Full Transcript Introduction and Guest Welcome 0:00 Children, their lens is less is more transparent than that of adults and therefore the light filtering capacity of children's eyes is poor relative to 0:14 that of adults. 0:16 The other piece I want to also highlight here, not just in the context of children but in infants, is that the macular carotenoids are accumulated as early 0:26 as during gestation, during pregnancy, within the first trimester of pregnancy. 0:32 Welcome to the IQ Podcast. 0:35 I'm Dr. 0:35 Ronni Banek, here to help you boost your IQ with powerful insights that connect your eyes, your brain, and your whole body wellness. 0:45 This episode was recorded during the iHealth Summit, where the world's leading experts shared breakthrough insights in vision and holistic eye care. 0:54 Hello everyone and welcome back to the iHealth Summit. 0:58 I'm your host Dr. 0:59 Rani Banik and today it is my honor to introduce my guest Dashani Rai. 1:05 Dashani Rai is a leader as a vision scientist in the area of the macular carotenoids. 1:13 She is part of the team at OmniActive Health Technologies, and she's currently the Vice President of Global Regulatory and Advocacy for OmniActives. 1:24 Thank you so much for joining us on the iHealth Summit, Dr. 1:28 Rai. 1:29 Thank you for the invitation to be a part of this inaugural event. 1:34 And kudos, Dr. 1:35 Banik, for hosting this platform to educate consumers and patients on integrative approaches to support their eye health. 1:44 Oh, thank you for your kind words. 1:46 It really is my mission to get this information out there. 1:50 And I think some of the topics that we're discussing in the Eye Health Summit are not commonly discussed between patients and their eye care providers. 1:58 So it's wonderful to be able to share this important information about how people can be more proactive about their vision health. 2:05 Dr.
Dr. Rai's Path Into Vision Science 2:06 Rai, can you share with us what was your journey into the eye care field? 2:11 I know that you're a researcher, you're a vision scientist, but what interested you so much about the eye that got you turned on to this topic? 2:20 I appreciate that. 2:21 So a little bit about my journey. 2:25 I've always believed that science, when appropriately conducted, translated and disseminated, can be used as a lever to help empower self-care and advanced 2:39 public health. 2:41 I grew up in a household that valued using food as medicine. 2:46 And as a scientist, I also recognized early on that it behooves us to research and understand what is it about certain foods that give it its healing and 3:00 therapeutic properties. 3:01 For example, there's been a lot of buzz around kale and spinach for protecting eye health. 3:08 But do we know what is it about these vegetables that makes them nutritionally and physiologically beneficial? 3:17 In other words, what's in them and how do they work to support vision? 3:22 So addressing and unraveling these types of questions is what has made me passionate about leveraging science as a tool to advocate nutrition and more 3:36 specifically certain food components and bioactives and how they can holistically be used to support health in particular, 3:45 ocular health through all life stages. 3:49 In addition to that, I also want to highlight that I'm a firm believer in the power of connections and collaborations with fellow scientists from academia, 4:00 government, regulatory agencies, and trade organizations, and how we can all work together to deliver and amplify meaning scientific messages for the benefits 4:13 of ocular health and therefore public health. 4:18 Thank you for sharing those insights into your journey, Dr. 4:21 Rai. 4:21 Really, I'm completely in alignment with you when you mentioned the topic of food as medicine. 4:27 I myself have seen the incredible benefits of shifting one's diet to a healthier diet to include some of these nutrients as you mentioned, 4:37 bioactives, to help promote health. 4:40 and prevent against disease. 4:42 Now when it comes to food as medicine, a lot of people have heard about certain types of nutrients that are good for our bodies, 4:49 for example vitamin D or the omega fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, but many people unfortunately have not heard about the macular carotenoids. 5:00 which are so important, so critical for healthy vision. 5:04 I'm going to pick your brain a little bit here about these macular carotenoids. 5:08 First, could you give us an overview about what they are, what types of compounds are these, and what role do they play in eye health? 5:18 And then we'll move on to how can we get these nutrients in our diets. 5:23 Excellent question and very worthy of a simple but maybe somewhat lengthy explanation. 5:31 So let me unpack the answer by first defining the term macula and then subsequently I'll do the same for carotenoids so that we can fully appreciate the 5:45 unique function in the context of eye health. 5:49 So macula is derived from the word macula. 5:53 The macula is a tiny oval shaped pigmented area within the retina at the back of the eye.
