The organ of vision provides most of the perception of information from the external environment. With foodstuffs come vitamins, trace elements and other substances that are not synthesized in the body, but are necessary for the normal functioning of the eyes. Zeaxanthin and Lutein are preparations containing keratinoids that have protective, nutritional and antioxidant functions. It is important to know when these funds are needed and how to take them correctly.

What kind of drugs?

"Zeaxanthin and Lutein" - dietary supplements for the eyes, which are used to improve the condition of the visual organ and prevent the occurrence of disorders. The main elements - lutein and zeaxanthin - form the basis of this remedy. Normally, they are located in the central part of the macula - the corpus luteum of the eye, through which ultraviolet rays pass. Keratinoids protect the eyes from excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation by performing a barrier function.

You can not take dietary supplements, but independently provide the required amount of irreplaceable substances. To do this, you need to eat the food where they concentrate every day. Lutein is found in foods such as fresh green leafy vegetables. Zeaxanthin is derived from lutein. The body should receive 5 mg of keratinoids per day, which can be provided in the spring and summer. But in winter, accordingly, there will be a deficiency and their content in the body will significantly decrease.

Taking medications is indicated during the rehabilitation period, after surgical intervention on the organs of vision.

Keratinoids also perform the following functions:

• act as antioxidants;
• neutralize free radicals;
• protect the lens from oxidation;
• pass to the photoreceptors a boundary amount of ultraviolet rays;
• inhibit the degeneration of cells of the retina, lens;
• provides restoration of the organ of vision after operations.

The dietary supplement with zeaxanthin and lutein also includes additional substances:

• a nicotinic acid;
• vitamin E, A;
• sea ​​buckthorn oil;
• zinc;
• vitamin C;
• B vitamins.

Indications

• long-term work at the computer;
• drop in vision;
• overexertion of the eyes;
• in the preoperative period and after eye surgery;
• violation of vision at dusk;
• age-related changes in visual acuity.

In cold weather, it is recommended to protect vision by using dietary supplements.

Supplements are recommended to be used to prevent disorders of the visual organ, especially in cold weather, when it is impossible to provide the eyes with vitamins and keratinoids with food. For myopia or farsightedness of congenital origin, Zeaxanthin and Lutein is also useful because the eyes need additional protection from ultraviolet rays. This drug is able to create the required concentration of keratinoids in the macula macula, which lasts for some time.

Dietary supplements with zeaxanthin and lutein are especially indicated when working with reading and using a computer, since in such cases a powerful ultraviolet load is constantly applied to the visual analyzer.

Application

"Lutein and Zeaxanthin" should be taken 1 capsule 1 time per day with meals. The drug should be taken with boiled or still mineral water. The course of treatment or prevention is individual for each patient and should be determined by the attending physician. To obtain the desired effect and long-term protection of the organ of vision, you need to use the drug for 3-6 months daily. This is a biological supplement, which contains only vitamins, so long-term use cannot harm the patient.

Contraindications

The drugs are prohibited for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for children under 14 years of age.

• individual hypersensitivity to the constituent components of the drug;
• period of pregnancy;
• lactation;
• age up to 14 years.

These contraindications are absolute, since the use of the drug in such cases can lead to undesirable consequences. The negative effect of "Zeaxanthin and Lutein" on the fetus has not been proven, since research in this area has not been carried out, but it is better to take this drug prophylactically after pregnancy and lactation. The prohibition of the use of the drug for children under 14 years old is based on the fact that the processes of growth and formation are rapidly going through in their body, all functions are not yet perfect, therefore, no load of biological additives is needed.

An allergic reaction to the drug is possible and it is strictly forbidden to take it if hypersensitivity to one of the components is proven. To prevent such effects, it is recommended to carry out allergic tests before using the product. It is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist and get an appointment for the use of dietary supplements.

It is no secret that nutrition is one of the main factors that determine the normal growth and development of the body, homeostasis, performance and human health. It is clear to nutritionists that in order to satisfy the formula of a balanced diet, a modern person, taking into account adverse environmental factors, needs about 600 biologically active substances (BAS) every day for a variety of biochemical reactions, among which not only proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals should be present, but also such classes of biologically active substances as flavonoids, indoles, carotenoids, etc. Obviously, an adequate intake of biologically active substances requires an increase in the intake of food, which by itself leads to an increase in the level of energy consumption in comparison with the level of energy expenditure of people, ultimately the result is overweight.

Unfortunately, most diets in modern sports, including fitness and bodybuilding, operate only with such concepts as calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and therefore do not completely correspond to the formula of a healthy balanced diet. On the one hand, these diets allow solving fundamental problems - increasing speed-strength indicators, endurance, general performance, but on the other hand, they completely do not take into account the needs of certain organs and body systems for specific biologically active substances, which are important protectors (defenders) for them.

