What is Lutein Good For?
May 8, 2023
If you’re over 40 make sure you’re getting enough lutein. Found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables and especially in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, lutein is an important antioxidant. Your body does not produce lutein but must be obtained through your diet or supplementation. Why is it so important and what is lutein good for?
In This Healthy Insight
- Lutein is Good for Your Eyes
- Lutein is Good for Your Skin
- Lutein May be Good for Your Heart
- How Much Lutein is Needed?
- Vision Myths and Facts
- Eye Exercises to Keep Vision Strong
Lutein is Good for Your Eyes
- Helps to reduce harmful free radicals
- Promotes sharper vision in low-light conditions
- Fosters faster glare recovery
- Filters high-energy, blue light from indoor lighting, sunlight, and digital screens
- Lutein, in conjunction with zeaxanthin can reduce the intensity of blue light by as much as 90 percent in the retina1
- Fortifies the macular region of the retina
- Works like an internal pair of sunglasses to protect vision
Lutein is Good for Your Skin
Many people recognize lutein as a supplement important for eye health, but researchers are now studying the effect of lutein when deposited throughout the skin. Study participants taking 10 mg. of an oral supplement containing FloraGLO® Lutein daily for 12 weeks showed measurable increases in skin hydration, skin elasticity, and a decrease in skin lipid peroxidation. Lipids are oily components within the skin critical to your skin’s appearance. Additionally, lutein provides a barrier that slows the loss of moisture in the skin.2
Lutein May be Good for Your Heart
The exact mechanism of lutein’s connection to cardiovascular health is not certain at this point. However, three studies published at the University of Southern California suggest that there may be a protective effect of lutein due to its antioxidant properties.3
How Much Lutein is Needed?
Research suggests you need 6-10 mg. per day of lutein to realize its benefits. Sadly, only half of Americans get just 1-2 mg of lutein each day. That’s just a fraction of what you need to give your eyes the nourishment they need. For that reason, many choose to use a daily supplement to get their lutein.
Vision Myths and Facts
Vision loss is the 3rd most common fear among adults, yet most do nothing about it because they believe the following 4 myths.
Myth No. 1 – Weakening vision is normal as you age.
FACT: If you nourish your eyes with the nutrients they need – such as lutein and zeaxanthin you can help keep your vision sharp for years to come.
Myth No. 2 – I can get all the lutein I need from my multivitamin.
FACT: Lutein protects the macula and absorbs blue light that’s harmful to the eyes. That’s why some multivitamins include it, however, it’s often in small amounts. Look for a vision supplement that gives you at least 10 mg of lutein.
Myth No. 3 – If I just eat healthy, I can get all the nutrients I need.
FACT: You’d have to eat…
- 2½ cups raw spinach
- 4½ cups canned green peas
- 6¼ cups cooked broccoli
- 7½ cups raw romaine lettuce
- 12½ cups cooked green beans
…every day!
Myth No. 4 – I’ll wait till I have real eye problems.
FACT: You could have vision issues and not even know it. Nutrients work best when you start taking them before you have serious eye problems.
Eye Exercises to Keep Vision Strong
Your eyes are like your muscles: use them daily, and you’ll keep them fit and healthy. Let them get lazy, and they’ll get weak.
Here’s an easy way to exercise your eyes every day.
Get on a computer and type up a page of random letters, ten down and ten across in ALL CAPS. Make one page 48-point type and another one in 14-point type.
Take the 48-point and tape it to the wall about 8-10 feet away from you. Cover one eye and read the letters. Then, hold a paper with 14-point type at arm’s length and read the letters with the same eye covered.
Switch eyes and repeat. Do this a few times a day and you’ll give your eyes a good workout. It’s great for keeping your focus sharp.
Combine this exercise, with a healthy diet, exercise and a supplement of lutein and zeaxanthin and you’ll have strong vision for life.
- Krinsky, N.E., et al., “Biologic Mechanisms of the Protective Role of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Eye,” Annu. Rev. Nutri. (2003) 23:71-201
- Palombo P, Fabrizi G et al. New Evidence for Efficacy of Lutein/Zeaxanthin in Skin Health. Beyond Beauty Paris 2006 Conference Abstract, 2006.
- Dwyer, J. H., M. Navab, et al, “Oxygenated carotenoid lutein and progression of early heart issues; Circulation (2001) 103(24):2922-7
FloraGLO® is a registered trademark of Kemin Industries, Inc. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.
