What are the special effects of carotenoids on eye health?
Carotenoids have multiple positive effects on eye health, and here are some special effects:
Protecting the retina and lens: Carotenoids, as natural fat soluble antioxidants, can absorb light in the visible light range (400-500 nm wavelength), protecting the retina and lens from potential photochemical damage caused by light exposure.
Prevention of eye diseases: Lutein, zeaxanthin and racemic zeaxanthin are collectively referred to as lutein. They help maintain eye health and prevent eye diseases such as cataract, age-related macular degeneration and diabetes retinopathy.
Antioxidant effect: Carotenoids help eliminate free radicals generated by complex physiological reactions, protecting the eyes from oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation.
Preventing night blindness: β - carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is an important raw material for the formation of photosensitive substances in the eyes. Adequate vitamin A can increase the smoothness of the cornea and make the eyes bright and lively. On the contrary, it can cause the shedding, thickening, and keratinization of corneal epithelial cells, making the originally clear and transparent cornea blurry like ground glass, and even causing eye diseases such as night blindness and cataracts.
Protecting the macular area: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids detected on the macula of the retina. They can effectively filter short wavelength light, prevent damage to photoreceptors, and have significant functions in protecting the macula and promoting vision.
Relieve visual fatigue: Carotenoids, as precursors of optical filters and visual chromophores, play a crucial role in maintaining normal visual function. Carotenoids can absorb visible light wavelengths of 400-500 nm, effectively protecting the retina and lens from light damage caused by exposure to light.
Improving oxidative stress damage: Astaxanthin and other carotenoids in carotenoids have strong antioxidant activity, which can bind and cross the cell membrane, neutralize free radicals at the hydrophobic and hydrophilic boundaries of the cell membrane, and exert strong antioxidant effects, thereby protecting the retina from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Anti inflammatory effect: Lutein has a good anti-inflammatory effect on light induced and high glucose induced retinal damage, and can alleviate retinal damage by inhibiting NF - κ B activity and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors.
In summary, carotenoids have multiple protective effects on eye health, including antioxidant activity, prevention of eye diseases, protection of the macular area, and alleviation of visual fatigue. They are important nutrients for maintaining eye health.
Xi'an Hersoncare Bio-Tech Co., Ltd
