Lutein, also known as "phytoalexin", is found in nature together with zeaxanthin. It is the main component of phytochromes in maize, vegetables, fruits and flowers, and is contained in the chloroplasts of leaves, where it transmits absorbed light energy to chlorophyll a. It is presumed to have a protective effect against photo-oxidation and photodamage. It is also the main pigment that makes up the macular region of the human retina.
Lutein is a natural substance found in a wide range of vegetables, flowers, fruits and other plants and belongs to the "carotenoid" group of substances. The main carotenoids found in humans include d-carotene, P-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and orthoflavin. Medical experiments have shown that lutein is an excellent antioxidant and that adding a certain amount of lutein to food can prevent cellular aging and organism aging, as well as prevent vision loss and blindness caused by retinal macular degeneration in the aging eye. They have been suggested as cancer preventers, life prolongers, ulcer fighters, heart attack and coronary artery disease fighters. Lutein is also used as a feed additive for colouring poultry meat and eggs, and has been used as a colouring and nutritional supplements in the food industry.
Eye protection: Lutein is an important carotenoid derivative, a natural pigment found in many fruits and vegetables and an essential nutrient for the human body. Lutein absorbs high-energy UV rays and resists UV damage, thus helping to protect the visual health of the eyes, especially against eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts.
Antioxidant: As a natural antioxidant, lutein can scavenge free radicals and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress, thus preventing the occurrence of many diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Strengthens the immune system: Lutein promotes the development and proliferation of immune cells, strengthening the immune system and helping to defend against pathogenic bacteria and diseases.
Lutein has an important protective effect on the macula in the retina, and its deficiency may lead to macular degeneration and blurred vision. Lutein is a precursor of NA, which is converted to VA in the body. The main physiological functions of lutein in the eye are as an antioxidant and a photoprotective agent. The optic nerve is non-renewable and highly susceptible to damage by harmful free radicals, and the antioxidant effect of lutein can inhibit the formation of harmful free radicals. Lutein absorbs a large amount of blue light, the wavelength of blue visible light is close to that of ultraviolet light, and is the most potentially harmful type of visible light that can reach the retina. Before reaching the sensitive cells in the retina, the light passes through the highest concentration of lutein, which can be minimised if the macula is rich in lutein.
The strong oxidative effect of lutein inhibits the activity of reactive oxygen radicals, preventing them from damaging normal cells. Experiments have shown that reactive oxygen radicals can react with DNA, proteins and lipids, weakening their physiological functions and leading to chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and age-related yellow devil degeneration. Luteolin can inactivate singlet oxygen by physical or chemical quenching, thus protecting the body from damage and enhancing the body's immune system.
Cataracts are a major eye disease causing blindness worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that increased intake of lutein can achieve a biologic effect, and the mechanism is now thought to be that lower macular pigment density is closely associated with higher lens visual density in middle-aged and elderly people, and higher lens visual density is thought to be a distinctive feature of cataract development.
Recent findings suggest that lutein has a delaying effect on the early atherosclerotic process. The main concern is the relationship between changes in intima-media thickness of the arterial trunk tract and the lutein content of the blood. The low level of lutein in the blood is very likely to cause thickening of the arterial vessel wall, and with a gradual increase in the level of lutein, the tendency for thickening of the arterial wall decreases, and atheroembolism is significantly reduced. At the same time, lutein in the arterial wall cells also reduces the oxidative properties of LDL cholesterol.
Several studies have shown that luteolin has an inhibitory effect on a variety of cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, skin cancer, etc．
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