Former TV investigative reporter who avoided the genes/lifestyle that destroyed her family: breast cancer: aunt, mom, sister. Everyone else had/has heart disease and diabetes. A Road Runners Club of America certified coach, she places in local 5K races, teaches healthy cooking classes and is writing, "Save Your Money, Save Your Life." Who can use this? ;)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Cataracts & Lutein-Another Magic Bullet

So my eye doc says the cateracts I probably got in childhood from way too many blistering sunburns in FL are alive and well. He quietly told me a patient of his significantly reduced her cataract in just 4 months by taking a lutein supplement, which I could conveniently find on the checkout counter for $40 for one bottle.

Save yourself some bucks, and here's the "natural" lutein. Aren't we always looking for the magic bullet? The answer in a bottle. Scroll down and you'll find the rankings of veggies with the most amount of Lutein.
If you Google Lutein, you'll find as many links to supplements. Pretty amazing!

Lutein is a yellow or orange pigment found in some fruits and vegetables.

Function of Lutein:

Lutein is concentrated in the retinas of your eyes and is necessary for good vision. A diet rich in lutein may lower your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Lutein may also help prevent or slow down atherosclerosis, the thickening of arteries, which is a major risk for cardiovascular disease.

Where To Find Lutein:

Carrots, squash and other fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow pigments are sources of lutein. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, also contain high amounts of lutein. All are an important part of a healthy diet.

Lutein is also available as a dietary supplement. The Age Related Eye Disease study found that high doses of lutein, combined with other antioxidants, may help slow down the progression of macular degeneration. The supplement formula used in the study is Twin Lab Ocuvite, which also contains zinc and other antioxidants.
Ranking of Foods ContainingLutein

Vegetable/Fruit
(100 grams or 1/2 cup)

Lutein or Zeaxanthin (Micrograms)

Kale

21,900

Collard Greens

16,300

Spinach, cooked & drained

12,600

Cress Leaf, raw

12,500

Swiss Chard, raw

11,000

Chicory Leaf, raw

10,300

Parsley

10,200
Spinach, raw 10,200

Mustard Greens

9,900

Beet Greens 7,700
Okra 6,800
Pepper, Red 6,800

Dill

6,700

Romaine Lettuce 5,700
Endive 4,000

Celery

3,600

Scallions

2,100

Leeks

1,900

Broccoli, cooked

1,800

Leaf Lettuce

1,800

Green Peas

1,700

Pumpkin

1,500

Iceburg Lettuce

1,400

Brussel Sprouts

1,300

Summer Squash

1,200

Corn

790

Pepper, Yellow 770

Green Beans

740

Pepper, Green

700

Asparagus, raw 640

Cucumber Pickle

510

Green Olives

510

Avocado, raw 320
Carrots, cooked or raw 260
Plum, raw 240
Tomato Paste, canned 190
Peach, dried 188
Kiwi Fruit, raw 180
Prune, dried 120
Pear, raw 110

Tomatoes, raw

100

Apple, raw 45
Squash, winter, cooked 38
Peach, canned, drained 28
Cabbage, red, raw 26
Tangerine 20
Onion, yellow, raw 16
Nectarine 15
Orange 14
Watermelon, raw 14
Apricot, canned, drained 2
Turnip, raw 1



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