Zeazanthin, Working Hand-in-hand with Lutein, for Healthy Eyes

Nutrient Family:    

• Carotenoid

                > Sub-group:   Xanthophyll

                > Colour :   Orange-red

 

Zeaxanthin's Workings

Fat or Water Soluble Antioxidant: 

• Fat Soluble

Since they are a fat-soluble nutrient, Carotenoids such as Zeaxanthin, require the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. Consequently, your carotenoid status may be impaired by a diet that is :

• extremely low in fat

               or,

• medical conditions that causes a reduction in the ability to absorb dietary fat such as :

               §  pancreatic enzyme deficiency

               §  Crohn's disease

               §  celiac sprue

               §  cystic fibrosis

               §  surgical removal of part or all of the stomach

               §  gall bladder disease

               §  liver disease

Other functions, besides being an antioxidant:

• due to its yellow colour, it protects the eyes by absorbing the damaging "blue light"
• carotenoids that gives the following plants their colours and characteristics:

                0 paprika

                o saffron (picrocronin and safranal, for taste and aroma)

                0 wolf berries (or, goji berries)

                                

Where Is Zeaxanthin Found Naturally?

It is found it both plants and animals, however, in animals, the Zeaxanthins are derived from plant foods.

Zeaxanthin is found in the human body in :

• Eyes – in particular Retina and Macular areas of the eyes
• Skin

 

We are born with Zeaxanthin in our body but because our bodies do not produce Zeaxanthin, we need to replenish the Zeaxanthin through foods and/or supplements.

Examples of food sources:

In plant foods : [Cite: Wikipedia]

Product Lutein/zeaxanthin                                       (micrograms per 100 grams)

• Nasturtium (yellow flowers, lutein levels only)     45,000 
• Kale (raw)                                                                       39,550
  
• Kale (cooked)                                                                 18,246 
• Dandelion leaves (raw)                                                 13,610 
• Nasturtium(leaves, lutein levels only)                       13,600 
• Turnip greens(raw)                                                        12 ,825 
• Spinach (raw)                                                                   12,198
  
• Spinach (cooked)                                                             11,308 
• Swiss chard (raw or cooked)                                         11,000 
• Turnip greens (cooked)                                                   8,440
  
• Collard greens (cooked)                                                  7,694 
• Watercress (raw)                                                              5,767 
• Garden peas (raw)                                                            2,593
  
• Romaine lettuce                                                                2,312 
• Zucchini                                                                              2,125 
• Brussels sprouts                                                                1,590 
• Pistachio nuts                                                                    1,205
  
• Broccoli                                                                               1,121 
• Carrot (cooked)                                                                    687 
• Maize/corn                                                                           642 
• Egg (hard boiled)                                                                353
  
• Carrot(raw)                                                                          256
  
• Kiwifruit                                                                               122

In Zoochemicals:

• Egg yolks
• Chicken fat

Use as Food Additive:

As a food additive:

• E number E161h

Health Benefits of Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin appears to work in partnership with Lutein, another Carotenoid Antioxidant, tackling the same health issues and performing similar functions.

Both are present in the eyes and skin.

 

Examples of the health benefits of  Zeaxanthin - similar to Lutein:

• prevention of free radicals damage – where Zeaxanthin are found in our body
• absorption of UV and the more damaging “blue light” in our eyes

                o   both UV and blue light creates free radicals which attacks the eyes.

• (together with Lutein) has been quoted to prevent or stop deterioration of Aged-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) through its 2 folds functions :

                o   neutralizing the damaging effects of free radicals in the macular area

                o   absorbing the UV and blue light, preventing the formation of free radicals caused by UV and blue light.

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