Why Lutein & Zeaxanthin from Marigold Flower Extract?

Remember those childhood days when carrots were a non-negotiable part of dinner? And ever wondered why your mom insisted on carrots for better eyesight? Well, she was onto something with Beta-Carotene, but there's more to the story.

Lutein (say it, 'loo-teen'), another carotenoid, may be even more important for healthy eyes.* Here's what you need to know:

If you think of Vitamin D as the 'sunshine vitamin,' then you can think of Lutein as the 'vision vitamin.'*

Quite abundant in green, leafy vegetables and in certain types of orange fruits and flowers, Lutein accumulates in our eyes, especially in the macula (the part of the eye responsible for sharp vision) and the lens (which focuses light).

Too scient-y? Think of Lutein as a yellow tint that shields parts of your eye from ultraviolet radiation—much like sunglasses.*

Why Lutein from marigold flower extract.

Now, at HCF®, our team has spent an almost unreasonable amount of time looking into all the extensive research we could find on this nutrient. What we've discovered? Well, it's what we believe to be the ideal Lutein source: the Marigold flower (specifically the Tagetes Erecta L species).

This amazing plant stands out with its high Lutein AND Zeaxanthin content (more on why Zeaxanthin is so important in a minute). According to research, the Marigold flower has a close-to-ideal carotenoid profile of 80% Lutein to 5% Zeaxanthin.*

'Perfect!' we said. A premium extract that is not only rich in Lutein but also includes Zeaxanthin, another important nutrient for eye health. It's a strong combination of nutrients that may enhance the protective benefits for our eyes, offering something that standard greens cannot.*¹

Lutein vs Beta-Carotene: which and why is a better choice?

Now, some of you may wonder: OK, but what about Beta-Carotene? Family dinners? The carrots? No... we haven't forgotten about Beta-Carotene :-). While both Lutein and Beta-Carotene are crucial for eye health, they serve distinct functions.*

Beta-Carotene, found in orange-colored fruits and vegetables, is a precursor to Vitamin A, and it can play an important role in maintaining healthy vision, (especially in low-light conditions).*²

Unlike Beta-Carotene, Lutein doesn't convert to Vitamin A. However, it can be a better choice due to its unique ability to accumulate in the retina, specifically in the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for high-resolution vision).*²

And here's where Zeaxanthin (the other carotenoid we discussed a bit earlier) comes into play.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin (both of which, as you probably remember, are abundant in marigold flower extract) are the only two carotenoids known to cross the blood-retina barrier to form the macular pigment.*³

This pigment acts like a natural sunblock, absorbing excess light energy and protecting the eyes from harmful artificial blue light and ultraviolet rays.*

Moreover, recent studies suggest that Lutein may also benefit cognitive function, possibly due to its potent antioxidant properties and ability to accumulate in brain tissue.*

A 2018 analysis exploring a significant amount of specific literature found that "Lutein qualifies as a powerful antioxidant, and many studies support its favorable effects on eye health. Also, L has beneficial effects on other tissues, especially the brain, where it was associated with improved cognitive performance."*⁴

The report's authors also concluded that "[...] not only high L intake with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, but also its supplementation might be encouraged, particularly in the elderly and in individuals at high risk of different health challenges."*⁴

But this extraordinary synergy doesn't stop here.

Lutein's effectiveness may be enhanced further when it works alongside other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C.*

According to research, Vitamins E and Vitamin C may help to regenerate Lutein and Zeaxanthin, boosting their effectiveness. This interaction can be important for the overall antioxidant defense system in the body, but even more so in the eyes.*

Despite its importance, many Americans may fall short in their Lutein intake.*

Studies suggest that a daily intake of about 6-10 mg of Lutein may be beneficial.⁵ However, the average American diet typically provides between 1 and 2 mg of Lutein daily. This gap in dietary intake can be significant.*

Luckily, there are a couple ways to address this.

First, try adding more Lutein-rich foods to your diet. Kale, romaine lettuce, spinach (and other green leafy vegetables), corn, pistachios, and even eggs—all excellent Lutein sources.

And because Lutein is a fat-soluble nutrient, eating or cooking Lutein-rich foods with a healthy fat (like olive oil) can enhance its absorption in your body.

You may also consider our HCF® advanced nootropics that often contain Lutein sourced from Marigold flower extract to bridge the gap.*