Lutein and Eye Health - What's in your Garden?

The Washington Post ran a wonderful article about lutein and the colors in your garden.

Lutein supplements are everywhere. Here’s what you need to know about this nutrient.

Lutein is a carotenoid, similar to Vitamin A. In foods, it can be found in dark green vegetables and colored squash. In vitamin supplements, it is commonly sourced from marigold flowers.

Lutein's pigment preferentially absorbs blue and ultraviolet light. It acts as an antioxidant. And it has been shown to be in low amounts of the retina in people with macular degeneration. 

A test can be done in doctors's offices that measures Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD), which roughly measures the lutein and zeaxanthin (a similar and even more targeted molecule) in your body.

Similar to low Vitamin D levels, people are unaware that their levels are low until and unless they have been tested