What Macular Carotenoids Are and Why They Matter 6:01 The macula is responsible for our central and high resolution vision, which is essential for everyday tasks such as reading, 6:11 driving, including driving at night, recognizing faces and seeing the fine details of objects, especially those that are at a distance. 6:24 The macula is densely packed with photoreceptor cells, the rods and the cones, and it is strategically located close to the optic nerve to facilitate that 6:36 eye-brain crosstalk and communication. 6:40 Now, since the macula is responsible for our central vision, if there's any reduced macular pigment or if there's degeneration of the macula, 6:52 central vision is compromised. 6:54 And eventually this can result in distorted vision or blindness and or blindness. 7:02 In fact, age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of central vision loss. 7:12 So that's the macula and what he does. 7:14 Now let's turn our attention to carotenoids. 7:19 Carotenoids are pigments made mainly by plants and they are what gives the plants their red, orange and yellow colors. 7:30 Carotenoids help plants absorb light energy for the purposes of photosynthesis. 7:38 The most common carotenoids in the North American diets are lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lycopene, and astaxanthin. 7:52 The structural makeup of these carotenoids allows them to be effective quenches of free radicals. 8:00 What are free radicals? 8:02 These are molecules that are generated in the body as a result of metabolic reactions and cellular processes. 8:12 Therefore, because of their structure, these carotenoids are commonly characterized as antioxidants. 8:23 But lutein and zeaxanthin are unlike these other carotenoids, beta-carotene, astaxanthin, lycopene. 8:33 lutein and zeaxanthin have a couple of unique attributes that are exclusive only to lutein and zeaxanthin. 8:45 So for example, once we consume and digest the carotenoids from our diets and or from supplements, only lutein and zeaxanthin makes its way to the macula 9:01 where it is selectively accumulated. 9:04 no other carotenoid, not beta-carotene, not lycopene, not astaxanthin, is deposited in the macula. 9:13 This is why lutein and zeaxanthin are referred to as macular carotenoids. 9:20 Now this would be a good time to highlight that these macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, cannot be made by the human body. 9:32 And we are therefore exclusively dependent on our diets, especially certain types of vegetables and fruits and some types of nuts, 9:43 for example, pistachios, for maintaining adequate levels in the macula. 9:50 Now, to address the other part of your question, why are macular carotenoids important for our eyes? 10:01 I talked about one of the unique aspects of lutein and zeaxanthin is that they are the only carotenoids deposited in the macula within the eye. 10:11 Another unique aspect of lutein and zeaxanthin versus the other carotenoids is that they are highly efficient filters of high energy blue light. 10:23 Blue light is all around us, with the most common sources being sunlight, fluorescent lights, and the display screens of digital devices such as TVs, 10:34 computers, smartphones, e-books, et cetera. 10:38 So why does that matter? 10:40 The lens of the eye is very efficient in blocking out UV light, but not so good when it comes to blue light. 10:50 So most blue light that hits the eye passes through the lens and falls on the retina. 10:57 And if left unattended, repeated blue light exposure can cause oxidative stress and compromise retinal structure and retinal function. 11:09 This is where lutein and zeaxanthin accumulation in the macula becomes relevant, wherein these carotenoids absorb and filter out the blue light to protect 11:21 the retina and support visual function. 11:25 Now, also remember, the eye is a highly metabolic organ and therefore vulnerable to oxidative stress. 11:34 So the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin that is accumulated in the macula determines how efficiently the macula will work to filter out blue light, 11:48 and equally importantly, to mitigate the effects of oxidative stress. 11:54 And this is usually measured in the context of macular pigment optical density. 12:00 Studies show that lower macular pigment optical densities are directly linked to the lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and in turn is correlated with markers 12:15 of vision performance such as your ability to recover your vision after looking at bright lights such as sunlight or when you're driving at night. 12:26 The ability to see during low light conditions and also your macular pigment optical density dictates to a large extent the prevalence and severity of 12:41 digital eye strain because of digital device use. 12:44 One last point in terms of why lutein, zeaxanthin, and macular health is important for overall vision performance. 12:55 Low macular pigment is a risk factor for AMD. 12:59 And we know that AMD in most Western countries is a leading cause of blindness. 13:09 Thank you so much, Dr. 13:10 Rai, for that eloquent explanation. 13:12 I think that's the best explanation I've ever heard of what these macular carotenoids are, their function in the eye, and the benefits of having enough 13:22 of these, the concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula, as we can measure as macular pigment optical density or MPOD. 13:32 So to summarize for our listeners, there are different carotenoids in nature. 13:37 They have various functions, usually to protect plants. 13:40 But when we ingest these carotenoids, they can confer the same protective benefits in our bodies. 13:46 And in terms of the macular carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, because they're so concentrated in the retina, they protect the retina against oxidative stress.
