Daily dark green vegetables to supplement lutein (Part 1)

Although lutein is a nutrient that the human body must consume, if taken in excess, it may put a burden on the liver. It is recommended to eat at least one bowl of dark green vegetables a day, which is sufficient.

In the past, many people who traveled to the United States were often asked to buy multivitamins, vitamin C, E, etc. to bring back to Taiwan, but now these are no longer popular! Because the most popular health care product nowadays is none other than lutein. Not only is the imported lutein extremely popular, but the lutein on TV shopping channels is also selling like hot cakes. Why is lutein so popular?

In the past, everyone thought that "cod liver oil" was the most important nutrient for protecting the eyes. However, now that everyone is no longer lacking in nutrition, eating too much cod liver oil may actually burden your health. On the contrary, more than 10 years ago, a study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that lutein and zeaxanthin, which are commonly found in plants, are particularly helpful for vision. Since then, in the past 10 years, various studies on lutein have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, and everyone is studying the benefits of lutein to the human body.

Liu Chunjun, team leader of the Nutrition Department of Pingtung Christian Hospital, said that carotenoids can be divided into two major categories. One is the carotene group (Carotenes), such as α-carotene (α-Carotene), β-carotene (β-Carotene) and lycopene (Lyeopene), and the other is the lutein group (Xanthophylls), such as Zeaxanthin (Zeaxanthin) and lutein (Lutein).

Protect your eyes from damage

Lutein, also known as "plant lutein", exists together with zeaxanthin in nature. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main components of plant pigments in vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc., and are also the main pigments that make up the macula of the retina.

The macula of the eye is responsible for central vision. Liu Chunjun said that studies have found that a large amount of lutein accumulates in the macula of the human retina. Lutein can absorb harmful light such as blue light, which helps protect the eyes from oxidation and light damage, and reduce the occurrence of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Lutein is also the only carotenoid that can exist in the lens. Studies have found that the antioxidant capacity of lutein is 1,000 times higher than vitamin E, which was previously considered the strongest antioxidant. Therefore, it is also believed to protect the lens of the eye and slow down cataracts. Some studies have even shown that lutein's high antioxidant capacity is related to fighting against human aging and cell degeneration and cancer. Some studies also believe that lutein has the effect of preventing cardiovascular disease.

[For more exciting content, please see Changchun Monthly Issue 354]