Lutein and Zeaxanthin are words that wouldn’t sound out of place being used as names for exotic creatures in an episode of Dr. Who, but they are actually common (but no less interesting) anti-oxidants said to convey remarkable benefits for vision. Both are chemical compounds of the caretenoid family and are part of the reason carrots are orange (as well as yellow plants being yellow).

Their function in the world is not limited to brightening up the world’s vegetables and plants however. Firstly, they are also highly present in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, kale and broccoli, and secondly, they form a key part of our diet in preserving the health of our eyes. Studies have shown that large quantities of Lutein and Zeaxanthin are present in the lens and retina of the human eye, and that strong reserves of both are essential to preserving healthy vision.

There are two ways that Lutein and Zeaxanthin achieve this. Firstly, they filter out high energy blue light that can be damaging to the eye, but perhaps more importantly, they also act as a barrier to free radicals, which have been shown as being extremely dangerous to the eye, both impairing vision and in more extreme cases causing cataracts.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that are known to damage otherwise healthy tissue cells, including those found in the eye. A large proportion of the skincare industry is acutely aware of the damage free radicals can do to human tissue and is dedicated to protecting our skin from them via the multitude of products released on the market for this purpose.

As mentioned, the best to way to maintain protection against free radicals for your eyes is to maintain a good level of leafy green vegetables (and carrots) in your diet to stock up on Lutein and Zeaxanthin. This is perhaps the source of the myth that carrots help you see in the dark. They don’t actually improve eyesight, but they do help in stopping your eyesight going bad.

It is well documented though that modern diets are steadily deteriorating, and as many people fail to meet the ‘5 a day’ challenge, the recommended 5 to 9 servings for healthy levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin are unlikely to be met by most people anytime soon. So, just as people are getting more used to taking dietary supplements to stock up on essential vitamins and minerals, people concerned about their eyesight would be advised to find a Lutein and Zeaxanthin supplement such as VisualEyes. If you’re experiencing problems with allergies you can also buy apple cider vinegar from Higher Nature.