Macular Carotenoids

Uses

How it works

Benefits

Risks & contraindications

Where it comes from

Highlighted claims

• Egg yolks contain two carotenoid compounds, lutein and zeaxanthin, that accumulate preferentially in ocular tissue. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• The primary site of lutein and zeaxanthin accumulation is the macula, the central region of the retina. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• Lutein and zeaxanthin also deposit in the lens of the eye, the liver, and certain regions of the brain. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in foods other than eggs, including vegetables, shrimp, lobster, salmon, and avocados. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• Lutein and zeaxanthin are heat-sensitive; greater heat and longer cooking times increase degradation of these compounds. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• Carotenoids are concentrated in the yolk, making it the part of the egg most important to protect from heat. — How to Cook Eggs for Maximum Antioxidant Nutrition
• Lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin form the macular pigment, a yellow filter that physically shields the photoreceptors beneath it. — The Best Food for Your Eyes
• The three macular carotenoids together protect against UV radiation and blue light, functioning as the macula's endogenous sunscreen. — The Best Food for Your Eyes
• Lutein is the primary UV and blue-light filter in the macula. — The Best Food for Your Eyes
• Zeaxanthin is concentrated at the center of the macula and provides blue-light protection. — The Best Food for Your Eyes