[Effects of Lutein] 3 Reasons Why Lutein is Good for Eye Health

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Lutein is widely known as an eye health nutrient. But do you know how lutein helps eye health? Lutein is an orange-colored carotenoid, a type of pigment. In the body, it is the substance that makes up the ‘macula’, which plays the most important role in vision, where the retina cells that detect light and color are concentrated.

Therefore, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has also recognized its functionality as ‘helping eye health by maintaining macular pigment density, which can decrease due to aging.’ Now, through papers, we will look at the specific benefits of oral intake of lutein.

Macular pigment plays a role in protecting the retina from light, but because it is not synthesized in the body, macular pigment density is known to decrease by half in people in their 50s and 60s compared to those in their 20s and 30s. Therefore, eye damage due to aging is inevitable.

In this regard, a paper published in Nutrients in 2020 reported that macular pigment density increased when lutein was consumed in a study of healthy adults.

There are other benefits that come from increasing macular pigment density. It is a reduction in recovery time from light fatigue. Photofatigue recovery time refers to the time it takes for the eyes to recover from bleaching caused by strong light.

In 2008, a paper was published in Optometry and Vision Science showing that when lutein and zeaxanthin were taken for 6 months, recovery time from photofatigue was reduced.

Because close objects are imaged behind the retina of the eye, a process of adjusting the thickness of the lens is required to see objects clearly. During this time, near point adjustment is the state in which the lens is at its maximum thickness and maximum adjustment is being achieved. However, once you reach your 40s, the elasticity of the lens decreases and the thickness at which the lens can become thicker becomes limited, causing a presbyopia.

In relation to this, in 2014, a paper was published in Immunology, Endocrine and Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry showing that myocytic control was improved when taking multiple dietary supplements including lutein.

Today we looked at the benefits of consuming lutein in relation to eye health. As I mentioned earlier, lutein is a type of pigment and its name comes from the Latin word ‘leteus’, meaning ‘yellow’. Therefore, please remember that excessive consumption may temporarily turn your skin yellow.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.