Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation improves measures of visual performance in healthy adults
At a Glance
A new study
shows that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin—compounds contained
naturally in green, leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach—may
improve measures of visual performance such as photostress recovery and
the response to glare conditions.
Read more about this research below.
Read more about this research below.
Dietary carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are plant-derived pigments that concentrate in the inner layers of the macula region of the eye. The macular pigments act much like a sunscreen within the eye to protect the delicate tissues of the retina. It is well known that sufficient levels of these carotenoids reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the elderly. Less is known of the benefits of supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin in young, healthy adults.
A new double-blind placebo controlled study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
assessed the link between higher macular pigment optical density (MPOD)
resulting from supplementation to improvements in glare disability,
photostress recovery, and other measures of visual performance.
The
study included 115 young, healthy adults who either received a
supplement containing a daily dosage of 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg
zeaxanthin or a placebo over a one year supplementation period. Several
measurements were collected at baseline and every 3 months: serum lutein
and zeaxanthin, MPOD, photostress recovery, chromatic contrast and
glare disability. MPOD is a measure of the amount of macular pigment
present in the macular. Photostress recovery is a measure of how fast
the eye recovers sight after being exposed to a flash of bright light.
Chromatic contrast is the ability to discriminate an object from its
colored surroundings. Glare disability is a measure of the amount of
glaring light that can be tolerated before vision is significantly
impaired.
MPOD
and serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels increased significantly in the
treatment groups versus placebo. In the supplemented group, chromatic
contrast and photostress recovery times improved significantly versus
placebo during the study period. The researchers also found that
improvement in glare disability was highly correlated to increased
macular pigment density.
The
results of the current study demonstrate that lutein and zeaxanthin
supplementation improves several measures of visual function in normal
healthy individuals and adds to evidence from previous studies that
increased MPOD results in improved visual performance.
Hammond
BR et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of
lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and
chromatic contrast. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Dec 2;55(12):8583-9.
Labels: eye health, glare, lutein, nutritional supplements, visual function, zeaxanthin
2 Comments:
I have my catarat both side of my eyes two months im taking my USANA VISIONX.
I have my catarat both side of my eyes two months im taking my USANA VISIONX.
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