Doctor’s Best Lutein with OptiLut features Marigold extract, a potent source of lutein standardized to contain 90% lutein esters. Marigold flowers are the most abundant source of lutein in nature. An oral bioavailability study of lutein that examined two formulations discovered that the lutein ester formulation was nearly 62% more bioavailable than the non-esterified form of lutein.1 Lutein and zeaxanthin are yellow pigments in a class of carotenoids called xanthophylls. Since the human body does not synthesize them, we rely on dietary sources for these carotenoids. The average American consumes only 2 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin (the best sources are dark leafy-greens like spinach, collards, and kale, in addition to certain yellow-orange fruits & vegetables). Lutein and zeaxanthin are referred to as “the macular pigments,” as they are the only carotenoids found in the lens and macular tissue in the human eye retina. While they are well-known for their impact on visual function and health, they also play an important role in cognitive function and brain health.*

EXTENDED BENIFITS

Supports visual function*

A substantial collection of research has shown that lutein and zeaxanthin are the main natural carotenoids that may support visual function.* Various studies showed that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementations may result in their increased levels in the eye leading to an improved visual function and performance.* Known as “the eye-protective nutrients,” they help protect the macula from oxidative damage by absorbing high-energy light irradiation and quenching free radicals originated from photo-damage.*

Supports cognitive acuity*

While lutein and zeaxanthin are two nutrients well-known to support eye health, new science has added evidence for their roles in supporting cognitive acuity and performance as well as brain health.* In fact a growing literature has highlighted the importance of healthy nutrition in successful aging and showed that lutein and zeaxanthin are two main nutrients in the xanthophyll carotenoid family that have displayed beneficial cognitive outcomes in young children and adults.*

Helps neutralize free radicals*

The macular pigment is highly concentrated in the macula lutea of the retina and is known to be responsible for sharp central vision. Research has demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin are the main dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the retina, particularly the macula region and since they are found in high concentrated amounts in the macula, they are known as macular pigments. They play a key role in protecting human eye vision of all ages from the oxidative photo-damage caused by high-energy/high-frequency light through their powerful antioxidant activity and by filtering out high-energy/high frequency light.

Helps reduce eye fatigue with prolonged screen time*

The shorter wavelengths of visible light, also known as high- energy/high-frequency light, represent the greatest hazard to human ocular health because they contain greater energy that can induce damages to retinal tissues by inducing free radicals. Unfortunately, due to our modern life, we are constantly exposed to high-energy/high-frequency light coming from sunlight and artificial light which sources include LED and fluorescent lighting, digital and electronic devices: computers, smartphones, tablets, television screens. Over time, high-energy/high-frequency light exposure can lead to short-term eye strain effects (due to the great amount of time spent in front of computers, smartphone screens) with fatigue and dry eye, irritated eyes and difficulty focusing, but also to long-term high-energy/high-frequency light damaged retinal cells. Studies have demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin are the main macular pigments that can support health vision against the potentially damaging high-energy/high-frequency light exposure.*

CLINICAL STUDIES

Lutein antioxidant supplementation trial (LAST) was conducted to determine whether nutritional supplementation with lutein or lutein together with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals improves visual function. The study was a prospective, 12-month, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial conducted with 90 participants. The researchers concluded that visual function is improved with lutein alone or lutein together with other nutrients promoting macular health and supporting the eyes during aging.*

The CLEAR study investigated the effect of supplementation with lutein capsules (10 mg/day) on macular pigment optical density and visual acuity. Based on the results, the researchers suggest that increasing MP, either by food or dietary supplementation of lutein, can be expected to provide the basis for a viable management strategy for early onset of eye problems in the elder population.*

Findings from the COMPASS study suggest that MP augmentation is beneficial for visual performance under glare conditions. Healthy young subjects who received lutein + zeaxanthin reported better visual performance for daily visual tasks (including night driving against oncoming headlights) and those with the highest MP reported better capacity to deal with sudden changes in illumination.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1-year study was conducted to examine the effect of lutein supplementation on visual function in 120 healthy drivers with long-term light exposure. The active group consumed 20 mg of lutein daily. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12-month. Assessment included visual acuity, serum lutein concentrations, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), and visual performance. The researchers concluded that supplementation with 20 mg of lutein daily resulted in improvements in terms of contrast sensitivity and glare disability. Lutein nutritional supplementation may be useful to maximize visual performance.*

To test if lutein and zeaxanthin influence the processing of visual lead to increased visual processing speeds, healthy young subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: zeaxanthin taken daily, zeaxanthin + lutein + mixed n-3 fatty acids taken daily, and placebo. Supplementation with zeaxanthin and the mixed formulation produced significant increases in visual motor reaction time compared to placebo. In general, increasing macular pigment density through supplementation resulted in significant improvements in visual processing speed.*

Studies have suggested that the macular pigment may play a role in reducing the effects of “blue haze” when viewing distant objects through the atmosphere because of preferential scattering of short wavelength light. Researchers found that lutein supplementation alone or in combination with zeaxanthin improved contrast acuity. These results suggest that xanthophyll supplementation may improve visual performance during activities such as driving at night.*