Blackmores Institute

<img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt948bd74310fc0ad0/blt5ed3eced18005863/6a14f88b58822c8d7f84e40c/Eye_Health.png" alt="Eye_Health.png" class="embedded-asset" />
Figure 1. Parts of the eye3Of the 600+ carotenoids that exist in nature, lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the most abundant found in the human diet,1 containing the pigment that gives many fruits and vegetables their vibrant yellow or orange colour.4 Lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in leafy green vegetables (eg. broccoli, kale and lettuce), salmon, egg yolks, and both durum and einkorn wheat.1<img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt948bd74310fc0ad0/bltd666afa63709ffa0/69f29b9f9df29ac563c1c42c/bi_carotenoid_table_1_oct_2022.jpg" alt="bi_carotenoid_table_1_oct_2022.jpg" class="embedded-asset" />The body cannot synthesise these retinal carotenoids and as such they must be obtained through the diet or supplementation.5 For DE specifically, supplementation of carotenoids is required, as daily consumption of foods needed to achieve a therapeutic dose of MPs is unrealistic.8 <h3>Research and dosage</h3><img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt948bd74310fc0ad0/blt01b943b6413b7f07/69f34443700ea2d9a058bdff/table_2.png" alt="table_2.png" class="embedded-asset" />Roughly 80-85% of cognition, learning, and perception is achieved through vision, making the eye perhaps the most important of the sensory organs.1,15 When considered with the rise in VDT use in everyday life, the need for improved eye and vision health care is paramount to ensure healthy and productive lifestyles can be achieved in a digital world.1 Compounds such as these carotenoids are of vital assistance for eye health. <h3>References</h3><ol><li>Abdel-Aal ESM, Akhtar H, Zaheer K, Ali R. Dietary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids and their role in eye health. Nutrients 2013;5(4):1169-1185.</li></ol>2. Loskutova E, Nolan J, Howard A, Beatty S. Macular pigment and its contribution to vision. Nutrients 2013;5(6):1962-1969.3. National Keratoconus Foundation. How does the human eye work? NCFF 2022, https://nkcf.org/about-keratoconus/how-the-human-eye-works/4. Juturu V, Bowman JP, Stringham NT, Stringham JM. Bioavailability of lutein/zeaxanthin isomers and macular pigment optical density response to macular carotenoid supplementation: A randomized double blind placebo controlled study. New Front Ophthalmol 2016;2(4):140-145.5. Arunkumar R, Gorusupudi A, Bernstein PS. The macular carotenoids: A biochemical overview. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020;1865(11):158617.6. Roberts JE, Dennison J. The photobiology of lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye. J Ophthalmol 2015;2015:687173.7. Power R, Coen RF, Beatty S, et al. Supplemental retinal carotenoids enhance memory in healthy individuals with low levels of macular pigment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2018;61(3):947-961.8. Nouchi R, Suiko T, Kimura E, et al. Effects of lutein and astaxanthin intake on the improvement of cognitive functions among healthy adults: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients 2020;12(3):617.9. Stringham JM, Stringham NT, O’Brien KJ. Macular carotenoid supplementation improves visual performance, sleep quality, and adverse physical symptoms in those with high screen time exposure. Foods 2017;6(7):47.10. Power R, Coen RF, Beatty S, et al. Supplemental retinal carotenoids enhance memory in healthy individuals with low levels of macular pigment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2018;61(3):947-961.11. Stringham NT, Holmes PV, Stringham JM. Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults. Nutritional Neuroscience 2018;21(4):286-296.12. Stringham NT, Holmes PV, Stringham JM. Effects of macular xanthophyll supplementation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cognitive performance. Physiol Behav 2019;211:112650.13. Kan J, Wang M, Liu Y, et al. A novel botanical formula improves eye fatigue and dry eye: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Am J Clin Nutr 2020;112(2):334-342.14. Kizawa Y, Sekikawa T, Kageyama M, et al. Effects of anthocyanin, astaxanthin, and lutein on eye functions: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2021;69(1):77-90.15. Politzer T. Vision is our dominant sense. BrainLine 2018, https://www.brainline.org/article/vision-our-dominant-sense

Eye health has been considered the domain of an ageing population, however, with alarming increases in digital and screen device use across all age brackets, eye health and the treatment of eye-related conditions now affects all populations and age demographics.Several nutrients have been shown to support eye health and function, over the longer term, for digital eyestrain (DE). Lutein, zeaxanthin and their common metabolite, mesozeaxanthin, have a well-established role in eye health, and are three dietary carotenoids collectively termed macular pigment (MP), found in high concentrations in the macula of the eye.

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