Not so long ago, in the pages of the magazine "Hercules", I already wrote about one "protector" of the cardiovascular system, namely, coenzyme Q10. Today we will talk about even more exotic "protectors", but this time for our eyes - lutein and zeaxanthin.

What are Lutein and Zeaxanthin?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, plant pigments that give plants a bright yellow to orange-red color. In green leaves, carotenoids are usually invisible due to the presence of chlorophyll, but in autumn, when chlorophyll is destroyed, it is the carotenoids that give the leaves their characteristic yellow color. In nature, these substances are necessary for plants to absorb excess light energy, which can be very dangerous for them, especially from high-energy rays called "blue light".

It should be noted that in nature there are about 600 different carotenoids, but only 20 of them are found in the human body. All carotenoids in the human body have an antioxidant function. Among the best known are alpha, beta and gamma carotenes from carrots, astaxanthin from red fish, and lycopene from tomatoes.

So why are we only looking at lutein and zeaxanthin? The fact is that, despite a similar mechanism of work, different carotenoids accumulate in different ways in different tissues of the organs of the human body. Why this is so at the moment is not known to science.

For example, lycopene accumulates predominantly in the prostate gland, carotenes in the skin, and lutein and zeaxanthin in the eyes. Therefore, for eye protection, these carotenoids are a priority.

Background for Lutein and Zeaxanthin

In Western Europe, the main cause of visual impairment is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or retinal dystrophy. AMD is a chronic disease that affects the most important area of ​​the eye - the macula (this is the part of the retina located at the posterior pole of the eyeball). Macula (macula) is responsible for central vision, so its normal function is important for everyday activities - reading, writing, working at the computer and in sports such as clay pigeon shooting, biathlon, etc. If the macula is affected, it can lead to visual disturbances such as distorted lines, objects, or spots in the visual field. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment at the present time, therefore, the main role is assigned to the prevention of the disease.

Functions of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina

In 1945, Dr. Wald first formulated the theory that the color of the macula of the retina is a consequence of the presence in it of a special class of pigments. Later, in 1985, the researcher Bone and co-authors were able to show that we are talking about the "yellow" carotenoids - lutein and zeaxanthin.

They are called "macular pigments" and must come from food, as the human body is unable to synthesize carotenoids on its own or convert other carotenoids, such as a- and b-carotene, into lutein and zeaxanthin. The retina and macula contain only lutein and zeaxanthin, they do not contain other carotenoids such as beta-carotene or lycopetin, which are normally found in the blood and other tissues of the body.

Both carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, are responsible for two functions: filtering the blue part of the light spectrum and antioxidant action. Macular photoreceptors are very sensitive to the energy-rich blue portion of the visible spectrum. The chemical properties of lutein and zeaxanthin allow carotenoids to absorb blue light. They are located in the retina between the incident light and the photoreceptors, so they can be called “inner sunglasses”. In addition, the photoreceptor membrane facing light contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids and is therefore subject to oxidative stress with the formation of highly reactive oxygen species ("free radicals").

Given the good blood supply (as a result, a good oxygen supply) and strong illumination, the retina is an ideal environment for the formation of highly reactive oxygen species. In this regard, antioxidant defense mechanisms are of particular importance.

Both mechanisms - protecting the retina from the blue end of the spectrum and free radicals - can reduce the damaging effects on the retina throughout life and thus reduce the risk of developing degenerative diseases (such as AMD).

Accordingly, the retinal carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are suggested to play an important role in the prevention of age-related degenerative eye diseases. This theory is now supported by animal studies. An interesting fact is that, as a result of various diagnostic techniques, it was found that the density of macular pigment is lower in women, in people with light eyes, in smokers, and in people who are overweight, as well as in athletes.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Foods

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in all yellow and orange foods and leafy vegetables. The champion in the content of lutein and zeaxanthin of the total number of carotenoids is egg yolk (more than 85% of the total), and in second place is corn (more than 60%), then orange peppers with the highest amount of zeaxanthin (37% of the total), a significant the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin (30-45%) is also present in kiwi, spinach, cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, leafy greens, zucchini. Despite the fact that lutein and zeaxanthin are part of commonly consumed foods, each of us consumes at best 20-40% of the recommended daily intake of both carotenoids with food every day.

Free lutein or lutein ether, what's the difference?

