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Source Naturals
Zeaxanthin and Lutein, two powerful antioxidants found in
fruits and vegetables, selectively concentrate in the retina of the eye to
form the macular pigment. Maintaining healthy macular pigment levels may
provide retinal protection against oxidative stress caused by normal UV
exposure on the aging eye.
The
macular region of the human retina is yellow in color due to the presence of
the macular pigment, composed of two dietary xanthophylls, lutein and
zeaxanthin, and another xanthophyll, meso-zeaxanthin. The latter is formed
from lutein in the retina.
Lutein has antioxidant properties and protects our eyes from free radicals.
Since lutein itself can not be produced by the body, its supply over our
food is even more important. It is taken up by all the carotenoids the
fastest. To ensure the best possible intake of lutein, it should be
carefully prepared with a little vegetable oil. However, it should not be
consumed with added fiber, since fiber blocks the absorption of lutein.
Protect your eyes! We use our eyes every day from dawn to dusk and
often do not value the health of our eyes.
The sensitivity and the complex
structure allows us a good vision. By reaching the age of 40, our natural
eyesight worsens. The eye accumulates photosensitizers in the retina, such
as lipofuscin, thereby making the retina the most susceptible to
light-initiated oxidative damage. Photoreceptors in the retina are neural
cells that do not undergo mitosis (i.e., the division of the parent cell’s
genome into two daughter cells). Once lost, these photoreceptors cannot be
restored, leading to degeneration of the retina, the continuing deleterious
accumulation of metabolic debris, and a resultant loss of vision. Therefore,
we must protect our vision: through supplement of necessary micro-nutrients
(especially those which the body does not form itself, such as the
carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin), through vitamins, and eye protection
against harmful light (UV light).
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