Lutein and zeaxanthin: effects and foods that contain a lot of them

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids that are known to give vegetables their green or orange color. They are also structurally very similar, with only a small difference in the arrangement of their atoms. Both are powerful antioxidants and offer a number of health benefits. Carotenoids play an important role in eye health and preventing macular degeneration. In this article, we will tell you more about the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin and the foods that contain a lot of them. They can also be supplied to the body as a dietary supplement.

What are lutein and zeaxanthin?

food with lots of lutein and zeaxanthin spinach asparagus broccoli peas

Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that protect our bodies against unstable molecules called free radicals. In excess, they attack human cells and impair their function, which leads to various diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and Alzheimer's. Antioxidants protect the body's proteins, fats and DNA from oxidative stress and can even help in the synthesis of the amino acid glutathione. Their antioxidant properties reduce the effects of “bad” LDL cholesterol, which can reduce plaque build-up in the arteries and lower the risk of heart disease. These carotenoids seem to work better together and can fight free radicals more effectively when combined, even at the same concentration.

Lutein and zeaxanthin for healthy eyes

Green vegetables contain a lot of lutein

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids that accumulate in the retina, particularly in the macular region. The macula is located in the back of the eye and is essential for vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin act as important antioxidants by protecting the eye cells from harmful free radicals. It is believed that decreasing these antioxidants over time can affect eye health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin in the macular region

Your eyes are exposed to both oxygen and light, which in turn promotes the production of free radicals. The two carotenoids also act as natural sun protection by filtering out the high-energy components of the incident light. It is believed that they protect the eyes especially from harmful blue lights.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are good for eye health

Below are some diseases that lutein and zeaxanthin can help with:

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Taking can delay the progression of AMD and prevent blindness.
– Cataract: Cataracts are cloudy spots on the front of the eye. Consuming foods containing lutein can slow down their production.
Diabetic retinopathy: Animal studies in diabetes studies have shown that a dietary supplement can reduce the oxidative stress markers that damage the eyes.
Retinal detachment: Retinal detachment rats injected with lutein had 54% less cell death than rats injected with corn oil.
– uveitis: This is an inflammation of the middle eye skin (uvea). The two carotenoids can help reduce the associated inflammatory process.

Lutein and zeaxanthin support eye health

Research to support lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health is promising, but not all studies show positive effects. For example, some studies found no link between taking lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of early onset age-related macular degeneration. Adequate lutein and zeaxanthin intake is nevertheless crucial for general eye health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin for the skin

Lutein and zeaxanthin effects on the skin

The positive effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on the skin have only been discovered in recent years. Thanks to their antioxidant properties, they can protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun and in this way protect the skin cells from premature aging and UVB-induced tumors.

A two-week animal study showed that rats that received 0.4% lutein and zeaxanthin-enriched feed had fewer UVB-induced skin infections than those who received only 0.04% of these carotenoids.

Another study in 46 people with light and moderately dry skin showed that those who took 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin had a significantly better skin tone compared to the control group.

Lutein and zeaxanthin in the form of capsules

lutein and zeaxanthin capsules dosage

Lutein and zeaxanthin are widely recommended as dietary supplements to prevent vision loss or eye diseases. They are usually made from marigold flowers and mixed with waxes, but can also be made synthetically.

These supplements are particularly popular with older adults who are concerned about deteriorating eye health because carotenoids are often low in food.

Low lutein and zeaxanthine levels in the eyes are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts, while higher blood levels of these carotenoids are associated with an up to 57% lower risk of AMD.

Lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eyes from blue lights

dosage

There is currently no recommended food intake for lutein and zeaxanthin. The amount your body needs depends on the amount of stress it is exposed to. For example, smokers may need more of it because they tend to have lower carotenoid levels than non-smokers.

It is estimated that Germans consume an average of 1-3 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin per day. However, you may need a lot more to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, 6-20 mg of lutein a day is associated with a reduced risk of eye diseases.

Research results from the second Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2) showed that 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin caused a significant decrease in the progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Supplementation with 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin can also improve the general skin tone.

Lutein capsules have hardly any side effects

possible side effects

There appear to be very few side effects associated with lutein and zeaxanthin supplements. In a large eye study, no adverse effects of lutein and zeaxanthin preparations were found over a period of five years. The only side effect was a certain yellowing of the skin, which was not considered harmful.

However, one case study found crystal development in the eyes of an older woman who was taking 20 mg of lutein daily and was also on a high-protein diet for eight years. After she stopped taking the dietary supplement, the crystals in one eye disappeared, but remained in the other.

An overdose is rare and cannot be achieved through diet. Research estimates that 1 mg per kg of lutein and 0.75 mg per kg of zeaxanthin is safe. For a person weighing 70 kg, this corresponds to 70 mg lutein and 53 mg zeaxanthin.

A study in rats showed no adverse effects at daily doses up to 4,000 mg / kg body weight, which was the highest dose tested. More research is needed to assess the potential side effects of very high intake.

Food with lots of lutein and zeahanthin

Food with lots of lutein and zeahanthin kale

Although lutein and zeaxanthin are responsible for the bright colors of many types of fruit and vegetables, they occur in large quantities in green leafy vegetables. Interestingly, the chlorophyll in dark green vegetables masks the lutein and zeaxanthin pigments so that the vegetables have a green color.

Food with lots of lutein and Zeahanthin arugula

The main sources of these carotenoids include kale, parsley, spinach, broccoli and peas. With 218.14 µg lutein per 100 grams, kale is one of the best sources of lutein. Orange juice, honeydew melon, kiwi, red bell pepper, pumpkin, corn and grapes also contain a lot of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Lutein and zeaxanthine-containing foods, spinach and eggs

Fats improve the absorption of carotenoids, so it is a good idea to add healthy fats to your diet, such as some olive oil in a green salad or some ghee or coconut oil in the spinach pan. Eggs are an important source of both carotenoids because the high fat content of the egg yolk can improve the absorption of these nutrients in the body.

Food with lots of lutein and zeahanthin pumpkin

The best lutein and zeaxanthin-containing foods:

(Data per 100 g)

Bell pepper 18944 μg
Kale 18246 μg
Spinach 12198 μg
Swiss chard 11000 μg
Radicchio 8832 μg
Watercress 5767 μg
Arugula 3555 μg
Pistachios 2903 μg
Green peas 2593 μg
Lettuce 2312 μg
Summer squash 2249 μg
Brussels sprouts 1290 μg
Broccoli (cooked) 1080 μg
Pumpkin (cooked) 1014 μg
Courgette (cooked) 1150 μg
Spring onions 1137 μg
Yellow sweet corn (cooked) 906 μg
Jalapenos 861 μg
Asparagus (cooked) 771 μg
Carrots (cooked) 687 μg
Flax seeds 651 μg
Fennel 607 μg
Dried peaches 559 μg
Fried eggs 543 μg
Olives (black, green, jumbo) 510 μg
Poached eggs 501 μg
Boiled artichokes 394 μg
Hard-boiled eggs 353 μg
Celery 283 μg
Avocado 271 μg
Oatmeal (cooked) 180 μg

Source: myfooddata.com

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