Best Lutein with OptiLut
Doctor's Best Lutein contains Biolut Marigold Extract, a highly bioavailable, natural source of lutein and the most abundant source in nature. Lutein is one of the major carotenoids found in human blood, with a high tissue concentration in the retina of the human eye. Lutein functions as a potent free radical scavanger in a number of tissues, including the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs.
This product does not contain: milk, egg, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, sugar, sweeteners, starch, salt, or preservatives.
- Science-based nutrition
- Dietary supplement
- Maintains healthy visual function
- Potent free radical scavenger
Maintains Healthy Visual Function and Supports Macular Pigment Density
Best Lutein features Marigold extract, a potent source of lutein that is standardized to contain 90% lutein esters. Marigold flowers are the most abundant source of lutein in nature. An oral bioavailability study of lutein that examined two formulations discovered that the lutein ester formulation was nearly 62% more bioavailable than the nonesterified form of lutein. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin are yellow pigments in a class of carotenoids called xanthophylls. Since the human body does not synthesize them, we rely on dietary sources for these carotenoids. The average American consumes only 2mg per day of lutein & zeaxanthin (the best sources are dark leafy-greens like spinach, collards, and kale, in addition to certain yellow-orange fruits & vegetables). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin (a xanthophyll believed to be derived from a photochemical transformation of lutein) are referred to as "the macular pigment," as they are the only carotenoids found in the lens and macular region of the retina of the human eye. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin are three of the most prominent carotenoids in our blood and various body tissues; their levels are largely determined by our diet. The unique biological roles of lutein and zeaxanthin are probably due to two hydroxyl groups at the terminal rings of the molecule's carotene backbone.
Multifaceted Antioxidant Support
Most of the beneficial effects of xanthophylls are ascribed to their ability to quench reactive oxygen species and scavenge other free radicals that are either taken in from the environment or generated internally by natural metabolic processes. In vitro evidence for the free radical scavenging activity of lutein is found in studies of its effects on human lens epithelial cells. In one such study, cell cultures were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light after pretreatment with lutein or alpha-tocopherol. Both nutrients were found to reduce UV-induced damage to lens epithelial cells. However, lutein was shown to have significantly higher photoprotective activity than alpha-tocopherol, demonstrating its potential as a high-powered antioxidant. Lutein has also been found to be an effective filter of "blue light," another daily source of oxidative stress on the polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched photoreceptors of our eyes. In addition to all of these antioxidant perks for the eyes, evidence from epidemiologic studies and various experimental trials suggests that lutein also helps in the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system, in part by countering oxidative stress experienced by blood vessel walls.
Supports Cognitive Acuity
An interesting doubleblind, placebo-controlled study recently conducted in 49 healthy women (ages 60-80) randomized 11 women into a group that received 12mg per day of lutein (with approximately 0.5mg of xeaxanthin) for 4 months. The women were instructed to refrain from dietary changes during the study period, and their lutein intake from foods was assessed and taken into account when study results were evaluated. Women in the lutein group scored higher in Verbal Fluency tests after 4 months of supplementation (compared to the placebo group of 10 women). Verbal Fluency tests measure the ability of subjects to retrieve instances of a category from long-term memory in a short period of time. This is the first clinical study that backs up epidemiological and animal research suggesting that lutein supports cognitive function.
About Doctor's Best
Doctor's Best produces products with the highest quality raw materials available on the market. They have direct control over and are an integral part of every aspect of product production, from formulation and raw material sourcing to finished product manufacturing. We directly purchase all active ingredients used in our products and use only the highest quality ingredients.
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