AREDS2, Zeaxanthin Isomers, and Supplementation 13:56 And that is due to various different stressors, particularly blue light. 14:01 So I oftentimes refer to these macular carotenoids as our internal blue blockers, and also the lens does filter out a lot of UV light, 14:10 but some UV light can get into the back of the eye. 14:12 And the thought is that perhaps that these carotenoids can also help to prevent against UV damage. 14:18 Is that safe to say, Dr. 14:19 Rai, that not only can they protect against blue light damage or possibly also other types of photo oxidative stress? 14:28 Absolutely correct, yes. 14:30 And that's mainly because of their ability to absorb light within certain wavelengths. 14:37 Blue light, of course, for sure, as well as UVA and B light. 14:43 Fortunately, the lens at the front of the eye does play a really good role in filtering out most UVA and B light. 14:52 So the macular, but not so good at blocking out blue light. 14:56 And that's where the macular really comes in to block out the blue light. 15:01 And talking about blue light and digital devices, I do want to highlight at this time, I think this may be the right time to mention this, 15:11 that blue light blocking glasses are not effective in blocking blue light in the context of mitigating digital eye strain. 15:24 It is not recommended, mainly because of the absence of data to show a benefit. 15:32 Yes. 15:33 And there have been multiple studies that have failed to show benefit of these blue blocking glasses in preventing many of the symptoms of digital eye strain. 15:42 Whereas on the flip side, as you mentioned, Dr. 15:45 Rye, there are studies to show that these pigments, when we get them in our diet or perhaps from supplementation, which we'll talk about in a moment, 15:54 can help to relieve some of those symptoms of digital eye strain. 15:58 I wanted to just, before we move on more about supplementation, I wanted to have you share with our listeners, you mentioned macular degeneration and how 16:07 these pigments have been shown to help to protect against macular degeneration. 16:12 What is the recommended intake for these nutrients or these bioactive compounds from our diet on a daily basis? 16:19 Are there any generalized recommendations for lutein and zeaxanthin intake? 16:26 In the context of AMD and to a large extent cataract, there's a compelling body of scientific and clinical evidence which points to a minimum of 10 milligrams 16:40 of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin per day. 16:45 I'm really glad you brought up the topic of age-related macular degeneration. 16:51 According to the CDC, more than 19 million Americans over 40 years of age have vision and eye problems. 16:59 And in the absence of effective interventions, the CDC projects that the incidence of age-related conditions such as AMD and cataracts will continue to 17:11 see steep increases. 17:13 And in that vein, the CDC has launched the Vision Health Initiative describing vision loss as a public health problem. 17:22 So in this context, your question is very relevant with respect to nutritional interventions and the role lutein and zeaxanthin can play, 17:35 largely supported by the ARETS II study, which was conducted by the National Eye Institute here in the United States, which I believe is the primary and 17:47 most important work providing gold standard evidence on the benefits of 10 milligrams of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin for delaying the progression 17:59 of age-related macular degeneration, and likewise for supporting macular health through the life cycle. 18:09 Absolutely. 18:09 So in that particular formulation, the researchers in the AREDS2 formulation used 10 milligrams of lutein and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin. 18:21 Correct? 18:22 Is that correct? 18:23 That is correct, absolutely. 18:25 Yes, and so many of the supplements on the market these days, you will see mirroring that dose. 18:34 However, I wanted to point out and ask you, Dr. 18:36 Rai, there is a third macular carotenoid as well, which is known as mesozyazanthin. 18:43 Can you tell us a little bit more about that and its role and how we can perhaps obtain that from diet or supplementation? 18:56 I really appreciate you asking the question because when I talk about lutein and zeaxanthin for vision, I typically reference zeaxanthin in the context 19:08 of zeaxanthin isomers. 19:10 So you have lutein and you have zeaxanthin isomers. 19:18 The zeaxanthin isomers, the way I like to reference them, are like two sister compounds that work in concert to support macular health. 19:31 Mesozeaxanthin is naturally found in the diet, albeit less abundant abundantly than lutein and RR zeaxanthin. 19:41 So you have the two isomers of zeaxanthin, you have RR zeaxanthin, and you have RS mesozeaxanthin.
