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Antioxidant Macular Support* with
Beta Carotene, Zinc & Copper
Highlights
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Helps
protect the retina, macula & lens from oxidative and free-radical
damage*
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Helps
safeguard against blue and ultraviolet (UV) light damage to the macula and
retina*
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Especially
important for people with light-colored irises (pupils), and people who
smoke*
-
Promotes
production of super oxide dismutase (SOD), which protects the eye from
free-radical damage*
Eye Health & Free Radicals
Proper
nutritional support for the retina and lens is critical to maintaining healthy
eyes. Several factors such as smoking, diabetes, injury, supplemental steroids,
excess exposure to pollution, sunlight or radiation can all damage parts of the
eye. Most of these factors create free radicals that can damage the delicate
structures of the eye and result in poor eyesight. Phytonutrients and
antioxidants from food and supplements can protect our eyes from these damaging
free radicals by neutralizing, or “scavenging” them.*1
Lutein
I care Benefits
Carotenes:
There is much interest in carotenoids as protective factors for
maintaining good eye health. Lutein
and zeaxanthin are specific carotenoids that are concentrated in the yellow
pigment in the macula and appear to specifically protect the macula.*2
Like beta carotene, the more well-known carotenoid, lutein and
zeaxanthin are also potent antioxidants.
A
large multicenter human study looked at the relationship between lutein and
zeaxanthin, among other nutrients, and protection of the macula. The researchers
found that people eating 5.8 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin from dietary
sources are much more likely to have healthy, undamaged macula.*2
That’s almost 3 cups (1
ounce) of fresh, chopped spinach every
day. In the Nurses’ Health Study, involving over 100,000 nurses,
significant protection for the lens of the eye was also evident from eating
spinach. The researchers suggested that lutein may be the protective carotenoid
in spinach.*3
Another
study determined that people supplementing with the equivalent of 30 mg per day
of lutein raised lutein levels, or density, of the macular pigment.*4
Nature’s Life Lutein i
care™ Antioxidant supplement also contains natural beta carotene, alpha
carotene and cryptoxanthin in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin.
Foods high in carotenoids have also been linked to maintenance of
unclouded, transparent lenses.*5
Researchers report that people who eat a diet high in these
carotenoids have healthier retinas and maculas.*2,6
Minerals:
Zinc activates two critical enzymes, retinol dehydrogenase and catalase.7
Retinol dehydrogenase converts vitamin A to the more active form used in
visual purple. Seeing well in dim light requires adequate amounts of visual
purple. The inability of people with liver damage to see well at night has been
linked to abnormal zinc metabolism.7
The enzyme catalase is an antioxidant enzyme that also protects the eye
from oxidative damage.*7
Both
of the essential minerals zinc and copper are crucial for general eye function
and to produce the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).*8
Zinc’s ability to activate this key antioxidant enzyme may play a
critical role in protecting the macula and the lens from oxidative damage
resulting from sunlight.*
Ingredient Highlights
Nature’s
Life uses only FloraGLO brand lutein from Kemin® Foods in Lutein
i care™ Antioxidant. FloraGLO
Lutein is a bright yellow-orange pigment naturally extracted, purified and
crystallized from marigold petals (Tagetes
erecta) providing standardized amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin E,
rosemary and citric acid add natural protection for the delicate carotenoids to
ensure maximum potency. In foods lutein and zeaxanthin are found abundantly in
spinach, kale, broccoli and other green leafy vegetables, as well as papaya and
mango.
Nature's
Life uses only natural marine source carotenes derived from the unique
microalgae, Dunaliella salina.
Unlike synthetic all trans-beta-carotene,
natural beta-carotene is a mixture of cis
and trans forms. Standardized D.
salina from Henkel® contains cis-
and trans-beta-carotene in a
concentrated 50%/50% mixture.
Zinc
gluconate and copper gluconate are readily absorbed and used by the body.
Studies of elderly populations have found that few people get enough zinc in
their diets (7-10 mg daily is typical). Elderly low-income people are at real
risk of consuming less than 50% of the RDI for zinc.9
While severe zinc deficiency is rare in the U.S., marginal deficiencies are
increasingly common. Fiber in food hampers zinc absorption.9
Taking copper promotes the synthesis of super oxide dismutase
(SOD).10
Oral SOD supplements are very poorly absorbed, and SOD supplements are
not recommended.11
