Lutein is a member of the carotenoid family of nutrients and may support eye health ”“ not just in the old, though, but in younger individuals as well.
Responsible for the color of vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and other fruits and vegetables, lutein comprises the concentration of pigment in the center of the eye’s retina, where vision sensitivity is greatest.
But the benefits of lutein and lutein supplements may go beyond the minds eye. Adequate amounts of lutein in diet may also support healthy heart and colon function. As is the case with so many of life’s naturally-occurring nutrients, lutein acts as an antioxidant in the body, fighting the free radicals that cause oxidative stress in cells.