Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for the bright red, yellow and orange colors in many fruits and vegetables. These pigments play an important role in plant health. People who eat foods containing carotenoids get protective health benefits as well.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the retina and lens of the eye. The results of epidemiological studies suggest that diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin may help slow the development of age-related macular degeneration.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high levels in collard greens and spinach, which appear to reduce risk of macular degeneration according to researchers at Harvard Medical School, after evaluating the diets of over 800 eye patients.
Eating these dark green leafy vegetables at least once a week was enough to begin lowering risk, with a 46 percent reduction in risk at a frequency of 2 to 4 times a week, and even greater benefit at 5 to 6 times per week.
A research team at the Veterans Medical Center in North Chicago finds that 10 mg a day of lutein reverses some parameters of macular degeneration. Nearly all of the patients supplementing lutein show improvement in contrast sensitivity, or reduction of blind spots. Take lutein separately from beta carotene, as the carotenoids compete for absorption.
