FYI: Food/supplements to prevent eye issues e.g. cataracts, macular degen, etc

[Benko]

I had to research this for someone, so am posting it in case it might be of general interest.


BOTTOM LINE FOR THIS BOARD:  for prevention eat Kale/spinach (lutein/zeanthin) and salmon (astaxanthin).

Below is what I sent someone already having problems


BOTTOM LINE: eat:
(kale or spinach) for lutein (and zeanthin) +
salmon (preferably sockeye or 2nd choice coho)  for Astaxanthin.  Krill supps have some of this..

Might be good to eat orange bell pepper also, specifically for zeanthin.?

Or you can take AOR brand vision support II (possibly preferred if you already have vision issues)

Explanation: I found a source for content of zeanthin in food and orange pepper was by far the highest.  Other sources only list total (Lutein + zeanthin) because some chemical assays used can’t tell them apart and Kale/spinach tops the list on those charts. 


1. Lutein/Zeanthin are both present in the retina (though in different parts, so it might be wise to consume both).  Broccoli has some, but kale/spinach both contain 5-15 times more than broccoli. Turnip greens, swiss chard are good also.

2. Astaxanthin is similar carotenoid to Lutein/Zeanthin  found in wild salmon (sockeye best, coho, next best) red peppers/veggies and Krill.  Depending on the kind of salmon you’d need 3-6 oz daily to get what is in my eye supp (3.6 mg).  sockeye salmon has the highest amount of astaxthin – 30-58 mg per kilogram. Coho salmon has the next highest – 9-29 mg per kilo.?
?

[Gumby]

BOTTOM LINE FOR THIS BOARD:  for prevention eat Kale/spinach (lutein/zeanthin) and salmon (astaxanthin).

BOTTOM LINE: eat:
(kale or spinach) for lutein (and zeanthin) +

As I explained in a different thread, plants aren't the best source for absorbing nutrients since they are difficult to digest and most of the nutrients get pooped out. This is why herbivores have cecums and multiple stomachs and spend their entire day eating. We just have one acid/pepsin-based stomach and an appendix where our primate cecum used to be. Plants are best for cleansing us and protecting us with some of their antioxidants and phytochemicals.

Unfortunately, the lutein (and zeanthin) from kale and spinach isn't all that bioavailable. Egg yolks are the best bioavailable source of lutein (and zeanthin).

Protection against Age-Related Macular Degeneration and CataractsLutein, a carotenoid thought to help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, may be found in even higher amounts in eggs than in green vegetables such as spinach, which have been considered its major dietary sources, as well as in supplements. Research presented at the annual American Dietetic Association Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in 2003, by Elizabeth Johnson from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University also showed that natural lutein esters found in eggs are as or even more bioavailable as the forms of the nutrient offered in purified lutein products. Johnson's trial tested serum lutein concentration in 10 healthy men, before and after daily consumption of 6mg lutein obtained from four different sources: eggs from chickens fed marigold petals (which are high in lutein), spinach (one of the best known sources of dietary lutein), lutein ester supplements (purified lutein) and lutein supplements. Differences in serum lutein levels in response to the various types of doses were observed the day after the first dose: the serum lutein response to egg was significantly greater than the supplements but no higher than the response to the spinach. After nine days of daily lutein dosing, the serum lutein response was significantly greater in the egg phase than either of the supplements or the spinach. The bottom line: this study suggests that eating lutein-rich foods may be a more effective means of boosting lutein concentration in the eye than taking supplements.

Another human study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, confirms that lutein is best absorbed from egg yolk—not lutein supplements or even spinach. Egg yolks, although they contain significantly less lutein than spinach, are a much more bioavailable source whose consumption increases lutein concentrations in the blood many-fold higher than spinach.

Although the mechanism by which egg yolk increases lutein bioavailability is not yet known, it is likely due to the fats (cholesterol and choline) found in egg yolk. Lutein, like other carotenoids, is fat-soluble, so cannot be absorbed unless fat is also present. (If this is the case, then to enhance the lutein absorption from spinach and other vegetables rich in this nutrient, we suggest enjoying them with some fat such as extra virgin olive oil). To maximally boost your lutein absorption, you could also combine both eggs and spinach. Whether you prefer your spinach steamed, sautéed or fresh in spinach salad, dress it with a little olive oil and a topping of chopped hard-boiled egg. For a flavorful, quick and easy recipe featuring eggs and spinach, try our Poached Eggs over Spinach and Mushrooms.

Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... ce&dbid=92

This is why you can't just look at a food label to determine what to eat.

Spinach and Kale are good suggestions for someone with egg sensitivities, but eggs are basically nature's multivitamin and a better form of nutrients. All fat soluble nutrients require the presence of fat (butter, olive oil, egg yolks, etc) if you want to have a chance of absorbing them. Nature already provides the fat necessary to absorb these nutrients in the egg yolk. And eggs are a lot tastier than eating spinach and kale every day. Pastured eggs, from hens fed marigolds, are the highest bioavailable source of lutein/zeanthin.

