Zeaxanthin is also known as eye vitamin, once it is taken by our body, it is directly drawn into the eyes. It goes in way first into the lens, then to the mula, fovea, which is a center spot of retina.
Zeaxanthin helps us to build a yellow-colored pigmented compound, which shields the eye cells against the harmful effects that are caused due to certain sources of light, including the light from the sun.
Zeaxanthin helps in protecting the eyes from various harmful free radicals which forms a over time after the oxidation process, few dietary sources of zeaxanthin has been studied and protective factors in the age-related factors like macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration leads to blindness in most of the people who are above 65 years of age. In some cases, macular complication affects the younger people.
Zeaxanthin on acting along with lutein acts as a dietary carotenoid which get accumulated in the retina of the eye, particularly in the region of macula. As both the substances are found in large amounts of the macula, which are also known as macular pigments.
Zeaxanthin and lutein also helps in benefiting the body such as
Age related macular degeneration: Lutein and Zeaxanthin helps us to protect the eyes against the macular degenerations, which on later periods if left untreated leads to blindness.
Cataract: A cataract is condition which can be defined as the clouding of the lens in the eyes. Zeaxanthin and lutein consumption also helps us to slow down the process of forming the cataracts.
Uveitis: Uveitis is the inflammation or the swelling of the uvea in the eyes. Uvea is generally located in the center of the eye, it is found between the sclera and the retina, which is responsible for supplying blood to the retina. Zeaxanthin and lutein also play an important role in reducing the inflammatory processes.
Diabetic retinopathy: It is one of the complication factors of retina, which results in damaging the blood vessels that is present in retina of the eyes. On supplementing with zeaxanthin and lutein, it reduces the oxidation processors which damages the eyes.
Other Benefits: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only dietary carotenoids, which accumulates in the retina, especially in the macula region, that is situated at the back of our eyes. As these are found in concentrated amounts in the macula, there are often referred to as macular pigments.
The macula plays an important role in vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin work as an important antioxidant by protecting the eyes against harmful free radicals.
On removing these antioxidants, it leads to damaging of the health of the eyes. Lutein also acts as a natural sun block, which absorbs the excess light energy, and especially to protect it from harmful blue light rations.
On recent years it is also suggested that zeaxanthin has a various benefit in protecting the inflammations in the skin that are caused by UVB-induced radiations.