Digital devices are a mainstay in today’s world, making safeguarding eye health more challenging than ever, especially for young eyes. For parents and grandparents, it may be surprising to hear that a new research study published in Advances in Therapy showed that children taking supplements of lutein and zeaxanthin not only experienced significant benefits in eye health but also cognitive function. Optometrists have long recognized the value of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation for boosting eye health for adults; however, there has been little research on how lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation affected children’s eyes, which is why this new study has been very exciting for optometrists like Dr. Joseph Allen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO. Dr. Allen has partnered with OmniActive’s consumer education initiative, Lutein For Every Age, to help empower people to understand better how these powerful carotenoids impact our eye and brain health throughout life.
Eye Health: Protecting Against Digital Eye Strain
In our tech-driven world, children are increasingly exposed to blue light starting as early as infancy. Blue light is visible light that comes from many sources, including digital devices and TV screens. It penetrates deep into the eye and has a direct impact on retinal cells. The new clinical study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where 60 children were administered a supplement of Lutemax Kids (Lutemax 2020, 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin isomers) or a placebo every day for 180 days. Researchers measured outcomes related to both eye health as well as cognitive function. They discovered that children who took lutein and zeaxanthin improved macular pigment scores. Macular pigment is important for filtering out high-energy blue light and is also a marker for retinal health. Also, visual processing speed improved while eye strain or eye fatigue decreased after digital device use.
Cognitive Benefits: Enhancing Brain Function
Beyond improved eye health, children who received a supplement of Lutemax Kids during the study saw a significant improvement in cognitive health in areas of focus, attention, and episodic memory, which is the ability to recall past personal experiences. They also experienced an improvement in visual-spatial memory, which is the ability to identify and analyze a familiar location like a playground or a classroom. Another important improvement was in processing speed, which helps with activities such as walking or playing. All of these functions are very important for the development of healthy eyes and brains in young children. A majority of classroom learning is visual. According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2014 survey, 83% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 use an electronic device for more than three hours a day. The new research study shows that supplementing with Lutein and zeaxanthin can help relieve eye strain related to electronic device use.
Challenges and Solutions for Getting Enough Lutein and Zeaxanthin
According to the CDC, a 2019 study found that only one in ten U.S. adults eats the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. Similarly, only 12% of children in the U.S. are getting the recommended amounts of vegetables each day. Vegetables are a major source of lutein and zeaxanthin. The body doesn’t produce these carotenoids on its own, which is why a healthy intake of leafy green vegetables, as well as supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin, are so important. Unfortunately, many parents aren’t aware of which foods are uniquely beneficial for eye health and vision. Most parents still believe carrots are the number one vegetable for boosting eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends leafy greens like kale and spinach. Dr. Allen agrees, saying, “I personally recommend for people to first try to focus on eating whole, healthy foods and getting their lutein and zeaxanthin naturally that way, eating things like egg yolk, red peppers, and again, the green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, for example.”
Of course, it can be quite difficult for parents and guardians to get children to eat their vegetables. Thankfully, the new study shows that taking a supplement can be an easy and effective way to receive the recommended amount of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutemax Kids for Growing Children
Lutemax Kids is a naturally derived marigold extract that delivers an efficacious dose of all three macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin—in a similar 5:1 ratio as found in the diet. As the new research has shown, just 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin isomers from Lutemax Kids support both eye and cognitive health in children. “If you do see a logo that says Lutemax Kids or Lutemax 2020 on it, that is the same formulation of lutein and zeaxanthin that was used in this study,” says Dr. Allen. Whether you prefer gummies, tablets, or powders, Lutemax Kids can be found in several high-quality supplement forms to offer daily eye health support for children easily. To learn more about Lutemax Kids, visit our store today!