| What are the side effects of lutein? What are the | | | | the pre-cursor to vitamin A, responsible for the |
| benefits? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? You | | | | color of carrots, was essential to the human diet |
| will find the answers to those questions and more | | | | and the health of the eyes. It was also believed |
| in this article. | | | | that retinol, the animal form of vitamin A, was |
| When researchers evaluate the benefit of drugs, | | | | just as beneficial as beta-carotene, but that was |
| they also look at the risks, in order to establish a | | | | many years ago. Now, we know that retinol can |
| risk-benefit ratio. If the benefits outweigh the | | | | be toxic, because the body can't get rid of it. |
| risks, the drug is typically approved. | | | | Beta-carotene, on the other hand, is converted |
| While it is not a drug, it is not unusual for people | | | | by the body on an as-needed basis to retinol or |
| to be concerned that there might be negative | | | | vitamin A. Any unneeded amount is simply |
| side effects of lutein intake. At this time, no | | | | discarded as waste. |
| negative side effects have been reported by | | | | The value of the other carotenoids has only been |
| people taking "SAVISION", "Opti-sharp" or other | | | | discovered in recent years. When it comes to the |
| supplements containing it. | | | | health of the eyes, particularly as we age, two of |
| If you are taking a supplement and you have a | | | | the most important carotenoids are lutein and |
| health complaint, you should report it to your | | | | zeaxanthin. |
| doctor. It is highly unlikely that the supplement is | | | | It is believed that the positive side effects of |
| the cause, which means that something else is | | | | lutein and zeaxanthin include the prevention of |
| going on. If you have noticed a decrease in visual | | | | age-related macular degeneration, as well as the |
| acuity, it is important to contact your | | | | formation of cataracts. The benefit of the |
| ophthalmologist right away. It is an absolute | | | | nutrients for cataract prevention is not as |
| surety that the supplement would not cause | | | | important as wearing sunglasses that filter out UV |
| decreased visual acuity, which again means, | | | | light or avoiding cigarette smoke. But, for |
| something else is going on. The sooner you get | | | | preventing macular degeneration, increased intake |
| treatment, the more effective the treatment will | | | | of those nutrients is very important, especially for |
| be. | | | | people that have a family history of the disease. |
| So, what are the benefits or "positive" side | | | | Many ophthalmologists and optometrists suggest |
| effects of lutein? These may be several. | | | | the supplements for all of their patients. Luckily, |
| It is a member of the carotenoid family. | | | | there are multi-nutritional supplements that contain |
| Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments found | | | | both of these carotenoids, along with |
| in fruits, vegetables and other plants. When | | | | beta-carotene and other essential nutrients. So, |
| nutritionists advise you to eat lots of fruits and | | | | you won't have to take lots of different pills. |
| vegetables in a wide assortment of colors, it is | | | | There's no need to worry about any negative |
| because of the different carotenoids that each | | | | side effects of lutein. It's good for you. So, go |
| color provides. | | | | ahead and take it. |
| At one time, we believed that only beta-carotene, | | | | |