The substances contained in food must be absorbed in the intestine, and only then they show their biological effect (i.e. the substances must be bioavailable). Currently, two forms of lutein are used in dietary supplements: free unesterified lutein, which is found in green vegetables, and lutein ester, i.e. a form of lutein as a fatty acid ester that is found in yellow and orange fruits.

The lutein ester must be destroyed in the intestine, i.e. hydrolyzed to free lutein, which is then absorbed. Hydrolysis is a normal process in the absorption of fat. To date, there have been four studies that directly compare the bioavailability of free lutein and lutein ester. In summary, it has been shown that the bioavailability of carotenoids in ester form is at least the same as in free form. Therefore, it makes no difference in what form you buy lutein. What is fundamentally important to take into account when taking carotenoids in the form of dietary supplements is that all carotenoids are a lipidophilic group of substances, that is, for their absorption in the small intestine, dietary fats are needed, if they are absent, lutein and zeaxanthin are absorbed very poorly.

And this applies not only to dietary supplements, but also to food. If you, say, make a salad of orange peppers, leafy greens, lettuce leaves, corn, but do not add vegetable oils to it, the carotenoids from such a salad are practically not absorbed. Therefore, the following recommendation is to use dietary supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin after meals with a spoonful of any vegetable oil.

Recommended Daily Values ​​for Lutein and Zeaxanthin

It should be noted that consuming lutein and zeaxanthin over a long period of time is not harmful to health. This is the conclusion reached by experts at the FAO / WHO meeting on food additives. According to the commission's assessment, the permissible daily intake of lutein is 2 mg per day per 1 kg of body weight. Thus, a person weighing 50 kg can safely take up to 100 mg of lutein (plus zeaxanthin) from marigold (Tagetes erecta) daily. However, as a result of numerous studies, it has been established that much smaller amounts are physiologically effective: the level of lutein in the blood and the density of macular pigment are significantly increased when taken from 6 to 12 mg per day, and zeaxanthin from 0.5 to 2 mg per day.

It is also worth noting that an increase in macular pigment density is noted only 3 months after taking a supplement containing 12 mg of lutein and 1 mg of zeaxanthin. And the best results should be expected no earlier than after 3-6 months of taking. Therefore, if you decide, just in case, to drink a can of carotenoids for a month to improve vision, most likely you will spend money on the wind.

What to look for when choosing dietary supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin

1. Look for a supplement that contains both carotenoids. Remember that lutein does not convert to zeaxanthin and vice versa.
2. It is not recommended to use lutein and zeaxanthin separately, as this leads to their non-physiological distribution in the retina.
3. Choose a 5: 1 lutein to zeaxanthin supplement.
4. Choose manufacturers of lutein and zeaxanthin softgel supplements. In this case, protection from the fool works, since in such a capsule both carotenoids will be mixed with oils (soybean, sunflower, etc.), which will improve their absorption in the small intestine, if suddenly there was no oil at hand to drink the supplement.
5. It is desirable that the jar be labeled with the manufacturer of the lutein and zeaxanthin ingredients. The fact is that virtually all companies producing dietary supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin are simply packers, buying ready-made raw materials on the side.

At the moment, there are two large companies, each of which produces raw materials using its own patented technology from medicinal marigolds or simply calendula.

One of them is the American company Kemin, one of the first in 1994 that began the industrial production of lutein and produces it under the FloraGlo lutein brand, and the OmniActive company, which has offices in America, Canada and even India, produces lutein and zeaxanthin under the brands Lutemax Lutein, Lutemax 2020, OmniXan.

For example, we bought a supplement from the manufacturer Solgar, turned the can over and looked at Supplement Facts, saw the inscription Lutein (FloraGlo) (supplies zeaxanthin), concluded that this supplement is good, you can drink it.

Lutein is a plant pigment from the group of carotenoids, an antioxidant that protects our eyesight. There are about a thousand carotenoids in the plant world, and the most famous of them, perhaps, is beta-carotene - this antioxidant is necessary for the health of absolutely all mucous membranes. It is also largely necessary for vision - vitamin A, which is formed from beta-carotene, is necessary for the synthesis of rhodopsin (retinal visual pigment).

Previously, scientists suggested that beta-carotene gives the yellow color of the macula of the eye. Further research has established that the cause of the yellow macula is lutein. Only lutein and zeaxanthin are able to penetrate into the tissues of the eye, they are not formed in the body, we must receive them with food throughout our life (zeaxanthin is an isomer of lutein, therefore, a certain amount is formed directly in the retina from lutein).

Damaging effect of light

Everyone knows that through sight a person receives 80-85% of all information, but few people think that, together with information, light poses a threat to the body and eyes in the first place. Under the influence of light in the retina rich in fatty acids and oxygen, there is a constant formation of free radicals, which are called "killer cells". And the intense blood flow around the eyes spreads free radicals throughout the body.