Sponsor Break and Fortify Product Spotlight 19:48 Again, two sister molecules of zeaxanthin. 19:54 Their relevance, as demonstrated by very elegant research from Dr. 19:59 Paul Bernstein's lab and others, is this strategic location within the macula. 20:08 And I like to describe it, again, in the context of real estate. 20:13 It's all about location. 20:15 And when you look at how these lutein and zeaxanthin molecules orientate in the eye. 20:23 You have mesozeaxanthin that's at the center. 20:28 You have RRRR zeaxanthin around the mesozeaxanthin, and then the lutein comes in and encircles at the periphery. 20:39 So Dr. 20:39 Rai, I like to oftentimes describe this to my patients as you think of the macula as a bullseye. 20:45 So you have the very center of the bullseye, which is the mesozeaxanthin, that one isomer, the RS zeaxanthin isomer. 20:53 And then on the next circle outwards, you have the zeaxanthin or the RR isomer. 20:57 And then outside of that is lutein. 21:00 Is that safe to say, Dr. 21:01 Rai, is that correct? 21:03 Very well described, correct, yes. 21:06 The two isomers of zeaxanthin, their sister compounds, are they interchangeable? 21:11 For example, if we're having enough sources of zeaxanthin in our diet, for example, can that be translated into more mesozeaxanthin? 21:19 Or how do we get the mesozeaxanthin in our system, in our eyes? 21:24 There is an ability of the eye to convert lutein into mesozeaxanthin, and this happens within the eye. 21:32 Having said that the conversion efficiency of lutein being converted to mesozygous antin is relatively poor, which therefore makes logical sense to achieve 21:49 mesozygous antin from the diet. 21:53 And when not possible through the diet, That's when you rely on supplementation. 21:59 Most supplements, most lutein and zeaxanthin supplements typically would have lutein and RR zeaxanthin. 22:08 Few macular carotenoid ingredients like Ludamax 2020 will contain all three macular carotenoids, lutein, RR zeaxanthin and RRS mesozeaxanthin. 22:26 Yes, you can get zeaxanthin, RR zeaxanthin from the dye, but that does not necessarily mean you are also getting RS mesozeaxanthin. 22:36 Understood, understood. 22:37 Thank you for clarifying that. 22:39 Dr. 22:40 Rai, this has been such an intriguing conversation about the macular carotenoids and their benefits for our eye health. 22:47 We are going to take a very short break, hear from our sponsor OmniActives, and then we'll be right back with more on the Eye Health Summit.
Macular Carotenoids for Children and Cognitive Health 22:54 So please stay tuned. 22:56 Did you know that most adults spend over 10 hours a day on devices? 23:00 In our screen-dominated world, meet your eye's new ally, Fortify. 23:06 Fortify is designed to defend your macula against blue light with a potent blend of lutein, zeaxanthin, mesozeaxanthin, and astaxanthin. 23:15 Fortify also helps to support your optic nerve, retina, and cornea with macchi and bilberry extracts, dincobaloba, and a powerful form of vitamin E called tocotrienol. 23:27 From teens to adults, Fortify empowers you for healthier screen time. 23:32 I'm Dr. 23:32 Ronni. 23:33 Don't let screens dim your view. 23:35 See the world without limits with Fortify. 23:38 Science in every capsule. 23:41 Act now. 23:41 Visit my website to learn more about Fortify's powerful ingredients and to purchase. 23:46 Let Fortify be your partner against blue light. 23:50 Fortify, empowering your vision. 23:54 Welcome back everyone to the Eye Health Summit. 23:57 Today we're learning all about the macular carotenoids with our expert guest, Dr. 24:01 Deshani Rai. 24:03 So Dr. 24:03 Rai, you were explaining earlier about how these macular carotenoids have been shown in numerous studies to help protect against conditions like age-related 24:14 macular degeneration and even digital eye strain. 24:17 Now, what about, there has been some more recent research about the use of these carotenoids for children and maybe some of the benefits that they may 24:28 experience with these carotenoids. 24:29 Can you explain a little bit more about those research studies that you and OmniActives were involved with? 24:36 Absolutely. 24:37 I believe the question in the context of macular health for children is relevant, especially given the fact that children their lens is less is more transparent 24:51 than that of adults and therefore the light filtering capacity of children's eyes is poor relative to that of adults. 25:02 The other piece I want to also highlight here, not just in the context of children, but in infants, is that the macular carotenoids are accumulated as 25:12 early as during gestation, during pregnancy, within the first trimester of pregnancy. 25:19 And the macular carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin continue to pass between mother and baby even during the breastfeeding period. 25:28 And studies show that the amount of lutein in zeaxanthin that's passed to the developing feeders and or the developing baby depends to a very large extent 25:40 on what the mom's eating in her diet. 25:43 Now coming fast forward that to the children's study, The study you reference is the first clinical study providing evidence for the benefits of lutein 25:55 and zeaxanthin supplementation in children. 25:58 There have been a bunch of observational studies and epi data speculating that lutein and zeaxanthin can be beneficial in children similar to its benefits 26:11 in adults. 26:13 But there have been no supplementation studies to concretely demonstrate that link. 26:20 And so specifically what we observed was that supplementation with Ludamax 2020 as the sole source of macular carotenoids in the diet was able to increase 26:33 macular pigment optical density in these children. 