Why is Lutein so Important

In this health video you will learn why is lutein so important to your body's health.

Raena Morgan: Hello, we're visiting with Dr. Robert Abel Jr. Dr. Abel, what is lutein? Why is it essential for us? Dr. Robert Abel: Lutein is so important Raena, and I'm sure you've probably heard as well. We can't make it in our bodies. Vitamins are things we cannot make. Essential fatty acids and things are things we get a little bit of and they're just essential. But, lutein and the other carotenoids we cannot make. Therefore, we must ingest it. There's a reason for that. Our genetics are so complicated that we don't have room to do everything. As we evolved, if things were available and plentiful in nature, we didn't have a problem getting it but now we do have a problem. We go into supermarket stores and things are filled with saturated fats and purified foods and distilled products with artificial flavorings; we don't get the real stuff. So we have to make an attempt to get things. And, even though we signified lutein being essential for the eyes, it's essential for so many parts of our body. Raena Morgan: Such as skin? Dr. Robert Abel: Such as the skin. There's now literature coming out about the heart. Raena Morgan: Oh yes. Dr. Robert Abel: And, as we start looking around, we see that fat is important. The fat soluble products are very important as structural integrity of the body. The pigment in the retina is called the macular pigment density or macular pigment index. And, it is only built by taking lutein rich subjects. If you have lutein rich products and foods you will build a better pigment and a better defense against light damage in the eye. And, just speaking naturally it means people will have less glare and faster rebound. We're learning in so many studies there must be 200 by now that show us the importance of lutein in the eye health field. Raena Morgan: So, we have to ingest lutein because our bodies do not make it? Dr. Robert Abel: Right. Raena Morgan: And, it is essential for eye health. Dr. Robert Abel: Yes. Raena Morgan: Is it in the retina of the eye? Is that where it's deposited? Dr. Robert Abel: It is deposited in all the tissues of the eye, because all of them have to balance against good light coming in, what we see and visualize, and bad light, ultraviolet light, so to speak, which is becoming more and more plentiful through a depleted ozone layer, keeping the bad light away from hurting the tissues of the eye. And, it is concentrated in the center of the retina called the macula. Raena Morgan: All right. So that's where it's deposited and that's where we need to get that lutein to that place? Dr. Robert Abel: Not only do we need to do that is people are very perceptive; they will recognize that once they start on lutein about 3 weeks later, they will have less glare, brightness outside will not bother them as much, overhead lights in places like supermarkets, and even the flickering in computers will be a little less obnoxious because they are protected from those irritating wavelengths. Raena Morgan: Well, that's very promising information. Thank you, Dr. Abel. Dr. Robert Abel: Thank you, Raena.