The center of the retina (macula) is responsible for central vision, provides us with a color vision of the world and clarity of perception (80% of visual acuity depends on this tiny area), for this, the macula is even devoid of blood vessels so that they do not interfere with light rays directly on the photoreceptors. The luminous flux is focused on the macula, but not all rays are useful for the eyes, the blue-violet (SF) part of the spectrum, which has more energy and a wavelength of 400-490 nm, is aggressive for the photosensitive apparatus. These rays can lead to retinal burns, clouding of the lens, and increase the risk of developing cataracts. The degree of the damaging effect of the SF spectrum increases near water.

Protective action of lutein and zeaxanthin

Lutein has three functions: absorbing, shielding and antioxidant.

The first two functions are that lutein is able to act as a natural light filter: partially absorbing, partially scattering SF rays and ultraviolet light. As a result, the clarity of vision is increased by reducing the so-called chromatic aberration, the phenomena of decomposition of light into its components when passing through the lens (in this case, the lens). The number of SF rays reaching the macula with its highly sensitive photoreceptors (the so-called cones) decreases.

It has been experimentally established that the higher the density of the macular macula (the content of lutein in the macula), the less the likelihood of lens clouding, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration.

Antioxidant Function of Lutein and Zeaxanthin lies in the ability to trap oxygen molecules out of control and reduce their aggressive effect on the body.

Another remarkable property of lutein, apparently related to its antioxidant properties, is decreased lipofuscin levels- brown pigment that accumulates in cells with age.

Thus, lutein and zeaxanthin act as the main components of the antioxidant defense system of the retina and are first-order antioxidants that protect the retina and lens from free radicals. These carotenoids have the highest rates of antioxidant reactions, while lutein serves for a prompt response to threats, and zeaxanthin has a prolonged (distributed over time) effect.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Consumption Rates

The optimal ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin is 4: 1 to 6: 1, the best being 5: 1. Therefore, the intake of zeaxanthin should be 1–2 mg.

Foods containing lutein

Lutein is found, as one would expect, in vegetables and fruits predominantly of yellow-orange color, but it is also found in green vegetables, at the same time in record quantities (arugula and kale, spinach, celery, peas, etc.). You can find them in blueberries, seaweed, egg yolk, in other products of animal origin it can only be found traces, and it will not be possible to replenish the daily norm with eggs alone, since you need to eat almost 300 chicken eggs, even carrots will need almost a kilogram. Therefore, it is realistic to replenish the daily intake of lutein with the help of cabbage (kale, arugula, broccoli), leafy greens (spinach, parsley, celery, basil, onions), pumpkin. Of all the nuts, pistachios contain the most lutein. Marigolds stand out with a record content of lutein, from which lutein is obtained by the pharmaceutical industry (for food additives).

Zeaxanthin champions corn, orange pepper, saffron.

Lutein is registered as a dietary supplement E161b which is used to give products a yellow color. Most vitamin complexes for the eyes contain lutein and zeaxanthin in their composition. Therefore, it is more realistic for a modern person to replenish the daily dose of this substance necessary for eye health precisely with the help of food additives than to eat the required amount of vegetables. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the peculiarity of lutein: "thermal processing of products does not lead to significant losses."

Lutein is a pigment from the carotenoid group that gives yellow, red and orange hues to vegetables and fruits. But its main function for us is nutrition and protection of the human retina. Lutein and its derivative zeaxanthin are also found in leaves and green vegetables. The proof of this is the autumn riot of colors in nature, when chlorophyll is destroyed and xanthophylls appear, which include lutein and zeaxanthin. Just as these substances protect plants from ultraviolet rays, they also protect the human retina. Lack of lutein is fraught with serious eye problems, up to degenerative changes in the retina. The list of foods containing lutein is very wide, so it will not be difficult to properly organize your diet. These are products that are available to almost any segment of the population.

Why does the human body need lutein?

Lutein is necessary for our body, it is in the blood, in other tissues, but it is especially abundant in the retina. At the same time, the human body itself is not capable of producing a substance. Yes, lutein is extremely important for a healthy body, but the body itself does not produce it. Therefore, it is very important to enrich your diet with foods that contain lutein.

Why do we need it so much? Lutein protects the lens of the eye from oxidation, the retina from harmful ultraviolet radiation, protects it from free radicals, and it is also necessary for the proper functioning of our cardiovascular system.

