Eye doctors see bright future for lutein

A new star on the horizon

Research studies dating back from 1994 have, made some quite interesting and potentially revolutionary discoveries when it comes to eyes, their health and the role of lutein in promoting it. Namely, even then this substance was regarded as one of the quite important ones when it comes to healthy eyes. Given the immense potential that such research studies promoted, not long after there was a series of new ones that has continued up till this day making lutein one of the top recommendations of the eye care professionals and doctors. To back this claim up, as much as 91% of them is firmly convinced that lutein plays an essential role in boosting the overall eye health of the people in need of improving it.

According to the results of the recently conducted survey, 58% of the doctors who participated are strongly in favor of the claim that the carotenoid in question is the one nutrient that is most effective and beneficial in terms of promoting the best eye health, in the longer run.

Under the microscope

The nutrient in question can be primarily found in vegetables – dark green and leafy ones (e.g. spinach or kale). Additional sources that are fairly rich in lutein also include corn, as well as egg yolks. As mentioned above, the primary class this nutrient belongs to is the one of carotenoids, which are well known for their extremely beneficial effects in terms of providing aid in battling such ailments as cancer, heart disease, eye disease. In addition, they are also regarded as extremely beneficial when it comes to strengthening and boosting the body’s immune response. Even though vitamin A, beta-carotene and lycopene are also known to be vital members of the carotenoid family, what scientists and researchers have discovered is that lutein is the one which is by far most affluently present in the eye.

Manners in which this nutrient is known to directly benefit the eyes and promote their long-term health are:

By acting as a mild filter, it is known to provide eye protection against the harmful effects of the sunBy acting as an antioxidant, it safeguards eyes from the ill-effects of aging process

Given the fact that our bodies are not capable of producing that big amounts of lutein, we have to consume it by way of foods that are abundant in it. Even though there is no daily reference intake, what has the 1994 research revealed is that at least 6 mg (which amounts to one-third of a cup of cooked spinach, for example) on a daily basis could do wonders for one’s eyes and their health.