Posts Tagged ‘blue light’

Does less blue light = More problems sleeping?

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

If a specific  type of light is transmitted less than normally to a person’s retina, does it increase the likelihood of sleep disturbances?    Researchers in Denmark, who published their results in a recent journal, may have provided an answer.    The spectrum 300x206 Does less blue light = More problems sleeping?researchers found that the chance of sleep trouble or sleep disturbances increased significantly when less blue light was transmitted to a person’s retina.

But how is this significant?   Are we subject to conditions of less blue light?   Yes!   In fact, as we age, the retina receives less blue light due to the yellowing of the crystalline lens inside the eye.    As this lens ages and yellows it slowly creates a filtering effect that reduces the transmission of blue light to the retina.    Unfortunately, this blue light may play an important role in how retinal nerve cells communicate to the hypothalamus for the purpose of creating sleep patterns.

The researchers suggest that this may help explain why some individuals are more likely to have trouble sleeping as they age.    The research also suggests blue-light therapy may be an avenue of further discovery for treating certain sleep conditions.

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Vitamin & Nutrition Corner: Lutein

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Lutein:  A Vital Antioxidant for Eye Health

After speaking last month about Vitamin A’s antioxidant protection in Macular Degeneration, Lutein is a great follow-up.   Lutein is a type of carotenoid, which is a natural pigment Vitamin Nutrition Corner logo 300x109 Vitamin & Nutrition Corner:  Luteinin vegetables and fruits.  Just like beta-carotene and Vitamin A, Lutein serves as a powerful antioxidant within your eyes and protects against the free-radical damage of aging and the sun.   In fact, Lutein has become a star within eye care’s discussion of nutrition in the management of Macular Degeneration.

The macula area of the retina is responsible for your fine, central vision.   And it’s interesting that of the 600 naturally occurring types of carotenoids, only two are found concentrated in the macula area of your retina:   Lutein and Zeaxanthin.   Intake of Lutein has been shown to increase the density of pigment cells within the macula, thus protecting vision in patients with Macular Degeneration.

Should you still be interested in Lutein if you don’t have Macular Degeneration? Yes!  Think blue light.  The high energy wavelengths of blue light, within the visible spectrum of light, can cause oxidative damage to your cells.   Lutein acts as a natural filter of blue wavelengths of light (not to be confused with ultraviolet or UV light).   Some studies say Lutein may be able to filter up to 90% of these harmful light rays, but keep in mind that 73% of all statistics are made up.   But the point is Lutein can help protect the macula area of your retina, and thus protect fine central vision whether or not you have Macular Degeneration.

Last month, I made special note of the side effects of vitamin overdose.  But Lutein is water-soluble.   Unlike Vitamin A, which is fat-soluble, excess Lutein will be excreted in urine and not build up in your tissues.  Excessive intake is not an issue with Lutein.   The recommended daily dose of Lutein is 6-20 mg.    Spinach is the greatest natural source of Lutein, and a large serving may constitute up to 15-20mg of Lutein.

How much Lutein:

  • The recommended dose is between 6-20 mg per day.

Where to get Lutein:

  • Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and leafy lettuce
  • spinach, eggs, corn
  • Synthetic vitamin supplements

Benefits of Lutein:

  • Filtering of blue light to protect macula area of retina against oxidative damage from visible light
  • Protect the macula in patients with Macular Degeneration
  • Increase the pigment density in the macula and possibly improve vision
  • May help fight certain types of cataracts
  • May promote favorable results on the thickening of artery walls in atherosclerosis
  • Possibly improve skin hydration
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