If the required amount of lutein does not enter the human body, the following processes can occur:

• Eyesight will deteriorate
• There will be "night blindness" (inability to see normally at dusk)
• The breadth of view will narrow
• The lens of the eye is deformed
• Thinning macula (macula in the center of the retina where the light beam is focused)
• Development of cataracts

What foods contain lutein

Lutein is mainly found in plant foods, but there are some animal foods that are also rich in this nutrient.

Lutein is a natural colorant, abundant in bright vegetables and fruits. What foods contain lutein:

• Dark green vegetables (it is believed that they are leading in the content of this substance)
• Orange vegetables and fruits
• Deep red vegetables and fruits
• Yellow egg
• Nuts

Lutein content in green foods

The color of a vegetable or fruit depends on phytochemicals with specific properties.

The highest lutein content is found in dark green vegetables, especially those of the cruciferous family. These are various types of kale, spinach, broccoli, turnip greens and even green peas.

It is not for nothing that spinach has become a kind of symbol of a healthy diet: this tasty and extremely healthy vegetable contains a whole range of vitamins, minerals and other substances we need. The same lutein in spinach contains 14 mg per 100 grams, which is more than the daily value. By the way, you can read about the daily rate of lutein in our article. Spinach contains other pigments from the carotenoid group.

A steamed serving of kale contains 22 milligrams of lutein. Interestingly, many thermally processed vegetables contain more lutein than fresh vegetables.

Equally well-known among nutritionists, broccoli contains both lutein and zeaxanthin.

The list of foods rich in lutein includes the well-known parsley, 5.7 mg per 100 grams. This is the figure that is as close as possible to the daily rate for a healthy person. Zucchini is almost twice as low as parsley in terms of its content in lutein, but at the same time it belongs to foods containing large amounts of lutein. 2 mg per 100 grams is also a lot.

Orange fruits and vegetables - foods rich in lutein

Orange vegetables and fruits, although inferior to green plants in lutein concentration, are insignificant. For example, a peach contains more than 5 mg of the substance, which is close to the daily norm. Almost the same amount of lutein is found in a slice of pumpkin. Tangerines, oranges, papayas are inferior to them, but they are also excellent sources of lutein.

Lutein, as we said, belongs to the group of carotenoids, and when the word "carotene", we, of course, immediately remember carrots. This vegetable contains 0.2 mg of lutein per 100 grams. And in a boiled vegetable there is several times more substance.

For this and other reasons, boiled carrots are considered the most useful. It must be cooked together with the peel. Moreover, there is no need to eat carrots immediately after they have been cooked. It is better to eat it in a week - this way even more beneficial compounds will appear in it. Such food is well absorbed by the body and digested without burdening the stomach.

Corn contains 0.7 mg of lutein. By the way, corn is on the list of foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin. In addition to carotenoids, corn contains protein, which is easily absorbed by the human body, fiber, a complex of B vitamins, phosphorus, iron, potassium and magnesium. It is rich in lutein and persimmon - 100 grams contains almost a milligram of the substance.

Red foods with lutein for the eyes

Beets, a variety of red berries, red apples and grapes, tomatoes, red peppers and onions are also foods that contain lutein. Moreover, hot chili peppers contain twice as much lutein as the sweet variety of vegetables - 0.7 mg.

A lot of substance is contained in rose hips - 2 mg, less in raspberries - 0.1 mg.

What foods contain lutein?

Above, we have listed vegetables and fruits that contain lutein and zeaxanthin. In the literal sense of the word, a "bright" representative of a product with a high content of lutein in the composition can be called chicken yolk. It is thanks to lutein that the yolk has such a rich yellow-orange color. The yolk of a large egg contains approximately 0.2 mg of lutein. Research has shown that Americans and Europeans are not getting enough lutein. At the same time, American scientists have found that if you consume one yolk per day for a month, then the level of lutein in the human body can increase by 50%.

What other foods contain lutein? It is relatively abundant in oatmeal. A glass of oatmeal will contain approximately 0.42 mg of this substance. Some types of nuts contain a lot of lutein. Pistachios are in the lead in this list - as much as 2.7 mg per 100 grams.

A lot of lutein is found in the flowers of marigolds, marigolds. Most often, lutein, which is added as a food coloring to a product, is obtained from these flowers. Sometimes algae and microorganisms are used as material.

Lutein supplements are also primarily derived from marigold flowers. You can enrich your diet by adding fresh inflorescences to food, 4 inflorescences a day, in crushed form they can be added to salads or main dishes. Season food with dried crushed marigold flowers. Also make inflorescence tinctures.

What foods have the most lutein

The list of foods that contain a lot of lutein is very long. But food containing a lot of substance, i.e., exceeding the norm, or close to it, is not very much. For convenience, we provide a table that will briefly tell you which foods contain a lot of lutein.

