|
by Zoraida DeFreitas, Ph.D.
|
The eye nutrient lutein (pronounced
LOO teen) has seen
steady growth in the dietary
supplement aisle of natural
food stores for more than five
years. Primarily due to the body of evidence
showing its role in long-term eye health. Now
manufacturers and consumers are discovering
additional benefits offered by this powerful
antioxidant.
For decades researchers have been studying
lutein—where it is found and what its
role is in nature. And since the early 1980s,
many scientists have investigated its role in
humans, with the major focus being eye
health. The majority of evidence indicates
that consumption of lutein, found abundantly
in dark green leafy vegetables, may
reduce the risk of eye diseases such as agerelated
macular degeneration (AMD) and
cataracts.
A close look at the research today, shows that eye health is only part of the Lutein story.
Lutein is an antioxidant, and its antioxidant properties have great potential for the body...
Recent scientific studies showing a clear
association between lutein intake and a
decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration
and cataracts are capturing the attention
of both consumers and their eye
doctors. The need is growing clearer:
- One out of four people aged 65 or older has early signs of AMD.
- One out of two people aged 65 or older has a cataract or cloudiness in the eye’s lens.
- As the largest population group in the United States ages, many people are facing the likelihood of what some simply accept as part of aging, vision loss.
A Food and Nutrition Board report
found that lutein is the nutrient most
strongly associated with decreased risk of
AMD and cataracts.
Lutein and Age -related Macular
Degeneration
Prevent Blindness America estimates that 13
million people in this country have evidence
of AMD, a condition that gradually destroys
central vision. While the exact cause of this
debilitating condition is still unknown,
family history and age are known factors.
Lutein is found in the macula’s “yellow
spot,” a tiny region at the center of the
retina. This tiny yellow spot filters blue light
for the color vision cells within the retina.
The researchers found that lutein is
deposited in the retina and macula,
increasing its density and protecting the
tissue from oxidation by filtering blue light
and quenching free radicals.
Experts say that by the time a person
exhibits symptoms of AMD the disease has
been developing for decades. Baby Boomers
are showing concern about their aging eyesight
and stocking up on supplement products
formulated with lutein to reduce risk of
age-related macular degeneration.
| Lutein-related research figure 1 |
Condition |
February 2003 |
February 2002 |
Eye health |
96 |
44 |
Cardiovascular health |
36 |
5 |
Breast cancer |
21 |
12 |
Diabetes |
9 |
3 |
Skin health |
8 |
6 |
Immune response |
6 |
5 |
| Source: Medline search, March 2003 |
|
Lutein and Cataracts
While cataracts generally occur in people
over the age of 65, they are occasionally
found in younger people as well. A cataract is
a clouding that develops in the normally
clear lens of the eye. This process prevents the lens from properly focusing light on the
retina at the back of the eye, resulting in a
loss of vision.
Lutein’s link to cataracts is recent but well
documented. Studies published in The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found
that women with the highest intake of lutein
and its fellow carotenoid antioxidant, zeaxanthin,
had a 22 percent reduced risk for
cataracts; men had 19 percent reduced risk.
|
Consumer Awareness of Lutein
Public awareness of the nutritional value of Lutein
has grown to 57.6 percent
Source: Medline search, March 2003 |
“Many people have been told that
nothing can be done about cataracts—that
they are a natural effect of the aging process,” says Robert Abel, Jr. M.D., author of The Eye
Care Revolution and member of the Lutein
Information Bureau Advisory Board. “But
they’re now finding out that dietary changes,
including consumption of lutein, may have a
significant impact on risk reduction.”
“Historically, much of the available information
about lutein has been focused on AMD
and cataracts because these were the area of
concern by the research community early on.
And consumers are very interested in eye
health, according to a number of surveys,”
says Amy Cone, product manager for
FloraGLO® Lutein at Kemin Foods. “A close
look at the research today, however, shows
that eye health is only part of the story. Lutein
is an antioxidant and its antioxidant properties
have great potential throughout the body
where lutein is naturally deposited, including
the skin, breast tissue and the cervix.
