After the most expensive lutein was suddenly removed from the shelves...Famous ophthalmologist Chen Yingshan reveals 4 key self-protection measures

A few days ago, a lutein health food product that raised over 10 million through online fundraising was suddenly removed from the shelves in just one week, sparking heated discussions among the public: "Is it really necessary to spend a lot of money on lutein?", "Who needs to take lutein?", "The higher the lutein dose, the better?", "How should I choose lutein to avoid disappointment?" Famous ophthalmologists remind us not to be impulsive, "It is better to act immediately than to be tempted". Before buying lutein, we should first recognize the four key points, which is a good way to protect ourselves!

So foggy! Lutein is often advertised as: the highest concentration, the best golden ratio for eye protection, and liquid form for easy absorption…

Faced with netizens' doubts about the high price and lack of transparency of the lutein health food, the person who initiated the fundraising publicly admitted that he had made two major mistakes, so he removed the product from the shelves and refunded all the sponsorship money. The incident seemed to have subsided, but the popular science discussion about lutein has just officially begun.

There are a wide variety of lutein health foods on the market, and each company claims to have the following slogans: "highest concentration, best golden ratio for eye protection, liquid form for easy absorption..." Consumers are confused and may even spend a lot of money to buy them without knowing much about them. What's even more exaggerated is that they may buy the most expensive ones without realizing it.

Famous ophthalmologist: 4 keys to understanding lutein

Chen Yingshan, director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, who has conducted in-depth research on lutein, read hundreds of domestic and foreign papers and reports, and has published many books on ophthalmology, said that before the public buys lutein health foods, they must first understand the following four key points:

There are a wide variety of lutein health foods on the market, and each company claims to have "highest concentration, best golden ratio for eye protection, liquid form for easy absorption..." etc.

Among foods, egg yolks have the highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin, which have a good protective effect on the optic nerves and cranial nervous system.

★Key 1: Lutein health food, compound formula may be effective, but single formula is not as effective as compound formula

According to the research summary of hundreds of papers, a combination of ingredients may be effective. For example, lutein plus astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, or even vitamin C and zinc, just like the concept of teamwork. As for why the combination is effective? Further research is needed. In contrast, lutein alone is not as effective as combined lutein. It is recommended to take a compound prescription. If you purchase a single prescription, you may wish to supplement with a multivitamin to take in other missing nutrients.

★Key 2: Lutein can help control macular degeneration in people with macular degeneration, but it cannot prevent macular degeneration.

Lutein is the main carotenoid present in the macula. According to research, taking nutritional supplements containing lutein can help increase the concentration of macular pigment, which will reduce the risk of macular degeneration and may also have a therapeutic effect on macular degeneration. For people with macular degeneration, lutein supplementation does have some effect. However, it is difficult to conduct experimental research to determine whether eating it has an eye-protecting effect for people without eye diseases.

★Key three: The higher the lutein dosage, the better! Food supplements are the best. Taking lutein health foods is not as good as taking food supplements.

Many people think that when choosing lutein health foods, the higher the dosage, the better the effect. For example, currently on the market, one capsule contains 30 mg of lutein, emphasizing the highest concentration. However, it does not mean that taking 10mg or 20mg will have no effect. Because the key to whether it is effective or not does not lie in the dosage. Chen Yingshan said that high-dose lutein is only suitable for a few people. Instead of being obsessed with the high or low dose of lutein, it is more important for people who need supplementation to take it regularly and for a long time. According to research results, as long as you continue to take lutein for half a year, even if you stop taking it in the future, the lutein concentration in the macula can continue to be maintained for up to half a year.

In addition, there is a more important concept: "Food supplements are worse than medicine supplements". It is more important to maintain a balanced nutrition through diet than to swallow health foods desperately. Among foods, egg yolks have the highest content of lutein and zeaxanthin, which have a good protective effect on the optic nerves and cranial nervous system. Dr. Chen Yingshan recommends eating two egg yolks a day to supplement lutein, which is better absorbed and utilized than taking lutein from vegetables including spinach.

For people who do not have the three highs including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipids, there is no difference between taking lutein in granules or drinking it.

★Key 4: Liquid lutein is suitable for people without three high diseases or young people, and is better absorbed

Is liquid lutein better absorbed than granular lutein? In fact, this statement is not entirely correct. When the human body takes lutein, it is absorbed in two stages. The first stage is absorbed in the stomach, and the second stage is absorbed by the eyes. Granular lutein is not very well absorbed and digested in either the first or second stage. However, for people who do not have the three highs including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipids, there is no difference between taking it in granules or drinking it.

Lutein is a fat-soluble vitamin and needs the HDL as a carrier (like a car) to be carried to the eyes. In other words, the HDL must be high to carry it, and people without the three highs have higher HDL. For liquid lutein, in the first stage of absorption, it is transported by lymphatic vessels to the stomach and liver for absorption, but does not reach the eyes. The second segment is delivered to the eye via the lipid protein HDL. However, for people with three high diseases or the elderly, their HDL is relatively low and they are unable to carry the blood, which affects absorption.