Lutein belongs to what is known as the carotenoids. It is a nutrient that is found in some types of veggies and also in some types of fruits. Our body cannot make lutein itself; therefore we need to get it in our body through supplements or eating food that contains it.
It is not as well known as other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, but it is becoming much more popular this day and age.
It has many benefits that come along with it, and we want to share those benefits with you. First of all, lutein has been researched for a very long time.
Research is finally showing that lutein benefits our eyes and makes them healthy. Studies have also shown that those who taken lutein daily for an extended period of time has increased how thick the macula of their eye is.
If you suffer from eye problems, such as age-related macular degeneration, taking more lutein in from supplements and diet is very beneficial to you. Also, if you are prone to developing this eye problem, you should take in extra amounts of lutein as well. Lutein also benefits us by decreasing the chance of someone developing a cataract in their eye. There are other benefits to lutein, but they are much less unknown.
Other than helping to benefit our eyes, lutein acts as an anti-cancer agent in the body. This means that it helps prevent cancer from forming in our body. It primarily helps with those who are at risk for developing colon cancer. Studies have shown that those who take extra lutein in their diet have significantly cut down the chances of developing colon cancer in their lifetime.
Another great benefit of lutein is the fact that it lowers the bad cholesterol counts in our body. By doing so, it helps to keep our arteries clear of any plaque or debris. This can help avoid the chances of heart disease, heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. Lutein also helps to relieve the pain that comes along with arthritis and osteoarthritis.
It dulls the achy pain, and helps people cope with arthritis and osteoarthritis much better. It also has been shown that lutein is an antioxidant. This means it can help neutralize free radicals in the body, so they do not cause further harm and damage. Antioxidants also help to protect our cells from cellular damage. If we do not have antioxidants in our system, we can develop conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and premature aging as well.
We recommend taking in a large amount of green leafy veggies each day. Spinach and kale are the best ways to get lutein into your system. Also, eggs of any kind are a great way as well. Those who are middle-aged or older need to make sure they are getting enough lutein in their system.
Getting between 2 mg to 6 mg each day is beneficial for your body, since there is no RDA for lutein.
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