Leading Lutein Products: 100g Table
Spinach	14 mg
Basil	5.7 mg
Parsley	5.4 mg
Pistachios	2.7 mg
Zucchini	2.1 mg
Rose hip	2 mg
Leek	1.9 mg
Pumpkin	1.5 mg
Broccoli	1,4 mg
Cilantro	0.8 mg
Green onion	0.8 mg
Persimmon	0.8 mg
Peas	0.7 mg
Chilli	0.7 mg
Asparagus	0.7 mg
Corn	0.7 mg
Sweet pepper	0,4 mg
Celery	0.3 mg
Avocado	0.3 mg
Carrot	0.2 mg
Jackfruit	0.1 mg

Even with frequent consumption of foods containing high amounts of lutein, it is difficult to overdose. Caution must be observed for those who have an individual intolerance to lutein or other substances that make up this food.

For citation: Saxonova E.O. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main components of the antioxidant system of eye protection // BC. 2005. No. 2. P. 124

A.I. Bogoslovsky was one of the first to realize the importance of studying the problem of the damaging effect of light on the retina for experimental and clinical ophthalmology.

The study of the mechanisms of evolution and adaptation of vision to the light environment is not only of fundamental and natural interest, but is also very important for understanding the nature of normal and pathological processes in human vision. In essence, this is the traditional approach for Russian physiology, associated with the names of L.A. Orbeli, Kh.S. Koshtoyants, A.G. Ginetsinsky and a number of other prominent scientists.
The retina is the only part of the nervous system accessible to light, and too much light can damage it. According to epidemiological data, there is a correlation between the intensity and spectral composition of light and the development of a number of eye diseases, in particular, such common as senile macular degeneration of the retina.
According to M.A. Ostrovsky, the natural photobiological paradox of vision is that light, being a carrier of visual information, simultaneously acts as a risk factor for photoreceptor cells and pigment epithelium. One of the important methods of combating photodamage is the antioxidant defense system of the retina. In the course of evolution, a fairly reliable system of protection against the danger of photodamage has formed in the eye, the main components of which are carotenoids. Among all the carotenoids, only lutein and zeaxanthin have the ability to penetrate the tissues of the eye and effectively protect our eyes. Such protection is necessary to ensure daytime vision, and even more so, vision in conditions that are too bright or hazardous in terms of the spectral composition of the light environment.
This was the reason for a deeper study and experimental clinical research aimed at determining the role of carotenoids in health and disease and studying their effect on the functional state of the eye and its structures.
First isolated by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder (1789-1854) at the beginning of the 19th century from yellow turnip and carrots, carotenoids, as it turned out, are present in cells and tissues of all representatives of wildlife. They are the most abundant pigments found in nature. At the same time, over 1000 different carotenoids have been found to date, and this amount is not limiting.
Carotenoids are phytochemicals of plant origin. Found in certain fruits and vegetables, giving them reds, oranges and yellows.
A person cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo, their intake depends only on food sources. The assimilation of carotenoids, like other lipids, occurs in the duodenal region of the small intestine. Under the influence of the gastrointestinal environment (for example, the acidity of gastric juice), the presence of specific receptors and proteins, carotenoids can be destroyed by oxidants, enzymes or metabolized, such as b-carotene into vitamin A.
Both carotenoids enter the bloodstream with food and ultimately accumulate in the tissues of the eye. The peculiarity of lutein is that it retains its properties after heat treatment of the product. On the other hand, chlorinated water (in particular chlorine) breaks down the bonds within the lutein and zeaxanthin molecules.
With mother's milk, a person receives the necessary dose of lutein and zeaxanthin. But under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors and the destructive influence of blue light, the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin decreases throughout life. To maintain a certain balance of these substances, we need their constant intake into the body (Table 1).
It is very important with the diet to provide a specific ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin, which is 4 to 6 parts lutein to 1 part zeaxanthin. In addition, on the basis of many studies and analysis of the risk of developing eye diseases, it can be argued that the most adequate ratio of lutein and zeaxanthin is 5: 1 (Table 2).
Until recently, it was believed that all natural antioxidants such as vitamins E, C, b-carotene, phospholipids, selenium act on the body in the same way. There is now ample evidence that each antioxidant is perceived differently by different organs in the human body. In particular, research results have shown that it is lutein and zeaxanthin that accumulate best in those parts of the body that are most susceptible to the harmful effects of free radicals. In this regard, lutein and zeaxanthin are of great importance today in the prevention of diseases of the eyes, heart, breast, in strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of cancer.
So, of all the known carotenoids, only two have been found in the human eye - lutein and zeaxanthin. Their greatest concentration is determined in the retina, especially the macula, choroid and iris of the eye, lens, ciliary body. Moreover, lutein and zeaxanthin come from food, and zeaxanthin (mesoseaxanthin) can also be formed in the eye apparatus directly in the retina from lutein.
