Dietary Carotenoids Lutein And Zeaxanthin

Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin include dark leafy greens peas summer squash pumpkin brussels sprouts broccoli asparagus lettuce carrots and pistachios.

Dietary carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. The eye is a major sensory organ that requires special care for a healthy and productive lifestyle. The carotenoids found in the retina are lutein and zeaxanthin which are both of dietary origin and meso zeaxanthin which is derived from lutein. Mol nutr food res.

One dietary factor that has been shown empirically to improve chromatic contrast glare disability and discomfort photostress recovery visibility and temporal processing speeds are the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin 2 4 6 8. Carotenoids are pigments that are found widely in plants and are often studied for their roles as antioxidants and anti inflammatories. Lutein and zeaxanthin provided a small benefit significantly greater for those who had the lowest intake of dietary lutein.

Like other carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to play a role in maintaining eye health and preventing macular degeneration. Epub 2019 apr 26. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the retina particularly the macula region which is located at the back of your eye.

10 of the carotenoids the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin l and z appear to be especially important in the central nervous system. A randomized double masked placebo controlled trial. 11 l and z and their isomers such as meso zeaxanthin are found in.

Carotenoids are a class of pigments carotenes and xanthophylls found primarily in green leafy vegetables. The macular carotenoids are dietary lutein and zeaxanthin and their conversion isomer meso zeaxanthin which are non provitamin a carotenoids i e it cannot be converted into vitamin a. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoid pigments that impart yellow or orange color to various common foods such as cantaloupe pasta corn carrots orange yellow peppers fish salmon and eggs.

This paper is intended to provide scientific and educational information only. Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin and the metabolite meso zeaxanthin are concentrated 25 of the total carotenoids in the macula region of healthy eye as a y ellow spot but considerably less in. Important members of oxygenated carotenoids are lutein zeaxanthin β cryptoxanthin capsanthin astaxanthin and fucoxanthin.