Jack Challem
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 To reduce your long-term risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts, take 5 mg daily of lutein, either as lutein esters or unbound (free) lutein. For active retinal eye disease, try 15 to 30 mg daily of either lutein esters or unbound lutein. In addition, Pyc-nogenol, 100 to 150 mg twice daily, may be helpful in treating diabetes-related retinopathy.
• Kidney disease. High blood-sugar levels are toxic to the kidneys. N-acetylcysteine can often restore normal kidney function, if the damage is not too severe. Take 500 mg three times daily.
Poor circulation. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 In 2004, the lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST) found that subjects receiving lutein or lutein plus antioxidants showed a significant increase in macular density and in some measures, visual function. Virtually every expert now includes lutein and zeaxanthin (they are usually found together) in any formula for eye health and for the prevention of macular degeneration and adult vision loss.
The Power of Antioxidants
Both antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes and preserve your vision in a variety of ways. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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 The patient were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 was given 10 mg of lutein (a carotenoid that prevents oxidative damage to the retina); group 2 was given 10 mg of lutein and additional broad spectrum supplementation with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; and group 3 was given a placebo. The results of this study were once again excellent, with lutein or the lutein/broad spectrum group having a marked improvement in visual function (positive changes in macular pigment density, Snellen visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity). Patients who were on placebo had no significant changes. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| That diet effectively boosted the subjects' consumption of lutein about 400 percent and zeaxanthin about 300 percent. That same year it was found that the use of a lutein supplement can also increase the density of the protective macular pigment. You can, of course, get some lutein from foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, though probably not enough to get the full therapeutic effect of supplements. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
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 Our recommendations:
þ Lutein: Found in spinach, leafy green vegetables, and corn, lutein seems to improve the health of your eyes by preventing oxidative damage to your retina. You can also take it in supplement form at 6 to 30 milligrams daily.
þ Vitamin C: Research shows that people who eat more fruits and vegetables (which contain vitamin C and other bioflavonoids) are less likely to develop eye conditions than those who eat fewer. |
Marshall Editions
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 Supplements: Take 15 mgof lutein with a meal. lutein is an antioxidant in the carotenoid family, which can benefit the part of the retina where macular degeneration occurs. It also helps prevent oxidative damage. Zeaxanthin also prevents oxidative damage of the macula; take 3 mg with food. Taking 30 mg of zinc has been shown in some studies to be helpful for macular degeneration. Fish oils contain DHA, a substance concentrated in the retina of the eye, and the consumption of fish oils has been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration. |
Ann N. Martin
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 In particular, K9-Rx also contains two nutrients not found in commercial foods, Methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM) and lutein. MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound in animals (and humans) that supports joint and connective tissue health, which is extremely important as your pet ages. lutein stimulates immune response in canines.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are as essential to the health of our companion animals as they are to our health. As with humans, it is far better to derive vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat rather than from supplements. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| Lutein and its related compound, zeaxanthin, are highly concentrated in the macula, providing a yellow color known as the macular pigment, which protects the macula. You want that pigment to be dense, the better to protect your eyes.
A 1997 study found that subjects fed a diet high in spinach and corn experienced nearly a 20 percent increase in macular pigment density. What's the connection with those foods? That diet effectively boosted the subjects' consumption of lutein about 400 percent and zeaxanthin about 300 percent. |
Gary Null
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| Lutein. lutein is a yellow-pigment carotenoid found in vegetables and fruits. It acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals. Since it's not made in the body, lutein must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements.
This substance is important to all of us because it helps maintain eye health. Research shows that people with diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin are at a lower risk for degeneration of the macula, which is a part of the retina. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Our recommendations:
þ Lutein: Found in spinach, leafy green vegetables, and corn, lutein seems to improve the health of your eyes by preventing oxidative damage to your retina. You can also take it in supplement form at 6 to 30 milligrams daily.
þ Vitamin C: Research shows that people who eat more fruits and vegetables (which contain vitamin C and other bioflavonoids) are less likely to develop eye conditions than those who eat fewer. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| Supplements: Take 15 mgof lutein with a meal. lutein is an antioxidant in the carotenoid family, which can benefit the part of the retina where macular degeneration occurs. It also helps prevent oxidative damage. Zeaxanthin also prevents oxidative damage of the macula; take 3 mg with food. Taking 30 mg of zinc has been shown in some studies to be helpful for macular degeneration. Fish oils contain DHA, a substance concentrated in the retina of the eye, and the consumption of fish oils has been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration. |
Andreas Moritz
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 A recent study showed that consuming 6 mgs of lutein in your food per day reduces your risk of this disorder by a whopping 43 percent. Fresh corn is an excellent source of lutein.
Rice
This common food has anti-diarrheal and anti-cancer properties. Like other grains, rice contains anticancer protease inhibitors. Of all grains and cereals, it is the least likely to provoke bowel distress, such as intestinal gas or spastic colon. In Vata types, whole rice (brown) is excellent for constipation; it lowers cholesterol and tends to block development of kidney stones. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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| The results of this study were once again excellent, with lutein or the lutein/broad spectrum group having a marked improvement in visual function (positive changes in macular pigment density, Snellen visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity). Patients who were on placebo had no significant changes. These studies and many others show a clear clinical benefit from beta-carotene (with zinc and antioxidants) and/or lutein on visual function.
