Can lutein really protect eyes?

More than 90% of people are troubled by varying degrees of eye discomfort or suffer from various eye diseases, such as dry eyes, eye pain, eye fatigue, eye soreness, decreased vision, cataracts, etc. Lutein is an oxygen-containing carotenoid. It is an indispensable nutrient for the retina of the human eye. It is mainly concentrated in the most sensitive areas of the human eye - the macula of the retina and the lens. It can be said to be the "vitamin of the eye." It is the core nutrient that dominates vision.

However, lutein cannot be synthesized by the human body itself and must be continuously ingested and supplemented from food. Once it is lacking, it may cause eye diseases.It is said that lutein is good for eye health, but can it really protect the eyes?

Protect eyesight

Lutein has an important protective effect on the retina. Its deficiency can easily lead to macular degeneration and blurred vision, which may lead to vision degeneration, myopia and other symptoms. Lutein is the precursor of VA and can be converted into VA in the human body. The main physiological functions of lutein on the eyes are as antioxidants and photoprotective effects. The optic nerve cannot regenerate and is extremely susceptible to damage by harmful free radicals. The antioxidant effect of lutein can inhibit the formation of harmful free radicals. Lutein can absorb a large amount of blue light. The wavelength of blue visible light is close to that of ultraviolet light. It is the most potentially harmful light among the visible lights that can reach the retina. Before reaching the sensitive cells on the retina, the light first passes through the highest accumulation area of lutein. At this time, if the lutein content in the macula is rich, this damage can be minimized.

Antioxidant effect

The strong oxidative effect of lutein can inhibit the activity of reactive oxygen free radicals and prevent the damage of reactive oxygen free radicals to normal cells. Relevant experiments have proven that reactive oxygen free radicals can react with DNA, proteins, and lipids, weakening their physiological functions, and thereby triggering the occurrence of chronic diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, and age-related degeneration. Lutein can inactivate singlet oxygen through physical or chemical quenching, thereby protecting the body from harm and enhancing the body's immunity.

Reduce the incidence of cataracts

Cataract is the main eye disease causing blindness worldwide. The latest research proves that increasing the intake of lutein can achieve the purpose of improving fertility. It is currently believed that the mechanism is that lower macular pigment density is closely related to higher lens visual density in middle-aged and elderly people, and higher lens visual density is considered to be an obvious feature of cataract onset.

Blue light filtering

Current research suggests that lutein can effectively reduce oxidative damage to the retina mainly by reducing blue light intensity, thereby protecting the retina. The wavelength of blue light (435~480 nm) is very close to the wavelength of ultraviolet light (400~435 nm). It is the light with the highest energy and the most potential harm among all visible lights that can reach the retina. It can cause damage to the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor cells. At the same time, under blue light induction, the pigment epithelium continuously produces metabolites-lipofuscin and A2E, which can induce the production of reactive oxygen species, directly or indirectly lead to lipid peroxidation, thereby causing retinal epithelial cell apoptosis. The maximum absorption wavelength of lutein is exactly within the wavelength range of blue light. It forms a blue light filter in the retina of the human eye, reducing the probability of blue light reaching photoreceptors and retinal nerve cells, thus having a protective effect on retinal cells. In addition, some scholars believe that retinal macular pigment can weaken blue light and reduce the chromatic aberration of the optical system caused by the refraction of light of different wavelengths, thereby improving the clarity of images formed by the retina.

Anti-oxidize effect

As early as more than 30 years ago, researchers discovered that β-carotene has the ability to quench singlet oxygen. With continuous research, it has been discovered that not only β-carotene has antioxidant capabilities, but most carotenoids have antioxidant capabilities and can protect biological systems from damage caused by oxidative reactions. The lutein molecule contains 9 conjugated double bonds and has a hydroxyl group on the end group. These conjugated double bonds easily lose an electron and block free radical chain transmission. In addition, lutein can combine with lipids on cell membranes, effectively inhibiting the oxidation reaction of lipids, reducing the toxicity of oxidation products to the retina, thereby protecting retinal tissue. In vitro experiments have confirmed that lutein has the effect of quenching singlet oxygen and scavenging free radicals.

Improve signal conduction in the visual system

Some scholars believe that lutein can improve cell gap junction communication function, thereby improving visual function. Animal experiments have confirmed that the intake of foods with high lutein content (such as spinach) can effectively reverse the degradation of visual function caused by decreased nerve cell signal transduction and improve signal transmission in the visual system. However, there are few relevant studies and further research is needed to prove it.

Lutein has a bright yellow color, is insoluble in water, and is soluble in grease and ethanol. It has strong coloring power and is resistant to light, heat, acid, and alkali. It can be widely used for coloring food, health products, and medicines. Due to the strong and stable coloring ability of lutein, especially its various physiological effects on the human body, lutein is gradually being valued. The development and application prospects of lutein will be very broad. In China, lutein is being widely used as a feed additive. European and American countries have used lutein as a food additive to give food crystals their bright color.

Application in functional foods

Lutein has a prominent role in preventing vision loss and reducing the incidence of cataracts in the field of ophthalmology. In particular, it has been proven to be effective in preventing or improving vision loss and blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration of the retina. Studies have shown that taking 6 mg of lutein can reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Therefore, adding a certain amount of lutein to food is an effective way to maintain eye health and prevent eye diseases.

As food additives and pharmaceutical additives

Because lutein is safe and non-toxic, has strong coloring power, low dosage, bright color and good taste. In recent years, European and American countries have used it as food additives, as well as in the coloring of pharmaceutical sugar coatings and capsules, improving the appearance of food and pharmaceuticals and increasing people's compliance and liking.

Other uses

Lutein has excellent antioxidant effects and has a strong effect on preventing cancer, delaying aging, and removing harmful free radicals in the body. It can effectively improve the health of the human body and enhance the body's immunity.

HSF Biotech Produce Lutein/Lutein Ester:Important ingredients for eye protection

HSF Biotech is a leading manufacturer of nutritional supplements, and one of their most popular products is Lutein/Lutein Ester.

Lutein powder and lutein ester produced by HSF, as a nutritional supplement, provide consumers with powerful help in protecting eyesight. These two ingredients not only have good bioavailability and stability, but can also effectively reduce eye pressure and improve eye microcirculation, thereby reducing the risk of eye diseases.

HSF strictly controls the source of raw materials and production process during the production process to ensure the purity and safety of the products. At the same time, HSF also focuses on product innovation and research and development, and constantly launches new products that are more in line with consumer needs to meet the vision protection needs of different groups of people.

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