“This obviously makes lutein a critical
nutrient for women in particular,” she adds.
A recent search of the National Library of
Medicine’s Medline database shows the
number of eye health studies involving
lutein has doubled in the past two years to
96. Also more than 35 studies included
lutein’s role in cardiovascular health; 21
breast cancer studies included lutein; eight
studies discussed lutein activity in skin. Over
100 studies report the connection between
lutein and various other cancers.
Lutein is a compelling subject for scientists
looking at protecting organs and tissues
against oxidation, results in this area are
exciting and add to the convincing evidence
about lutein and its benefit to health.
Some Research Highlights:
- A 2001 observational study in humans and an intervention study of mice indicated that high levels of lutein in the serum help reduce thickening of arterial walls associated with cardiovascular disease.
- In 2001, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that subjects with the highest serum levels of lutein, betacryptoxanthin and beta-carotene had 50 percent less risk of developing breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of lutein.
- In 2001, researchers at Tufts University and the Catholic University in Seoul, South Korea, measured lutein and zeaxanthin in breast cancer patients and a control group, and found the highest level of lutein was associated with an 88 percent decrease in breast cancer risk compared to the lowest serum lutein level.
- A 2001 intervention study in mice showed that lutein helps reduce skin inflammation caused by UV-B radiation.
- A German study in 2000 showed that redness of the skin resulting from UV radiation exposure was significantly reduced after supplementation with carotenoids, including lutein.
While this is good news, the majority of
the U.S. population is not currently getting
enough lutein through their diet. Researchers
estimate that the average American consumes
just 1 to 2 mg/day of lutein and zeaxanthin.
The majority of the eye health studies, however,
suggest a consumption at least 6 mg/day
promotes better health.
Research in other areas has yet to define
any ideal or recommended levels, but current
published studies suggest that women in particular
may need more than 6 mg of lutein
per day to protect the eyes, the skin and the
breast as well as other organs where lutein
may play a role.
To bridge this gap in lutein consumption,
consumers need to eat more of the foods that
naturally contain lutein, including dark green
leafy vegetables. FloraGLO Lutein is an ingredient
that is identical to lutein in leafy green
vegetables. FloraGLO can be found in leading
multivitamins, supplements and eye health
formulas as well as a host of new fortified
foods and beverages available at natural foods
stores and mainstream grocery stores.
FloraGLO Lutein is found in a number of
dietary supplement products and is now an
approved ingredient for use in a number of
fortified food and beverage categories, including
breakfast and granola bars, fruit juices,
fruit drinks, ready-to-eat cereals, meal
replacement drinks, mixed vegetable drinks,
soy milk, nutritional bars, energy drinks, egg
substitutes, fermented milk and yogurt products.
This means consumers will soon have
even more opportunities to increase lutein
consumption, easily and conveniently.
Zoraida DeFreitas, Ph.D. is director of research and development at Kemin Foods.
Refrences:
- Dwyer, J.H., Navab, M. et al. (2001). “Oxygenated carotenoid lutein and progression of early atherosclerosis: the Los Angeles atherosclerosis study.” Circulation Vol. 103(24). pp. 2922–7.
- Toniolo, P., Van Kappel, A.L. et al. (2001). “Serum carotenoids and breast cancer.” Am J Epidemiol Vol. 153(12). pp. 1142-7.
- Kim, M.K., Ahn, S.H. et al. (2001). “Relationship of serum alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids and retinal with the risk of breast cancer.” Nutr Res Vol. 21. pp.797–809.
- Faulhaber, D., Granstein, R.D. et al. (2001). Lutein inhibits UVB radiation-induced tissues swelling and suppression of the induction of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in the mouse. The Society of Investigative Dermatology, 62nd Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.
- Stahl, W., Heinrich, U. et al (2000). “Carotenoids and carotenoids plus vitamin E protect against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans.” Am J Clin Nutr Vol. 71(3) pp. 795–8.
|
|