Women's Conditions: Beta-carotene and other carotenoids can reverse cervical dysplasia, aid the female reproductive system, and prevent yeast infections. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| We now know that lutein and zeaxanthin—two members of the carotenoid family that are emerging as the superstars of eye nutritionare vitally important for vision. lutein and its related compound, zeaxanthin, are highly concentrated in the macula, providing a yellow color known as the macular pigment, which protects the macula. You want that pigment to be dense, the better to protect your eyes.
A 1997 study found that subjects fed a diet high in spinach and corn experienced nearly a 20 percent increase in macular pigment density. What's the connection with those foods? |
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II
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 The people who consumed the most lutein, a specific type of antioxidant, had one-half the rate of cataracts as the people who consumed the least lutein. lutein is an interesting chemical because, in addition to being readily available in spinach, along with other dark leafy green vegetables, it also is an integral part of the lens tissue itself.46-47 Similarly those who consumed the most spinach had 40% less cataracts.
These two eye conditions, macular degeneration and cataracts, both occur when we fail to consume enough of the highly colored green and leafy vegetables. |
Ray D. Strand
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 Studies Show lutein Helps Protect the Eye
Patients who took lutein and zeaxanthine in supplementation were not only able to raise their blood levels of these nutrients but also significantly increased the levels within the eye. Macular pigment which protects the retina from being damaged, increased 20-40 percent in these studies, while blue light transmitted to the macular photoreceptors and macular pigment decreased nearly 40 percent. |
| It is actually more important to eat corn, leafy green vegetables, and collard greens because they contain high levels of carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthine.
Because lutein and zeaxanthine are yellow, they efficienuy absorb the blue light portion of visible light. Blue light is the major high-energy light that can damage the lens and the retina of the eye. When these two nutrients are present in the lens and macula, our eyes absorb blue light and minimize oxidative stress. They essentially act like internal sunglasses. |
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II
See book keywords and concepts |
| The people who consumed the most lutein, a specific type of antioxidant, had one-half the rate of cataracts as the people who consumed the least lutein. lutein is an interesting chemical because, in addition to being readily available in spinach, along with other dark leafy green vegetables, it also is an integral part of the lens tissue itself.46-47 Similarly those who consumed the most spinach had 40% less cataracts.
These two eye conditions, macular degeneration and cataracts, both occur when we fail to consume enough of the highly colored green and leafy vegetables. |
Jack Challem
See book keywords and concepts |
| For active retinal eye disease, try 15 to 30 mg daily of either lutein esters or unbound lutein. In addition, Pyc-nogenol, 100 to 150 mg twice daily, may be helpful in treating diabetes-related retinopathy.
• Kidney disease. High blood-sugar levels are toxic to the kidneys. N-acetylcysteine can often restore normal kidney function, if the damage is not too severe. Take 500 mg three times daily.
Poor circulation. Reduced circulation and fragile blood vessels are commonly associated with prediabetes and diabetes. |
Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
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 Other carotenoids (compounds similar to beta-carotene) such as lutein and zeaxanthin may be even more important than beta-carotene. A survey of 876 elderly individuals revealed that those whose intake of lutein plus zeaxanthin was high (top 20 percentile) were 56% less likely to have AMD, compared with those whose intake of these carotenoids was low (bottom 20 percentile).13 lutein has been shown to accumulate in the macula, where it protects against the damaging effects of certain light wavelengths. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 Capsaicin peppers are rich in a host of nutrients, including beta-carotene, eye-friendly carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, and vitamin C. Their vitamin C content is probably the reason they have been used as a popular natural remedy for colds and coughs. And, according to Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., eating red hot chile peppers raises your levels of feel-good endorphins. Hot peppers will definitely wake you up! They may also help lower "bad" cholesterol, though more studies are needed to confirm this.
Peppers for Pain Relief? |
Bill Sardi
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 British Medical Journal 326: 1003, 2003]
While vegetables provide important antioxidants like folic acid (required for DNA repair), lutein, beta carotene and lycopene, it is certain fruits that provide the all-important, iron-binding antioxidants, the polyphenols. |
Dianne Onstad
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 Lutein Along with zeaxanthin, an antioxidant and yellow carotenoid found in the eye. lutein filters out harmful blue light and protects against macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over sixty-five years of age. A member of the carotenoid family, lutein is found in deep green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and turnip greens.
Lycopene The pigment that gives tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guavas their red color. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant telated to beta carotene. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
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| If you're worried about arterial aging and memory, make sure you get the anti-inflammatory/antioxidant vitamins E and C and the homocysteine-lowering vitamins folate, B6, and B12; vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium; and lutein and lycopene. If you're concerned about osteoporosis, arthritis, or immune aging, pay careful attention to your intake of calcium, magnesium, selenium, lycopene, and vitamins B6, B12, and D.
Choices you might consider (talk to your doctor about these and all choices):
Coenzyme Q10
200 milligrams day (if on a statin) or for all over age sixty. |
Gary Null
See book keywords and concepts |
| Since it's not made in the body, lutein must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements.
This substance is important to all of us because it helps maintain eye health. Research shows that people with diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin are at a lower risk for degeneration of the macula, which is a part of the retina. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults.
Leafy green kale is a fine source of lutein. Other sources include spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, oranges and orange juice, carrots, and celery.
Lycopene. |
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