The unique formula of Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants. (120 capsules)

Oxidative stress damages the retina which contributes to the development of macular degeneration; therefore antioxidants including vitamins and minerals are believed to be able to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. This was found in a major clinical trial, AREDS( Age Related Eye Disease Study), sponsored by the eye National Eye Institute. This was a multicentered, randomized clinical trial with 4757 participants aged 55-80 years old. Even though lutein was not included in the original AREDS formula, it is found in other over the counter preparations such as Bioglan multivision and Lutein Vision.

Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally-occurring carotenoids. Found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, lutein is employed by organisms as an antioxidant and for blue light absorption. Lutein is also found in egg yolks, animal fats, and the retina (zeaxanthin predominates at the macula lutea while lutein predominates elsewhere in the retina).

The principal natural stereoisomer of lutein is (3R,3’R,6’R)-beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3′-diol. Lutein is a lipophilic molecule and is generally insoluble in water. The presence of the long chromophore of conjugated double bonds (polyene chain) provides the distinctive light-absorbing properties. The polyene chain is susceptible to oxidative degradation by light or heat and is chemically unstable in acids.

Lutein is present in plants as fatty-acid esters, with one or two fatty acids bound to the two hydroxyl-groups. For this reason, saponification (de-esterfication) of lutein esters to yield free lutein may yield lutein in any ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 molar ratio with the saponifying fatty acid.

Lutein is isomeric with zeaxanthin, differing only in the placement of one double bond.

Lutein was found to be concentrated in the macula, a small area of the retina responsible for central vision. The hypothesis for the natural concentration is that lutein helps keep the eyes safe from oxidative stress and the high-energy photons of blue light. Various research studies have shown that a direct relationship exists between lutein intake and pigmentation in the eye.