A study that measured blood serum levels of numerous antioxidants was conducted by Japanese researchers. It is commonly known that lutein is only one element in the carotenoid family. This study aimed to evaluate which 1 or ones were most critical in fighting against macular degeneration. The fundamental approach of the study was to compare blood levels of one group who had AMD and another group who did not have AMD.
Macular degeneration mainly comes in two forms. This illness can lead to severe conditions when it advances. But one point is clear that AMD mostly occurs in old men and women. The study found that antioxidants levels had no direct relation with macular degeneration in young folks. The illness in young individuals is possibly caused by generics. It is age-related macular degeneration that is closely associated with antioxidant levels.
In addition to lutein, there are many other antioxidants which includes tocopherol, retinol, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin. Lutein has been widely advocated to be advantageous to the eyes. But this study found that only the blood levels of total carotenoids that mattered, rather than the blood level of single lutein. The result showed that the group with AMD had low blood level of total carotenoids.