Eye human senses is a very important / essential. If we can limit the damage to the eye or blindness, we can not enjoy the taste and how beautifully the universe. The reality we often forget to make eye care, as well as in other parts of the body, the eyes may be affected by interference or health problems. interference may be caused by air that is not clean or terpolusi, sun radiation, radiation due to too long in front of the computer, and other interferences.
Studies conducted by the Eye Disease Prevalence Research Group (2004) estimates that by 2020 the number of eye disease and blindness in the world will reach 55 million people. This study also mentioned that the eye disease and blindness will increase, especially for those over the age of 65 years. Someone who is 80 years old and above, which is 8% of the total population, have as many as 69% of blindness.
Interference in the health of the public eye is the function of the decline of vision, red eye symptoms without any decrease in the function of vision, and eyes red with the function of vision down. Until now, the eye disease that many suffer is cataracts, gloucomae, and infection.
Along with the increased attention and knowledge of the effects of nutrition on health, eye health, especially the rapid growth caused the market to products, eye health. Most of the products for the health of the eye-shaped supplements are marketed now. In addition compound antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E), which has been previously known to improve the health of the eye, compound, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, recently known as a compound that can improve the health of the eye.
Lutein a group karotenoid yellow compound that are on the green. Lutein found in the macula and can be trusted to protect the eyes from damage by oxidative ray ultraviolet radiation (UV).
Macula is in the midst of Retina and neighboring directly with the lens. Macula is a small area that contains millions of cells that help produce the sharp vision to read or see objects clearly.
Karotenoid another compound found in the macula is a zeaxanthin, which are known to provide health benefits to the eye.
Research conducted by Chitchumroonchokchai and colleagues in 2004 from Ohio State University, shows that the lutein and zeaxanthin can protect cells from human lens UV display, which is the main cause of the occurrence of cataracts. In addition, they compare the antioxidant activities of lutein and zeaxanthin with vitamin E. The results indicate that lutein and zeaxanthin showed activity 10 times higher than vitamin E in protecting cells from damage due to lens ultraviolet rays.
In the same year was also conducted research by Neuringer and colleagues, fully ability lutein and zeaxanthin in the eye to improve health. While testing in animals sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products of Switzerland, showed that suplementasi or adding lutein and zeaxanthin increase the antioxidant activity in the blood.
Group karotenoid other compound that has the ability to protect the macula from UV display is astaxanthin. Guerin, et al. (2003) mentioned that the ability of antioxidant and anti-inflammation compound effect of astaxanthin can provide eye protection from UV rays.
Until this antioxidant activity of the compound lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin mechanism to give answers that the increase in eye health. Free radical derived from UV macroscopic Water content, or air, into the eye cause oxidation reactions molecule-molecule vulnerable on the lens.
Molecule is protein and fat to a lens. The effects of oxidation damage to the cause of fat or protein in the lens. Along with increasing age and increasing pressure accumulations free radicals, protein and fat that are damaged will be greater in number. That's what makes blurred vision and the long run become blind.
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin nab free radicals (serious scavenger activity) by berikatan before the radical-radical damage to the protein, fat or lens. Or, in other words, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin can be called as a lens protector against free radical attack.
Karotenoid found in many vegetables yellow-orange such as carrots, green vegetables such as broccoli, and fruits red and yellow-orange, such as tomatoes, strawberry, melon and mango. So with consuming vegetables and fruits regularly can meet the needs of lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin every day. In addition, other effects consume vegetables and fruits is to increase the fiber Feed food that is good for the health body.