Carotenoids Protect Eyes from Blue Light Damage

Article by Arnie Gitomer

Blue light-the short light-waves from TV, computer and smartphone screens, fluorescent and LED lights, and the sun-has good and bad effects. It can make you more alert, but also disrupt sleep cycles, strain the eyes and neck, and give headaches.

In this study, 48 healthy young adults with at least six hours of daily near-field screen exposure took a placebo or a 24 mg combination of the carotenoids normally found in the macula of the eye-lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

After six months, while the placebo group had not improved, those taking the supplement had higher levels of macular carotenoids, better sleep quality, less eye strain and fatigue, better visual acuity, and 34 percent fewer headaches.

(Reference: Foods; 2017, Vol. 6, No. 7, 47, Published Online)

Additional Comments from Don Goldberg

There are many situations where extra carotenoids may be appropriate, especially when it comes to eye and heart health. Many people think of "beta-carotene" when they see the term "carotenoids," but that is a mistake. Carotenoids refers to a group of related compounds, and is best taken as a group.

Product Recommendation:
Jarrow Formulas CarotenAll (60 softgels)
Product Code 43873

Here is some information on this product:

• CarotenAll  contains alpha- and beta-carotene extracted from palm fruit (EVTene ) in a ratio similar to carrots. One softgel of CarotenAll  provides greater amounts of the major carotenoids (Alpha- & Beta-Carotene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Lycopene) than 5 6 servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Lycopene is an antioxidant carotenoid extracted from non-GMO tomatoes (Lyc-O-Mato ). Lycopene protects against damage from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) singlet oxygen.
• Lutein is an antioxidant carotenoid that occurs in nature with zeaxanthin. Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin concentrate in the eye's macula and lens where they protect these tissues from oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is a highly-potent antioxidant carotenoid found in seafood and algae that protects lipids from peroxidation.
• Suggested Usage: Take 1 softgel 1 to 2 times per day or as directed by your qualified healthcare professional.