Lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are types of carotenoids, and anti-oxidants, which help to support the health of the eyes from damage.
Since October for some reason or another my eyesight went down quite a lot, and the reason is my liver, which genetically is a bit slower in detoxifying toxins, including stress toxins. Now I have decided to start taking liver support for the two phases of the liver, 1 and 2, which includes glutathione and essential oils such as omega 3 to support the detox. I have also taken the above supplements for a short time, however, I am going to take the antioxidant above in higher dosage for the next 6 months to see if my eyesight is going to improve or at least stay the same. That is because I have been eating quite a lot of the vegetables and fruits containing them, however it was not enough, and my theory is that the liver was not dealing with the toxins well enough. I have been feeling much better since supporting both liver phases and having a month of no wheat and dairy. I can eat a bit now, however still on the liver detox and therefore more of the typical paleolithic diet.
There are plenty of research showing that the carotenoids above are essential in high amount for the health of the eyes, especially when you start getting older. The studies cannot yet show how these antioxidant work exactly on the eyes, however most studies have shown that the higher percentage is transported via HDL (high density lipoproteins, which are the good cholesterol, and the liver is pretty much involved in this) and some part from the LDL (low density lipoproteins, which if high is the bad cholesterol, however in the right amount it is good to have it as well). Glutathione is also involved in supporting the conversion of one type of carotenoids to another. Glutathione is a formation of 3 amino acids, cysteine, glutamine and glycine. It is found in meat, eggs, and some vegetables. In vegetables is most in asparagus, spinach and avocadoes. Glutathione it is not absorbed well from the intestinal tract. However, it is made in the body from the 3 amino acids together. Garlic, onions is full of the sulphur amino acid cysteine and the building block for glutathione.
Food high in the carotenoids lycopene and lutein is tomatoes (lycopene, cooked, have more lycopene than raw, carrots, corn, (cooked and chewed well), romaine lettuce, red cabbage, pears (cooked), green leafy vegetables, any of the dark fruits, such as blueberry, blackberry, red mulberry, and any of the orange fruits, and vegetables. Lutein is high in kale and green leafy vegetables. Beta carotene is high in all orange and green fruits and vegetables. However, if the concentration in supplements might be higher than the amount of fruits and vegetables that a person can have in a day. Also it is important that essential oils such as omega 3 is in the diet and that protein to make the enzymes and co-enzymes, as well as compounds that carry the nutrients from one place to another is in the diet (such as the LDL and HDL). If you are vegetarian, or vegan, it is important that you include protein every day, as well as essential fats in some such as linseed oils or similar oil (cold pressed).
Reference
- Bhosale P. et Bernstein PS (2005). Synergistic effects of zeaxanthin and its binding protein in the prevention of lipid membrane oxidation. Biochim Biophys Acta. May 30;1740(2):116-21.
- Wang W. et al (2007). Effect of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin on plasma cartoenoids and carotenoids transport in lipoproteins in age-related macular Am J. Clin Nutr. Mar;85(3):762-9.
- Thomas SE and Harrison EH (2016). Mechanism of Selective Delivery of Xanthophylls to Retinal Pigment Epithelial cells by human lipoproteins. Aug 18. pii: jlr.M070193
Craniosacral Healing /Nutrition NAET/Mindfulness living/ NlP health coach /mind body and soul 