Vision Health Supplements and Macular Degeneration

There are supplements on the market for practically every aspect of health. There are even vision health supplements that are supposed to help improve vision and prevent the formation of cataracts. One supplement that is said to help with vision is Lutein.

Lutein is a powerful antioxidant that is found in green leafy vegetables and in egg yolks and animal fats.

Lutein is also present in the macula, the portion of the retina that is responsible for central or straight ahead vision and clarity. Research indicates that increasing the intake of Lutein is associated with a reduction in the instances of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This research also suggests that higher dosages of Lutein combined with zeaxanthin may lower the risk of cataracts and improve vision clarity in individuals with AMD by twenty percent of more.

AMD

Research into vision health supplements is ongoing due the prevalence of AMD in the aging generation. The AMD Alliance International has reported the majority of all AMD cases are the milder form that develops gradually over time, causing only a mild loss of vision. The addition of Lutein to the diet or in supplement form has proven to be beneficial in preventing this progression.

Lutein and Cataracts

Cataracts are another eye abnormality that can be helped by the addition of a vision health supplement such as Lutein. Research reports from a project known as the Beaver Dam Eye Study have shown that Lutein is also beneficial in the prevention of cataracts. This study and others like it have shown that study subject with an increase in Lutein had a significantly lower incidence of cataracts than subjects with no increase in Lutein.

Finding Lutein to Supplement Vision Health

Lutein can be found in dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, co9llards, green beans and broccoli. It is also present in papayas, oranges, corn, and egg yolks. The average person consumes between one and two milligrams per day, far less than what is considered therapeutic for vision health.

The answer to this is to add a vision health supplement that supplies the four to eight milligrams a day that is recommended. There are many vitamin and minerals supplements on the market that contain Lutein as an added ingredient. The majority of multi-vitamins include Lutein in some amount.
Before purchasing a Lutein supplement, consumers should check to see if the Lutein in the supplement is from a pure Lutein source or a synthetic Lutein. Some research suggests that synthetic Lutein, or Lutein esters, do not have the same health benefits that pure Lutein does. In addition to using a supplement, individuals should increase their intake of Lutein rich foods.
Worth Consideration
Even though research into lutein’s benefits as a vision health supplement is ongoing, there are no reasons not to add more Lutein rich food to the diet or even add a Lutein supplement. Loss of eyesight is a life changing trauma that might possibly be avoided by using Lutein. It is worth consideration as one can see from the research thus far.