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The food sources of zeaxanthin include kale and other dark leafy greens, as well as a few other fruits and vegetables. Here’s a look at how much you’ll find in a serving of your favorites and how much researchers believe is necessary to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. But, first, a few words about the eye disease. Age-related macular degeneration or AMD, for the sake of brevity, is a disease affecting some 10 million people in the US, alone, according to researchers. That’s equivalent to one out of every 27 people, which means that it is a relatively common condition, although not as common as cancer, which will affect one out of every three people at some point in their lifetime. Although there are some treatments for AMD, they are expensive and not completely effective. Although they may help to restore lost vision or prevent additional damage, they cannot completely restore it. As with that concerning cancer, much of the research has been focused on prevention. It is believed that regular (daily) consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin sources may reduce the risk of AMD, by how much is unclear. There is also reason to believe that the antioxidants may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, as well. Over the years, researchers have looked at the health benefits of different dietary habits and of different foods. From what they have learned, so far, it seems that one of the healthiest diets is the so-called Mediterranean diet. It’s not that everyone in the Mediterranean is healthy. Some people still overeat and fail to be active. But, it seems that people who enjoy the “traditional” Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, olives and fish, have a lower risk of heart disease and other “age-related” ailments. Researchers began looking at how (or if) the sources of zeaxanthin could reduce the risk of AMD and other eye diseases for other reasons. It’s not that people who eat kale and other zeaxanthin-rich foods are necessarily healthier, although they may be, it is that the nutrient is a major component of the macula, a small portion of the retina, responsible for central vision. Lutein, a very similar nutrient, is found in the same foods and is present in the peripheral retina. When you see lists of zeaxanthin sources, the total amount of both it and lutein are included. Being nearly identical chemically, it is difficult to ascertain exactly how much of each is present. Remember, these are averages. There could be more or less in a particularly plant food. Cooked spinach and raw or cooked kale provide 20-27 mg per cup Cooked turnip greens and collards provide 12-15mg per cup Romaine lettuce, raw broccoli, cooked corn, raw spinach and cooked green peas provide 1-4 mg per cup While other foods, such as cooked broccoli and green beans are sources of zeaxanthin and lutein, they provide less than a milligram per cup. This is the reason that so many people choose supplements. If that’s your decision, be sure to choose a good one. Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of herbal, vitamin and mineral extracts. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive researchVisit his website now at. : Your Supplement Resource Site
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