Lutein, zeaxanthin… add scientific evidence to eye nutrition
According to the data released by the World Health Organization, there are currently about 37 million blind people and 124 million people with low vision in the world, and the uncontrolled use of electronic products is one of the reasons. Parents help children protect their eyes and let them pay attention to eye health from childhood. But in the information age, it is not an effective way to prevent them from playing with mobile phones and computers! Therefore, nutritional intervention for eye health followed.
Lutein and zeaxanthin prevent retinopathy
The United States Cole Eye Institute Nutrients published an important study. Oxidative stress response (OS) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) are the main factors of photoreceptor degeneration, while lutein, RR – zeaxanthin (3R, 3’R – zeaxanthin), and RS (racemic) – zeaxanthin (3R, 3’S-RS – zeaxanthin) (L/Zi) can prevent cell damage by improving the OS in the retina.
In the experiment, 14 American male BALB/cJ mice (9-13 weeks old) were selected and divided into the treatment group (n=7) and the placebo group (n=7). Under the same conditions, they were raised under low illumination in the living room (14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness). Mice in the treatment group and the placebo group were given zeaxanthin (10 mg/kg) dissolved in sunflower oil (1 mg/ml) or equivalent sunflower oil as a placebo by daily oral tube feeding. The protective effects of lutein were analyzed by electroretinogram (ERG) and terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the potential mechanisms related to OS and ERS were studied by Western blot.
The results showed that the ERG amplitude was significantly increased and the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly decreased after observation. Western blot results showed that OS was improved with the significant down-regulation of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and the significant up-regulation of nuclear receptor factor erythrocyte-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In addition, with the significant down-regulation of 78kDa glucose regulatory protein (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and activated transcription factor 6 (ATF6), ERS decreased. It is suggested that lutein and zeaxanthin isomers can prevent light-induced retinopathy by reducing oxidation and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
At the same time, in sports nutrition, reaction time is the key. Using supplements to improve visual processing speed and other key performance indicators, such as glare and light stress recovery, provides new opportunities in different categories. A previous study by Eye and Vision pointed out that the supplementation of carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) can improve glare performance and light stress recovery dynamics.
This is a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in which 59 healthy young volunteers were screened. The subjects were supplemented with 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin (n=24), 20 mg lutein plus 4 mg zeaxanthin (n=25), or a placebo (n=10) every day for 12 months. It is evaluated by comprehensive measurement of glare visual performance, MPOD (customized heterochromatic scintillation photometry), and visual fatigue.
The results showed that during the one-year follow-up, the MPOD, glare visual performance, and light stress recovery of subjects in the two supplement groups were significantly higher than those in the placebo group, and significantly improved compared with placebo after 6 months, and further improved after 12 months.
Reliable scientific evidence is the effective evidence to support the benefits of supplementation of lutein, zeaxanthin on eye health. Only by meeting the eye nutrition needs can we better protect eye health. In addition, in terms of diet, we can eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, which is also conducive to the recovery of dry eye and visual fatigue. Eyes are sensitive and fragile. Only by properly protecting them and making them “work and rest”, can we better feel the colorful world with our eyes.
