Lutein is a carotenoid that can help to protect the eyes. Find out if you should
take it, and what foods are good sources.
If
you or someone you know is getting on in years, you may want to consider
supplementing your diet with lutein. Lutein and another carotenoid, zeaxanthin,
form the yellow pigment of the retina and absorb blue light, which is a
potentially harmful component of sunlight. There is very good evidence that the
lutein in food helps protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, which
are common age-related eye disorders. The best thing you can do for your eyes
this month, and in the future, is to make sure your diet contains plenty of
lutein-rich produce, including:
Fruits - mangoes,
watermelon and tomatoes are good sources of lutein
Vegetables - corn,
sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, squash and dark leafy greens (such as kale,
collards and bok choy) provide lutein
In
addition to the foods listed above, you can get zeaxanthin from orange bell
peppers, oranges, and honeydew melon. I recommend eating five to seven servings
of fresh fruits and vegetables per day. If you are unable to get adequate lutein
through your diet, you may want to consider a vision-supportive supplement; talk
with your doctor.
No comments:
Post a Comment