Eye protection is only one of the corners, the function of lutein is very interesting

Lutein,also known as Carotenoids, carotenol, plant lutein, ribosome, marigold flower element and plant lutein, is one of the 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. It is widely found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, carrots, as well as fruits and algae. Its natural reserves in nature are not scarce. However, it is vital for humans and most animal groups, because these groups cannot synthesize lutein by themselves and rely entirely on external supply.

An important carrier for maintaining eye function

When it comes to lutein, many consumers can think of the function of "eye protection". After all, more than 95% of lutein products on the market are mainly used for eye protection, and it has entered the ranks of dietary supplements as early as 1996. Lutein is one of the most important nutrients in the human retina. It is mainly distributed in the retina and lens, especially in the macula of the retina, where the lutein content is the highest. Analysis shows that compared with other tissues in the body, the deposition concentration of lutein in the macula is the highest, and the concentration of lutein in the macula is 1000 times that of serum lutein.

Studies have shown that lutein deficiency can cause dry eyes, blurred eyes, decreased vision, macular degeneration, etc. It can cause myopia at the mildest, and macular pigment degeneration, cataracts and other lesions at the worst. Maintaining the level of lutein in the body can effectively reduce the degeneration of vision and function and physiological lesions. At the same time, the absorption peak of lutein is at 446nm, which corresponds to the wavelength of blue light in vision. Lutein can absorb more than 40% of blue light, thereby reducing the damage caused by blue light. Relying on its important role in eye care, it is also called "eye gold".

Multi-dimensional functional output

With the deepening of research, more and more studies have revealed more health functions of lutein, such as neuroprotection, prevention of obesity and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Neuroprotection: Lutein has a high degree of unsaturation and is a non-enzymatic antioxidant. It has the highest inactivation efficiency for hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Its high antioxidant activity is also one of the important ways to protect the eyes. At the same time, its excellent antioxidant activity is equally important for neuroprotection. Experimental studies have shown that lutein helps prevent nerve damage by reducing oxidative stress, rather than repairing or regenerating damaged neurons. It mainly prevents the expression of Nrf-2 from being impaired, thereby improving the overall antioxidant status of the system.

Protect the skin: Lutein can resist cell aging and organ damage caused by free radicals in the human body. For the skin, it can not only delay aging, but also reduce erythema, aging, and skin burns caused by ultraviolet radiation on the skin. In 2009, the European Food Safety Authority evaluated the antioxidant, vision protection, and UV protection effects of lutein. The draft health claim believes that consuming at least 6 mg of lutein per day can maintain eye health, and 10 mg per day can maintain skin health.

Prevent obesity: Lutein can inhibit the activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a transcription factor responsible for activating adipocytes. The activation of PPARγ can downregulate the expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, LP, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and induce the expression of adiponectin (an adipokine that makes the liver and muscles sensitive to insulin), thereby regulating insulin sensitivity, intervening in adipocyte differentiation, and exerting a lipid-lowering effect.

Reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Modern studies have shown that lipid metabolism and oxidative stress play a decisive role in the pathological process of atherosclerosis, and the liver, as an important organ for lipoprotein degradation, has an important relationship with the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Experiments have shown that lutein can improve atherosclerosis and fatty liver by regulating lipid metabolism and improving oxidative stress.

Relaxed market access

In nature, lutein mainly exists in two forms: lutein monomer and lutein ester. Lutein monomer is higher in dark green vegetables, while lutein ester is mainly found in colored fruits and orange petals. Lutein monomer is a fat-soluble compound with a highly unsaturated chemical structure. It is extremely sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen. Although it is widely present in vegetables, it is easily destroyed during cooking. Lutein ester is more stable to light, heat, and oxygen than free lutein, so it has better supplement advantages as a dietary supplement.

As early as 1995, the United States approved lutein as a food supplement for beverages and infant foods to improve vision. Between 2002 and 2003, lutein esters and crystalline lutein successively obtained GRAS certification; the EU region uses lutein as a colorant, but the functional output of the end product is also indispensable; in 2008, the former Ministry of Health of my country approved lutein esters from marigold flowers as new food ingredients, which can be used in baked goods, dairy products, beverages, ready-to-eat cereals, frozen drinks, condiments and candies, but not infant food, and the content of its core ingredient lutein esters must be ≥55.8%.

In the field of eye protection, lutein is a typical "leader". According to survey data, the sales of eye protection nutrition in overseas dietary supplements in 2022 was 762 million, of which lutein accounted for 85.35%. If lutein can make achievements in other functional areas, its development space in the field of dietary supplements will be unlimited.