What is lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are natural plant substances. Both substances are so-called xanthophyll, i.e. an oxygen-containing carotenoid .
What about carrots are carotenoids?
You are probably wondering what carotenoids actually are? Carotenoids are the group of pigments that are responsible for a yellowish to reddish hue. They are therefore natural dyes. They turn carrots orange and give bananas and egg yolks their color. The macula, the point of sharpest vision on the retina, even owes its name to them. Macula is derived from "macula lutea," which means nothing other than "yellow spot." A special feature of carotenoids is that, apart from some mites and aphids, they cannot be produced by animals. Only plants and some fungi are capable of this. They are therefore ingested with food. The best-known representative of carotenoids is provitamin A. It is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps maintain normal vision.
What role do lutein and zeaxanthin play?
The two pigments lutein and zeaxanthin are responsible for the color of the macula. They usually occur together in nature. They are isomers, meaning they consist of the same atomic building blocks, but differ in their structure. Like the left- and right-handed yogurt cultures. Due to their ability to absorb blue light, the two carotenoids appear yellow.
protection against the notorious free radicals
The two carotenoids are also found in the photoreceptors of the retina. With the help of the sensory cells, called cones and rods because of their shape, the incoming light is converted into a nerve stimulus. What sounds simple is an astonishingly complex process involving several chemical reactions and a large number of charged particles. This also produces useless but reactive molecules, which can, however, disrupt the course of the reactions or even damage the membrane covering of the cells.
How can I take lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein is mainly found in green vegetables. As a rule, the darker the green, the higher the lutein content. Kale is therefore a suitable food if you want to increase your lutein intake. The ever-popular raw spinach is also a good source of lutein and also contains plenty of zeaxanthin. In animal foods, lutein can be found in egg yolks, for example. For dietary supplements, lutein is extracted from plant parts, particularly the leaves of the marigold flower. Corn and green beans are particularly rich in zeaxanthin.
