Asian Fruit Containing Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Protect from Diabetic Retinopathy
July 27, 2011
Diabetic retinopathy is known to be associated with the oxidative stress related to hyperglycemia. We’ve discussed in this blog the idea that antioxidants may help to minimize the oxidative damage (See Bilirubin Protects Against Diabetic Retinopathy and How Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect From Retinopathy?). In this post reports we’ll discuss new research using wolfberry in the same capacity.
Wolfberry is an Asian fruit that has been traditionally used to prevent eye diseases in aging people. Here it was tested in mice with early stage type 2 diabetes for eight weeks. The outcome was that it restored the thickness of the retina and the integrity of the retinal pigment epithelia (RPE). Many markers of oxidative stress were also lowered.
Wolfberry contains lutein and zeaxanthin, and so the researchers tested these ingredients alone to see if they could mimic the results and thereby provide a possible mechanism for how wolfberry works. Indeed these two ingredients lowered levels of oxidative stress in the same way as wolfberry did.
For the abstract of this study, click here.
Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
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