Lutein & Your Brain

The modern lifestyle—which often includes overexposure to screens-generated blue light, has made Lutein an increasingly essential nutrient.*

Lutein is a carotenoid. A yellow-to-orange-colored pigment found in many vegetables but first isolated in carrots—hence its name. Alongside Zeaxanthin (a similar naturally occurring carotenoid), this nutrient can be found in the retina.

Now, hold on a minute. What does Lutein (which is commonly researched for its eye benefits) have to do with cognitive health? Well, keep reading. It's just getting interesting!

Screen time: what can overexposure do to our eyes.

Most of us spend hours every day looking at our phones, tablets, computers, or TVs. These devices emanate artificial blue light. And, according to research, artificial blue light may be damaging to your eyes. Think of it like a sunburn, but instead of affecting your skin, it can burn... your eyes.*

Exposure to artificial blue light can harm the retina as it penetrates deeply into the eye. To make things even worse, the risk of developing and worsening age-related eye problems may also be associated with cumulative exposure to artificial blue light.*¹

Here's where Lutein & Zeaxanthin can step in.

Think of sunglasses. You wear them when it's sunny outside. A similar concept can be applied in the case of these two carotenoids. 

According to ongoing research, Lutein and Zeaxanthin can help your body produce the macular pigment that protects the macula and filters out damaging blue light, preventing oxidative damage to this delicate region.*

Myth buster: Lutein only benefits your eyes.

Some of our HCF® advanced nootropics contain Lutein. Not without reason. We opted to include Lutein because it can play a pivotal role not just in keeping your eyes healthy, but also in promoting neuron health. And, if you think about it, that makes perfect sense, right? The retina is structurally an extension of the head-brain itself.*

Lutein and Zeaxanthin belong to a subgroup of carotenoids called xanthophylls, which have recently been identified as the dominant carotenoids in all major brain areas.*^2,3

Following these interesting findings, researchers at the University of Georgia carried out the first-ever randomized, controlled trial to test whether supplementing with Lutein and Zeaxanthin can benefit older people's cognitive function.*⁴

In this study involving seniors averaging 72 years old, participants either took a placebo or a supplement containing Lutein (10 mg) and Zeaxanthin (2 mg) daily for a year.

Using advanced imaging, researchers observed real-time brain activity during cognitive tasks, focusing on blood flow to gauge brain effort. Two key findings emerged:

→ 1) Those supplementing with Lutein and Zeaxanthin maintained their cognitive performance throughout the year, indicating the supplement's potential positive mental impact.*

→ 2) Supplemented participants saw increased brain blood flow in areas crucial for cognition and memory, unlike the placebo group. This may suggest that Lutein and Zeaxanthin can provide support against age-related cognitive decline and enhance brain blood flow, even when supplementation starts at an older age.*

But there's more. An even more extensive 2017 study looked at 4,076 adults over 50. Researchers observed that people with higher amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthin scored better in various cognitive tests.*⁵

These tests measured things like memory, executive function (think reasoning, planning, and emotional regulation), and how quickly they processed information.*

Lutein may be more than just a brain booster for seniors.*

Did you know Lutein is also the primary carotenoid found in developing brains? Studies have found that young adults with thicker macular pigment (meaning they have more Lutein in their brains) may not only do better in cognitive tests, but they do so with their brains cruising in a 'relaxed mode.'*⁶

That's pretty interesting, right? Those studies got us excited too, for sure. And we have even more exciting research to share! 

A thicker macular pigment in young adults may be linked to better grades in school.⁷ Even college students, who typically are "at the peak of their cognitive life," saw improvements in reasoning, memory, and attention when supplemented with Lutein and Zeaxanthin.*

And finally, a new study looked into Lutein's potential brain benefits during key growth phases. Teams from Harvard and Tufts University followed participants in the ongoing Project Viva, a project designed to look into how what moms and young adults eat (among other things) affects their health.*⁸

And guess what they found. Moms with a higher Lutein and Zeaxanthin intake during pregnancy had kids who were sharper verbally and better at controlling their behavior in their early years.*

All these sound amazing! But how does it work, exactly?

Researchers are still looking into how Lutein and Zeaxanthin can offer protective benefits for the eyes and the head-brain (which is part of your brain network—Head [1st Brain] is your ‘Mental Intelligence Center’, Heart [2nd Brain] is your ‘Emotional Intelligence Center’ and, finally, the Gut [3rd Brain] or your ‘Physical Intelligence Center’). However, based on the available data, they believe it has to do with their unique biological structure.*

Xanthophylls can 'immerse' themselves in the fatty brain cell membranes, crossing between the cell's exterior and interior environments.² This can stabilize cell structures and help protect against oxidative stress inside and outside the cell.*

What's particularly intriguing is that your brain automatically concentrates xanthophylls in the most vulnerable regions - where polyunsaturated fatty acids reside. Once there, Lutein/Zeaxanthin may provide neurologically important fats that can protect against oxidative and physical stress.*² 

Optimal Lutein intake? It may pose a challenge if you think just food.*

Since your body can't produce Lutein or Zeaxanthin, you typically get these two nutrients from diet (or supplementation). But, can you achieve an optimal intake through diet alone? That's where things may get tricky.*

Here's why:

Limited sources of Lutein in our diet.*

While Lutein can be obtained from a bunch of different foods, leafy greens (like kale and spinach) and Swiss chard are some of the few sources that actually contain significant amounts. And let's be honest. Not everyone can include these in their daily eating habits. Or can afford to do so.*

Cooking may destroy some of the Lutein from foods.

How food is cooked can impact the nutrient content. Boiling or frying may destroy some of the important nutrients in foods. On the other hand, sauteing or steaming might help retain more Lutein.

Even if you're consuming Lutein-rich foods, your body's ability to absorb and utilize Lutein may vary.*

Factors like dietary fats—which can enhance Lutein absorption—may play a role here. Sometimes, it's not just about what and how much you eat, but how well your body can absorb and use the nutrients.*

Plus, some groups may be even more exposed to nutrient deficiencies. Take seniors, for instance. As we age, our body's ability to absorb nutrients can diminish. Seniors, who might benefit the most from Lutein due to its protective properties against age-related vision issues, might find it even more challenging to get enough from their diet.*

This is where our HCF® advanced nootropics can offer additional support to those looking to supplement their nutrient intake with a quality product. Infused with Lutein and often other neuro-nutrients, our nootropics are designed to complement your daily wellness routine.*