How Lutein-Rich Foods Impact Vision
Abby Yeater
Article Summary
Karin Hermoni
January 15th, 2016
US News and World Report Health
This article discusses lutein in food and the benefits to eating a lutein rich diet.
Carrots have always been referred to as a food good for your eyes. In the past beta carotene, a vitamin A carotenoid, was given credit for the eye benefits from foods such as carrots. Now, new research is showing that another vitamin A carotenoid, lutein, is a big contributor to eye health. The body does not produce carotenoids, such as lutein, which is why it is imperative to consume leafy green vegetables in which, lutein is found in copious amounts.
Lutein helps to prevent damage in plants by absorbing the excessive blue light energy, as known as high-energy light waves. Lutein behaves in a similar manner within the human body. Lutein is found in abundance in the eyes, protecting the eyes from harm blue light as well.
Lutein, being a carotenoid, is also an antioxidant. As an antioxidant, lutein decreases oxidative damage by destroying reactive oxygen. Since lutein is abundant in the eyes, it increases the antioxidant mechanisms in the eyes providing the eyes with the ability to better adjust to oxidative problems.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) showed that with a supplement of lutein taken consistently, the risk of AMD (macular degeneration) is greatly decreased. Epidemiologic studies have also shown an inverse relationship between the amount of lutein in the eyes and age-related eye diseases such as those mentioned previously.
Article Critique
There are no links to any of her research or most of the other research studies mentioned in the article, which makes it difficult to evaluate the accuracy of statements made. Therefore, the reader does not have access to the information which would back up Dr. Karin Hermoni's claims.
Dr. Karin Hermoni does mention the AREDS2 study in her report. Upon further investigation, the AREDS2 study is backed by the National Institute of Health and provides a full description of their study and results online at www.areds2.org. This piece of information mentioned in the article has solid backing, unlike the other unnamed and not cited studies.
The source of the article is US New and World Report. This website is a well reputable site, posting an array of information. With this in mind, however, a smart reader would make sure to validate the information shown on this website as it covers multiple topics with multiple authors.
Overall, this article is one that has for the most part good, solid information, but information that may be biased. I would trust this article upon doing further research that would validate Dr. Karin Hermoni's claims. This article would instantly be more trustworthy had Dr. Karin Hermoni cited the research studies she mentioned throughout the article.