Articles about Eye Health and Disease from 2000 and earlier:
 

Lutein is Becoming a Common Additive in Over-the-Counter Vitamins

Lutein is a carotenoid especially found in certain leafy green vegetables. It, along with another carotenoid zeaxanthin, is found in the eye. Beta-carotene is also a carotenoid, and is more widely known. However, Beta-carotene is not found in the eye. It is felt that carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin provide an antioxidant effect within the eye, and may also absorb ultraviolet light. Does increased lutein consumption have any beneficial effect toward the health of the eye?

Several studies seem to indicate that increased consumption of foods known to be rich in lutein provide a protective effect against development of cataract and age-related macular degeneration. One large study involving 77,000 female nurses indicated that those with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin had a 22% lower risk of cataract extraction than those with the lowest consumption. A similar study indicated a 19% lower risk of cataract extraction in men. The greatest protective effect was seen with consumption of about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of spinach a day, which contains about 6 mg of lutein per day.

Another study looked at food consumption in patients with known age-related macular degeneration. Those with the highest intake in foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin had a significantly lower risk of worsening of their disorder, even when one eye had already been severely affected. Those patients consuming these foods on a daily basis had lower risk than those with more occasional consumption.

These, and other studies, seem to indicate a beneficial effect of lutein on the health of the eye, especially in preventing cataract and age-related macular degeneration. This effect is dose dependent. That is, the more lutein that is consumed, the more protection is achieved. Note, however, that these studies looked at consumption of foods known to contain lutein. While lutein is definitely known to be in the eye, there may be other carotenoids present in foods which are also important that have yet to be discovered. Lutein cannot be synthesized by the body, but zeaxanthin can be synthesized from lutein. Thus, vitamin supplements generally contain only lutein. Foods known to be rich in lutein and zeaxanthin include:

• Kale at 21,900 (micrograms/100 Grams)

• Collard Greens at 16,300 (micrograms/100 Grams)

• Spinach at 12,600 (micrograms/100 Grams)

• Mustard Greens at 9,900 (micrograms/100 Grams)

• Celery at 3,600 (micrograms/100 Grams)

Thus, the vegetables especially rich in lutein were kale, spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens. While other foods have some lutein content, it may not be enough to be beneficial. In people who desire the protective effect of lutein, but are not able or willing to eat these foods on a daily basis, vitamin supplementation can be considered. For example, Ocuvite with Lutein has 6 mg of lutein, which appears to be an adequate protective daily dosage of lutein.

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