[Benko]

My bad.  I forgot that the person I wrote this for can't eat eggs.  So yes, egg yolks for Leutin.  I am not so sure for zeanthin.  It is difficult to even find data for the two seperately since one of the commonly used assays lumps them together.  Personally I'll keep eating orange peppers (highest source of zeanthin on the one table that listed zeanthin separately).  And I would certainly wonder if there are nutritional substances in green leavy veggies not in egg yolks.

"Egg yolks are the best bioavailable source of lutein (and zeanthin)."
Find me a reference listing amount of ZEANTHIN in egg yolk.  Most tables list "leutin + zeanthin" content.

And really, there is no one answer for everything e.g. lycopene is best from tomatoes, yes, cooked with fat (or eating watermelon, or some other fruit which is no longer sold as a supplement).  Or do you have an animal source for lycopene?

[Gumby]

Again... you can't just look at a label to determine how absorbable nutrients are from plants. Animal products break down extremely well in acid. Plants, not so much. Furthermoire, Zeaxanthin is a fat-soluble substance, so your body can't absorb it very well without the presence of fat. Egg yolks are just a highly bioavailable form of nutrients. So, comparing labels won't get you anywhere.

Anyway, eggs are the best bioavailable form of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Finally, eggs are an excellent source of carotenoids. These are primarily highly absorbable forms of lutein and its partner zeaxanthin. These carotenoids accumulate in the back of the eye and appear to protect against age-related macular degeneration. There is no RDA for them, as researchers are still trying to understand their importance. All of the lutein and zeaxanthin in an egg is contained in the yolk.
Source: http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Egg_Yolk.html

See also...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10426702
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/10/2568.long

[Gumby]

And really, there is no one answer for everything e.g. lycopene is best from tomatoes, yes, cooked with fat (or eating watermelon, or some other fruit which is no longer sold as a supplement).  Or do you have an animal source for lycopene?

Lycopene is not an essential nutrient, meaning that the body can function without it. It's not widely established in the scientific literature as being particularly crucial for health — there is no established "RDA" of lycopene. As I said, plants are important for cleansing and protecting our bodies from toxins and oxidation. But, plants aren't a good bioavailable source of crucial nutrients such as long chain fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins and other fat soluble nutrients (like lutein and zeaxanthin).

[Reub]

Benko and Gumby, thank you for helping to keep me healthy!

[Pointedstick]

I second that. The nutritional knowledge available here is astonishing!

[MachineGhost]

The reason they are better absorbed from egg yolks is likely due to the lecithin.  However, one big negative about eggs I recently discovered is they all contain soy protein and isoflavones: http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/soy-pr ... n-tissues/

Lecithin is an emulsifier and is commonly used by experimenters to increase absorption and bioavailability of bio-agents.  In fact, there are several high absorption commercial versions of poorly absorbed bio-agents, such as curcumin, green tea, milk thistle, resveratrol, etc. that are sold in the form of phospholipids (which I think are like "buckyball" carriers).  Lecithin can turn any bio-agent into a phospholipid by mixing with a blended lecithin and water combo and placing in an ultrasonic cleaner for 20 minutes or so.  Even better are liposomes, but that has failed to catch on in the marketplace.

I take all softgel (fat soluble) supplements with my low carb, fat+protein smoothie for maximal absorption.  Generally, there is enough fat provided in softgels to ensure the fat soluble ingredients absorption, though.

Spinach has oxalate acid issues, so taking 1 cup a day (frozen) to get a therapeutic 20mg of lutein is just not a good idea long-term.

[Gumby]

However, one big negative about eggs I recently discovered is they all contain soy protein and isoflavones: http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/soy-pr ... n-tissues/

Thank you for posting this. I emailed the farmer of what I considered to be the best "pastured" organic eggs at the local farmers' market and discovered that their hens are fed organic corn and organic roasted soybeans on their pasture. Very disappointing.

I did more research, and just about every hen in the entire country is fed soybeans for their (cheap) protein source. Now we eat those phytoestrogens for breakfast (albeit in limited concentrations).

100 years ago, chickens were fed table scraps, whey and whatever bugs and worms they could find. They laid less eggs, but the eggs were far more nutritious. Now hens lay more eggs but our hormones may pay the price.

There are a few brands that sell soy-free eggs, but they are almost impossible to find. I know there is a brand in California and one in Wisconsin. Vital Farms (sold in Whole Foods) claims on their website...

In addition to grass and other pasture goodies, our hens get a feed ration made up mainly of organic corn and a small amount of unprocessed organic soybean meal. It's the only way that we can insure that they get enough of the essential amino acid, lysine in their diet, without which, they simply won't lay eggs. There are no GMO's or any other non-organic ingredients in our birds' feed. In speaking with a number of customers over the years with soy allergies, we've been told repeatedly that they've had no adverse reactions from eating our eggs.

