Lutein Defends Skin from Within
Lutein is an antioxidant that is perfectly suited to countering sun damage. Known as “internal sunglasses,” lutein helps filter out damaging light in the eye – up to a 40% reduction – which is critical, given that damaging rays can lead to macular degeneration. More recent research shows that there's more to lutein than meets the eye (hehe, pun intended, absolutely).
Lutein appears to be a targeted skin-protective antioxidant. Studies show that lutein minimizes oxidative damage in the skin, absorbs longer-wavelength blue light (the light that causes cell damage in skin), and minimizes inflammatory response in the skin after sun exposure. Additional studies show that lutein helps the skin retain moisture, and even reduces redness after UV exposure in concert with other carotenoids.
So how do you get lutein? Taking a supplement might be the easiest way to reap lutein’s benefits. But, in terms of dietary sources, lutein is found in tomatoes, black currants, egg yolks, peas, and leafy greens like romaine lettuce, collard greens, broccoli. Dark greens like spinach are an especially good lutein source.
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