It has been found that lutein and zeaxanthin affect vision much more effectively than carotenoids such as vitamin A, lycopene and b-carotene. This is confirmed by the data in Table 3, which shows the content of carotenoids in blood plasma and various layers of the retina.
The macular retina contains up to 70% of lutein and zeaxanthin of their total content in the eye. In the center of the retina, within a radius of 0.25 mm, the content of zeaxanthin is approximately 2.5 times higher than that of lutein, and in the peripheral retina (annular zone - 8.7-12.2 mm), on the contrary, the content of lutein is 2 times higher than zeaxanthin.
Studies have shown that the mechanism of defense reactions of lutein and zeaxanthin includes absorbing, shielding and antioxidant functions, which is reflected in Figure 1.
Located in the lens and retina, lutein and zeaxanthin protect photoreceptor cells from light-induced oxygen radicals. Photooxidation triggers lipid peroxidation, the products of which are highly toxic to the retina. The most destructive and aggressive effect is possessed by the blue part of the daylight spectrum (Fig. 2), which causes photochemical damage to the retina and pigment epithelium. Such light is especially dangerous for retinal diseases. The natural defenses of the retina against photochemical damage are the lens and the macula of the retina, which absorb up to 80% of blue light shorter than 460 nm. Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are part of both the retina and the lens, screen blue light from the central zone of the retina, where the light flux is maximally focused. In addition, they are able to absorb blue light and suppress the formation of free oxygen radicals, prevent light destruction of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin are first-order antioxidants that protect the retina and lens from free radicals.
Oxycarotenoids, which are lutein and zeaxanthin, have higher relative rates of antioxidant reactions than other carotenoids. The reaction of zeaxanthin with peroxynitrite (the most important oxidant in photoreceptor cells) is a first-order reaction and proceeds at high rates. In phospholipid membranes, zeaxanthin has a more prolonged antioxidant effect than lutein, which is probably due to their different orientation in the membrane.
All functions of visual perception have not only brightness, but also spectral dependence. The basic operating parameters of the human eye are visual acuity and color discrimination.
The color perception of the retina is known to be formed by three spectral types of cones - blue short-wavelength S-cones, green medium-wavelength M-cones, and red long-wavelength L-cones. The joint work of the three types of cones allows a person to classify the seven colors of the rainbow and distinguish between similar color shades. Different zones of the human retina differ in their spectral sensitivity. The spectral sensitivity of the central macular zone is formed by visual pigments of only green and red cones. The parafoveal region is formed by all three types of cones and is trichromatic.
Accordingly, one of the possible ways to enhance color discrimination may be to increase the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin consumed. In addition, visual acuity is determined by the quality of the fundus image and the packing density of the central cones.
Macular density is the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula. It is the macula that has the maximum light load. Insufficient content of macular pigments in the eye determines a predisposition to various eye diseases and the ability of the eye to resist unfavorable factors, prolonged visual stress, computer radiation. At high densities, the macula can reduce the amount of dangerous blue light incident on the center of the retina by almost 8-10 times. Taking lutein 2.4 mg per day increases its content in blood plasma by 120%, 30 mg per day - respectively by 900%. At the same time, there is a statistically significant increase in the optical density of the macular pigment.
Hammond reports that patients with unchanged macular pigment density over five years experience an increase in macular density after a 14-week diet with lutein and zeaxanthin. And most importantly, maintaining this level for 9 months after the abolition of oxycarotenoids.
Many studies have identified and proven the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in the prevention and development of a number of ophthalmic diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic angiopathy. Studies have shown that dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin reduces the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration by 30 to 50%.
The relationship between lutein and zeaxanthin intake and the risk of cataracts has been studied in Japan and the United States. The Nurses' Health Study resulted in a decrease in the number of cataract surgeries with increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (6 mg / day). Another study also confirmed that 6 mg of lutein and zeaxanin per day may reduce the risk of developing cataracts in women. Data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study confirmed a decrease in the number of cataract surgeries with increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (this time - 6.9 mg / day). Finally, the Beaver Dam Eye Study's five-year follow-up supported the conclusion that the risk of new cases of cataracts is lower with higher doses of lutein and zeaxanthin than lower doses.
Studies in the United States over 8 years on 50,000 women also show that people who consume adequate amounts of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are 50% less likely to develop cataracts.
Age-associated macular degeneration - AMD (synonyms: age-related macular dystrophy, involutional central chorioretinal dystrophy, etc.) is one of the eye diseases that are the main cause of legalized blindness and visual impairment, especially in elderly and old people. It is believed that macular degeneration of the retina develops over the age of 45-50 years, however, the rejuvenation of this disease is currently noted.
