Are You Taking the Correct Lutein Dosage to Prevent Macular Degeneration?
The proper lutein dosage depends on your age and your current state of physical health, as well as other factors. There are no risks associated with high daily intakes, other than bronzing of the skin, which occurs with all carotenoids. Carotenoids are pigments or colors. They combine with each other to form all of the colors of the rainbow. Beta-carotene, the primary carotenoid found in carrots, is a red-orange pigment. Zeaxanthin, which is nearly identical, on a molecular level, to lutein, is a deep yellow-orange color. Lycopene is bright red. All of the carotenoids are important to the health of the eyes and to visual acuity. Night blindness is usually caused by a lack of beta-carotene or other carotenoids in the diet. Beta-carotene is converted within the body into vitamin A, an essential nutrient. Deficiencies are common in developing countries and can lead to total blindness. Hundreds of thousands of malnourished children go blind each year due to a lack of this common vitamin. L
