Nutrient Duo Saves Eyes and Memory

By Natalie Moore Posted April 5, 2017

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Your vision and your memory are two of the first things to go as you age.

And losing either one can really slam the brakes on your retirement plans.

But it turns out it doesn’t have to be this way.

You see, researchers from the University of Georgia have found that a powerful nutrient duo can keep your vision crystal clear and your mind sharp as a tack well into your golden years.

And believe it or not, these nutrients are in some of your favorite foods.

I’m talking about lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful carotenoids found in leafy greens, peas and eggs.

This combo has been touted for years as a must for healthy eyes because they are the “bricks and mortar” of your macular pigments, which are vital for clear vision.

More recently, however, top researchers looked at how low lutein and zeaxanthin levels can affect your memory.

In the study, participants in their 70s had their lutein and zeaxanthin levels measured. Next, they took memory and cognition tests while having their brain activity measured.

And the results were shocking…

Folks with higher levels of these powerhouse nutrients experienced significant increases in blood oxygen levels in the brain, which can contribute to better memory.

Even better, lutein and zeaxanthin improved brain activity in areas of the brain related to memory and cognitive function.

This means by simply upping your levels of these two nutrients, you can save your sight and keep your precious memories for good.

The only problem is your body is incapable of making ANY lutein and zeaxanthin.

So as you age, your eyes starve for lutein and zeaxanthin because they get only what comes from your diet.

And while they are both found in some of your favorite foods, you would have to eat a boatload of them every day to get anywhere close to a proper dose.

So your best bet is to take them as a supplement. You can find the duo together at natural health retailers.

Be sure to opt for a supplement that offers 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin, as the American Optometric Association recommends these amounts for vision support.

A dosage for cognitive support has yet to be determined, but we will update you when it is.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Sources

^[1] Relationship of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Levels to Neurocognitive Functioning: An fMRI Study of Older Adults.

^[2] Lutein & Zeaxanthin

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

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