The causes of degenerative diseases of the retina have not yet been completely clarified. However, the role of genetic factors and the damaging effects of light is undeniable.
With the development of macular degeneration, increased sensitivity to light appears, vision deteriorates, visual acuity decreases, visual field loss gradually occurs, and ultimately a dull spot appears in the center of the visual field (relative or absolute scotoma).
The causes leading to the development of macular degeneration are varied. Recently, the world scientific community has been increasingly discussing the role of the negative impact of free oxygen radicals. The photochemical reaction, which occurs under the influence of light and oxygen, leads to the formation of highly reactive free radicals that can damage the light-sensitive cells of the retina. The older a person is, the more dangerous is the effect of free radicals - with natural aging, the activity of the body's own protective antioxidant system decreases, which aggravates dystrophic processes.
The relationship between lutein and zeaxanthin intake and the risk of AMD has been studied in many studies. Clinical studies have shown that consuming 6 mg of lutein per day reduces the risk of developing macular degeneration by 43%. In patients with this pathology, the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macular region are 40% lower than in healthy people. Comparative analysis of AMD frequency and special diet showed that a diet containing about 6 milligrams of lutein per day reduced AMD frequency by about 50%.
The mechanism of the protective action of oxycarotenoids in AMD is quite diverse. The development of this disease is largely associated with the phototoxic effect of short-wave light, as well as the accumulation of lipofuscin and phototoxic compounds in the pigment epithelium, therefore, the intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in AMD is pathogenetically justified, since they act as the main elements of the antioxidant protection of the eye, as well as in the role of a light filter that shields the underlying pigment epithelium from the damaging spectral range. At the same time, oxycarotenoids are transparent to the central cones of the retina and do not interfere with the processes of light perception. It is important that lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated in the center of the retina, where the maximum light load occurs.
Foods rich in carotenoids will also help the body to stock up on the lutein it needs. Unfortunately, a recent study in the two most affected groups of AMD (namely the women and the elderly) found that consumption of this type of food decreased by 20% in these groups.
In diabetic retinopathy, which is accompanied by the destruction of blood capillaries and impaired blood supply to the retina, there is a sharp drop in the density of macular pigments (approximately 2.5 times compared to the norm), which is most likely due to impaired transport of carotenoids with blood flow.
In recent years, the computer has become an integral part of the life of a modern person. But, unfortunately, prolonged work at the computer leads to visual impairment. A computer monitor is a source of increased eye hazard as it emits ultraviolet light, which is amplified by the use of fluorescent lamps. In combination with strenuous eye work, this can cause rapid fatigue, headaches, decreased performance, pain in the eyes and watery eyes. Statistical data showed that from 50 to 90% of people working at a computer turn to doctors with these complaints, which have been combined by the term - computer visual syndrome (CVS). To enhance the antioxidant protection of the organs of vision, people who constantly work at a computer are shown an additional intake of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Other antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and E, bioflavonoids, b-carotene also protect the eyes from damage and promote repair by supporting collagen synthesis. For example, it is known that vitamin C levels in the eye tissue decrease with age, which can compromise capillary integrity and increase the risk of cataracts. And the combined use of n-acetyl cysteine, a-lipoic acid and vitamins C and E stimulates the synthesis of one of the main antioxidant enzymes of the eye tissue - glutathione.
In the conditions of modern life, the balance of nutrition is often violated, food does not differ in variety, there is a lack of vitamins and microelements. Therefore, it is advisable for all people at risk for the development of the above diseases to recommend additional intake of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Until now, in Russia there were only food additives (BAA) containing lutein and zeaxanthin (Ocuwaite lutein, Lutein complex). And only now a drug has appeared, registered as a drug - Vitrum® Vision.
The main active ingredients of Vitrum® Vision are lutein - 2.5 mg and zeaxanthin - 500 μg. In addition, the preparation contains the plant carotenoid b-carotene - 1.5 mg, which plays an important role in the formation of the visual pigment rhodopsin, which ensures the adaptation of the eye to low light; powerful antioxidants - vitamins E and C, trace elements zinc and copper, which are also important for eye health.
Currently, the leading ophthalmological institutions in Moscow are conducting clinical trials of Vitrum® Vision. Preliminary results indicate the advisability of including it in the complex of agents used for the treatment and prevention of a number of eye diseases. The first reports of these clinical trials will be published in the first half of 2005.

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