If you are interested in macular degeneration research, one detail to note is the fact that lutein has been found to help keep vision loss at a minimum. Central vision typically starts to fade when macular degeneration occurs, but this substance may help prevent this loss of vision, or at least slow its progression. Lutein is located in the macula of the eye, and its point is to protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals. Find out more about lutein, and how you can obtain this substance.
What is Lutein?
Lutein is an antioxidant that the body cannot produce on its own, so it needs to be obtained through certain foods. It collects in various parts of the body, but the most lutein is found in the macula, as it is a major part of the macular pigment. In fact, this part of the eye of solely made up of zeaxanthin and lutein. This pigment protects the eyes from damage due to blue light since its main job is to filter it. Blue light is quite harmful to the eyes due to the free radicals that it produces, but macular degeneration research has found that the more lutein present in the eyes, the less damage there is.
How to Get More Lutein
Though the body cannot make this important antioxidant naturally, you can obtain it through various foods. Leafy green vegetables are some of the best sources of this substance, so collard greens, spinach, kale, lettuce, and cabbage are good to eat to help prevent central vision loss. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables like oranges, cantaloupe, and tomatoes also contain lutein. If none of these foods appeal to you, it is still possible to get lutein through supplements. This antioxidant can be found in multivitamins or even vitamins created solely to improve eye health. Though there is presently no cure for this condition, the good news is that macular degeneration research has uncovered a few ways to prevent or slow further damage to the eyes.