Marigold Compound Maintains Eye Health

Sourced from marigold flowers, lutein is a carotenoid for which previous studies suggest antioxidant effects. Lutein is found in high concentrations in the macula (the central area of the retina) where it is thought to filter high-energy wavelengths of visible light and protect the retina against oxidative stress.  Y. Tian, from the University Eye Clinic Maastricht (The Netherlands), and colleagues enrolled 70 men and women with early-stage age-realted macular degeneration (AMD), in a study in which subjects were randomly assigned to receive either lutein (10 mg/day) or placebo, for one year. Measuring plasma levels of sC5b-9, a marker of systemic inflammation, the team found that the group receiving lutein exhibited lower levels of sC5b-9, decreasing by 1.1 ng/ml per month; sC5b-9 increased monthly in the placebo group.   The study authors submit that: “Lutein supplementation inhibits the systemic activation of the complement system, which provides further functional evidence for the reported beneficial effects of this carotenoid in the management of [age-related macular degeneration.”