New Study in Foods Journal Shows Nutritional Supplementation Protects Eyes from Blue Light Damage
Research from University of Georgia sheds light on vision protection for young and old
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The average American spends over 10 hours a day viewing blue-light emitting screens on computers, smartphones and tablets. Research indicates this may have undesirable effects on eye health, sleep quality, alertness during waking hours and cognitive performance. It is often also responsible for neck and eye strain/fatigue, and headaches.
The resulting "lifestyle" condition, Computer Vision Syndrome, is likely to have an unprecedented impact on eye health at much younger ages than previously seen.
A new study by University of Georgia researchers published in June in the journal Foods showed that supplementing with a proprietary blend of macular carotenoids—lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin—may protect eye health and significantly improve visual performance.
After 6 months of supplementation with macular carotenoids by 48 healthy, young adults who were exposed to at least 6 hours of blue light-emitting devices each day, the findings showed:
- The density of the macular pigments in their eye improved, i.e., the thickness of the eye's blue light filter increased;
- Overall sleep quality improved; and
- Headache frequency, eye strain, and eye fatigue reduced, and visual performance measures versus placebo improved (p < 0.05).
According to lead researcher, James Stringham, PhD, the study offers "a nutrition-based therapy for reducing the incidence of many undesirable outcomes associated with excessive screen time. We have shown that supplementation with the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin, for a period of time as short as 6 months, results in significant improvement in several symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, and improved sleep quality. In terms of public health and natural preventative measures, these findings represent a crucially important way forward," he said.
Stringham's findings were the inspiration for leading health and wellness brand Twinlab to introduce its new Ocuguard Blutein line of supplement products—all containing Lutemax® 2020, the key ingredient in his research. Blutein Protection helps filter blue light and reduces eye strain. Blutein Chewables helps shield developing retinas in children from excess blue light absorption. Blutein Performance enhances visual reaction time and mental processing speed.
For more information on Twinlab's new Blutein products, visit www.blutein.com.
SOURCE Twinlab
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