Lutein I care™ Antioxidant

... Antioxidant Macular Support* with Beta Carotene, Zinc & Copper

Highlights

• Helps protect the retina, macula & lens from oxidative and free-radical damage*

• Helps safeguard against blue and ultraviolet (UV) light damage to the macula and retina*

• Especially important for people with light-colored irises (pupils), and people who smoke*

• Promotes production of super oxide dismutase (SOD), which protects the eye from free-radical damage*

Eye Health & Free Radicals

Proper nutritional support for the retina and lens is critical to maintaining healthy eyes. Several factors such as smoking, diabetes, injury, supplemental steroids, excess exposure to pollution, sunlight or radiation can all damage parts of the eye. Most of these factors create free radicals that can damage the delicate structures of the eye and result in poor eyesight. Phytonutrients and antioxidants from food and supplements can protect our eyes from these damaging free radicals by neutralizing, or “scavenging” them.*1

Lutein I care Benefits

Carotenes:  There is much interest in carotenoids as protective factors for maintaining good eye health.  Lutein and zeaxanthin are specific carotenoids that are concentrated in the yellow pigment in the macula and appear to specifically protect the macula.*2  Like beta carotene, the more well-known carotenoid, lutein and zeaxanthin are also potent antioxidants.

A large multicenter human study looked at the relationship between lutein and zeaxanthin, among other nutrients, and protection of the macula. The researchers found that people eating 5.8 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin from dietary sources are much more likely to have healthy, undamaged macula.*2  That’s almost 3 cups (1 ounce) of fresh, chopped spinach every day. In the Nurses’ Health Study, involving over 100,000 nurses, significant protection for the lens of the eye was also evident from eating spinach. The researchers suggested that lutein may be the protective carotenoid in spinach.*3

Another study determined that people supplementing with the equivalent of 30 mg per day of lutein raised lutein levels, or density, of the macular pigment.*4  Nature’s Life Lutein i care™ Antioxidant supplement also contains natural beta carotene, alpha carotene and cryptoxanthin in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin.  Foods high in carotenoids have also been linked to maintenance of unclouded, transparent lenses.*5  Researchers report that people who eat a diet high in these carotenoids have healthier retinas and maculas.*2,6

Minerals:  Zinc activates two critical enzymes, retinol dehydrogenase and catalase.7  Retinol dehydrogenase converts vitamin A to the more active form used in visual purple. Seeing well in dim light requires adequate amounts of visual purple. The inability of people with liver damage to see well at night has been linked to abnormal zinc metabolism.7  The enzyme catalase is an antioxidant enzyme that also protects the eye from oxidative damage.*7

Both of the essential minerals zinc and copper are crucial for general eye function and to produce the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).*8  Zinc’s ability to activate this key antioxidant enzyme may play a critical role in protecting the macula and the lens from oxidative damage resulting from sunlight.*

Ingredient Highlights

Nature’s Life uses only FloraGLO brand lutein from Kemin® Foods in Lutein i care™ Antioxidant.  FloraGLO Lutein is a bright yellow-orange pigment naturally extracted, purified and crystallized from marigold petals (Tagetes erecta) providing standardized amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin E, rosemary and citric acid add natural protection for the delicate carotenoids to ensure maximum potency. In foods lutein and zeaxanthin are found abundantly in spinach, kale, broccoli and other green leafy vegetables, as well as papaya and mango.

Nature's Life uses only natural marine source carotenes derived from the unique microalgae, Dunaliella salina.  Unlike synthetic all trans-beta-carotene, natural beta-carotene is a mixture of cis and trans forms. Standardized D. salina from Henkel® contains cis- and trans-beta-carotene in a concentrated 50%/50% mixture.

Zinc gluconate and copper gluconate are readily absorbed and used by the body. Studies of elderly populations have found that few people get enough zinc in their diets (7-10 mg daily is typical). Elderly low-income people are at real risk of consuming less than 50% of the RDI for zinc.9 While severe zinc deficiency is rare in the U.S., marginal deficiencies are increasingly common. Fiber in food hampers zinc absorption.9  Taking copper promotes the synthesis of super oxide dismutase (SOD).10  Oral SOD supplements are very poorly absorbed, and SOD supplements are not recommended.11 

References

1. Florence TM. The role of free radicals in disease. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol 1995;23:3-7.

2. Seddon JM, Ajani UA, Sperduto RD,et al.  Dietary carotenoids, vitamin A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. JAMA 1994;272:1413-20.

3. Hankinson SE, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al.  Nutrient intake and cataract in women: A prospective study. BMJ 1992;305(6849):335-9.

4. Landrum JT, Bone RA, Joa H, et al.  A one year study of the macular pigment: The effect of 140 days of a lutein supplement. Exp Eye Res 1997;65:57-62.

5. Knekt P, Heliovaara M, Rissanen A, et al.  Serum antioxidant vitamins and risk of cataract. BMJ 1992;305:1392-4.

6. Goldberg J, Flowerdew G, Smith E, et al.  Factors associated with age-related macular degeneration. Am J Epidemiol 1988;128:700-10.

7. Anonymous. Zinc chelators and the eye.  Nutr Rev 1982;40:218-20 [review].

8. Fridovich I.  Oxygen : Aspects of its toxicity and elements of defense. Curr Eye Res 1984;3:1-2.

9. Greger JL. Mineral bioavailability/new concepts. Nutr Today 1987;22(4):4-9.

10. Harris ED. Copper as a cofactor and regulator of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase. J Nutr 1992;122:636-40.

11. Regnault C, Soursac M, Roch-Arveiller M, et al. Pharmacokinetics of superoxide dismutase in rats after oral administration. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1996;17:165-74.