Selective Concentration of Carotenoids

First off – what is a carotenoid? We prefer to use the analogy of an apple – the skin protects the apple from turning brown. Once the apple is cut, oxidative stress turns the apple brown. Over time, particularly as we age, oxidative stress from harmful blue light can affect our macular pigment, which can damage central vision, and decrease visual performance.

Out of 600 carotenoids (protective pigments) found in nature, only two make it the eye: Zeaxanthin and Lutein. These crucial cartoenoids are found in the macula, and help protect the cones in the back of your eye responsible for central vision.

Carotenoid Break-down:

• 600 = In nature
• 50 = In the food chain
• 13 = In human plasma (all)
• 6 = In human plasma (major)
• 2 = In the eye

Lutein is readily available through fruits and vegetables, while Zeaxanthin is very scarce in the average daily diet. So, what are natural dietary sources of both Lutein and Zeaxnathin.

Here are a few fruits and vegetables that are good sources of Zeaxanthin and Lutein:

• Kale
• Collard greens
• Spinach
• Turnip greens
• Broccoli
• Squash
• Peas
• Goji berries
• Paprika peppers
• Lettuce
• Cornmeal
• Corn
• Brussels sprouts
• Orange and red peppers
• Tangerines
• Persimmons
• Egg Yolks

Nutrition and eye health are inextricably linked. Numerous studies provide scientific evidence that healthy eating habits, and specific dietary intake affect your vision health and performance.

We patented Zeaxanthin and pioneered the use of Zeaxanthin in eye health because getting adequate amounts of Zeaxanthin in the average daily diet is very difficult. For example, it would approximately 20 ears of corn to equal the 8-10mg of dietary Zeaxanthin found in an EyePromise® Restore softgel. Click here to learn more about EyePromise Restore.

Recommended Books

 

Eating for Healthy Eyes

Rob Davis, O.D., F.A.A.O. of Davis EyeCare in Oak Lawn, Illinois contributed this wonderful recipe book to promote eating for healthy eyes.

Click here to download Eating for Healthy Eyes.

Click here to learn more about Davis EyeCare.

EyeFoods

Eyefoods, A Food Plan for Healthy Eyes is a must-have informative book that gives you the necessary knowledge to make the food and lifestyle choices that will help preserve your eye health and fight eye disease.

Based on current scientific research, filled with tips and photos in an easy to read, pleasant format, it is a great book to keep handy and browse through frequently. You will learn something new each time you pick it up. Click here to learn more about the eyefoods book.

Recommended Websites and Articles

10 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

Carotenoid-Rich Roasted Red Pepper Soup Recipe

eyefoods.com

http://www.visionsimulations.com

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov

http://www.aoa.org

http://www.aoa.org/nutrition.xml