There are some soy-free eggs on the market, but they often use animal products such as blood or bone meal (mainly from chicken) or fish meal, a non-sustainable source of protein. We won't feed our girls feed that contain either. We are in the process of seeking a grain alternative to soy from non-traditional sources and hope to have news to you when we are happy with the results.

The main ingredient in our girls diet however, remains what they forage in the pasture which, along with all feed is 100% certified organic.
Source: http://vitalfarms.com/faq.html

However, if soy-free eggs are not an option, once can reduce the amount of phytoestrogens in their eggs by buying eggs advertised to have greater than 600mg of Omega-3.

Eighteen different fresh egg products were analyzed (Table 3.1). The claims found on the labels varied from hen feeding (vegetable fed hens), to laying hen living conditions (cage free), to increased nutrient content (high omega-3, high vitamin E), to final product processing (pasteurized). As can be observed in Table 3.1, some products had several different claims, and the eggs also included white and brown types.

Daidzein, genistein and equol concentrations are presented in Table 3.2. and the isoflavone profiles are shown in Figure 3.3. Isoflavone concentrations within different claims varied from 33 to 120 µg of isoflavones/100g of yolk. Overall, the results for the various claims did not show any statistical differences. However, high omega-3 values showed lower concentrations.

Eggs with claims of omega-3 fatty acids concentrations higher than 600 mg showed lower concentrations when compared to other egg samples. This is explained by the replacement of soybean meal in the feed to increase omega-3 values to such elevated concentrations. The main contributors of omega-3 fatty acids in poultry feed are flax seed and fish oils. It is reported that flax seed could replace soybean meal in up to 2 to 3 % of feed without any side effects (88); however, obtained values suggest higher replacement of soybean meal. This indicates that fish oils might also have been used as a soybean meal substitute.

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Source: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Va ... 1236706764

Of course, there are probably major risks eating eggs from a chicken fed fish oils or flax seed — after all, you're not supposed to heat Omega-3s if you can help it!

What a mess.

[BearBones]

Will have data showing if lutein/zeanthin and fish oil are indeed protective when AREDS 2 study published (perhaps as early as next spring). Right now support is based on good theory as well as epidemiology studies.
http://www.areds2.org

Regardless of the results, I am still gonna eat organic eggs, spinach, and kale. Thanks for the info about eggs, Gumby. I had an uncle who smoked and drank and lived happily to age 97. He ate local farm eggs most mornings (and he drank lots of red wine in the evening).

[MachineGhost]

Here's source for soy-free eggs:

http://www.grassfedtraditions.com/organ ... e_eggs.htm

As to the OP, Acetyl-L-Carnosine eye drops will reverse/prevent cataracts.

[Benko]

Acetyl-L-Carnosine eye drops will reverse/prevent cataracts.

I took Can C eye drops (propriatary version in which I have no commercial interest) and it is likely it did reverse mild cataracts I used to have.  NB There are interfering substances, and I believe it is lutein/zean... cannot be taken while you are using the eyedrops to reverse your cataracts.  This is per communication with researcher and the instructions with Can C said as much.  They also said is was only supplemental form lutein, etc and not that from food which a makes no sense and b. I never got a good answer as to why that would make sense.

I have no idea if the generic works.  I used the formulation on which the research was done.

[smurff]

Now I know why the Amish farmers I buy from make a point of saying their chickens are fed organically, and are NOT fed any soy-based products.

[MachineGhost]

I took Can C eye drops (propriatary version in which I have no commercial interest) and it is likely it did reverse mild cataracts I used to have.  NB There are interfering substances, and I believe it is lutein/zean... cannot be taken while you are using the eyedrops to reverse your cataracts.  This is per communication with researcher and the instructions with Can C said as much.  They also said is was only supplemental form lutein, etc and not that from food which a makes no sense and b. I never got a good answer as to why that would make sense.

I have no idea if the generic works.  I used the formulation on which the research was done.

I looked it up and see nothing special about Can C.  I think the idea of lutein/zeaxanthin contraindicating the eye drops is B.S..  The cornea has no blood supply unlike the back of the eye.  I'm always suspicious of guru-doctors hawking their own products.

I actually had two bottles of acetyl-l-carnosine at one time but being familiar with the alleged difficulty of getting drops into the eyes, I never used the first bottle after opening and it expired after about a month (risk of bacterial contamination after opening).  When I finally got an eye-drop guide a few years later and realized it was more trouble than just putting the darn drops in the eye directly, the second bottles was years past its expiration date.  Third time's the charm right?  I have a tiny cornea scar and wouldn't mind getting rid of it.

There's some evidence the oral version of carnosine can have an effect on cataracts also but I haven't seen any reversal effect after several years.

[Benko]

 I'm always suspicious of guru-doctors hawking their own products

He was not a physician, and certainly no guru he was a research type and I had to track him down. The interference is just what their data showed.