26:36 And we talked about macular pigment optical density and I talked about how important it is in the context of vision performance. 26:45 We also observed that Ludamax 2020 lutein and the zeaxanthin isomers supplementation improved visual processing speed and reduced eye fatigue and eye strain 27:00 as a result of digital device use. 27:04 And as you correctly pointed out, these outcomes replicate earlier macular carotenoid supplementation studies showing similar benefits for both visual 27:15 performance and cognition in adults. 27:17 And I'll touch on cognition in a few seconds. 27:21 But the goal here is that the study essentially demonstrated that Ludamax 2020 supplementation promoted aspects of cognition related to memory and concentration. 27:39 And these findings are really interesting because they are corroborated by earlier observational data showing that children who have higher dietary intakes 27:52 of lutein had better cognitive function and performance versus those who had lower dietary intakes of lutein. 28:02 And the benefits of lutein, and I call them neuroprotective benefits of lutein, is not surprising, since lutein is also preferentially accumulated in areas 28:14 of the brain, such as the hippocampus and the frontal cortex, areas that are actively involved in learning and processing information. 28:26 Now, the findings are especially overall, collectively, the findings are especially relevant for two key reasons. 28:36 Number one, most children in the United States, as well as in other countries, are not receiving adequate intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin from the daily diets. 28:49 And secondly, Most children exceed the two hour daily screen time limit recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 29:00 And the negative effects of excessive and prolonged digital device use among children, including digital eye strain and academic performance, 29:11 is well established. 29:13 So, taking all this data generated on this topic collectively, including the supplementation study, reaffirms the importance of establishing dietary recommendations 29:26 of lutein and zeaxanthin for both children and adults in the context of vision performance and cognitive health. 29:36 Thank you for sharing those studies and the results. 29:39 I wanted to highlight or emphasize two points that you made, Dr. 29:43 Rai, specifically about children. 29:46 One is that on average, most children in the United States get about only one to two servings of fruits and vegetables per day. 29:56 And that is, unfortunately, woefully inadequate to provide them with the routine that they need for their vision health and their brain health. 30:05 So that's one thing. 30:06 First, there is a gap between what our eyes need and what we're getting through diet across the board, not just children, 30:14 but actually across the board. 30:15 The second point I wanted to highlight is that you mentioned that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends two hours of screen time for children between 30:23 the ages of five to 13. Fortunately, recent studies have shown that many children these days are spending six hours or more on devices, 30:32 so well in excess of that two hours of screen time. 30:36 Honestly, so much of our world is on screens and now many schools have shifted to having their students do homework on screens and then of course children 30:45 go home, they may be playing games on screens, they may be watching television or connecting with friends and family via screen. 30:51 So screen time has exponentially increased in this age group and the diet has not kept up to provide us our eyes or children's eyes with the nutrients 31:01 that we need to keep them healthy. 31:02 Let me ask you the supplementation study in children. 31:06 What was the dose used and how long the dose of Lutamax 2020 that was used and how long were the children given this supplementation? 31:17 So it was a 10 milligram dose of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin, again zeaxanthin isomers, RR zeaxanthin and RS mesozeaxanthin. 31:30 And the reason we targeted 10 milligrams of lutein and two milligrams of zeaxanthin isomers is because it mimics to a large extent what children should 31:41 be getting from their diets should they be consuming at least 50% of the recommended number of servings of fruit and vegetables. 31:51 So that's one piece. 31:52 And then this study was a six month long patient study. 31:56 And we observed placebo-controlled, correct?
Supplement Access, Global Availability, and Myths About Carrots 31:58 It was a prospective placebo-controlled study, which is really the highest level of scientific rigor that we have in these types of studies. 32:08 Exactly. 32:09 It was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, gold standard in terms of clinical study designs. 32:17 Oh, that's wonderful to hear. 32:18 I wanted to ask you a little bit more, Dr. 32:20 Rai, about the cognitive benefits. 32:23 So you mentioned that these nutrients, lutein, zeaxanthin, isomers, can help with the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. 32:31 So I'm assuming that means that translates into memory and cognitive speed, cognitive function. 32:38 Could you talk a little bit more about that? 32:42 Yeah, our studies in adults as well as those of other investigators, both in children and adults, clearly points to a benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin 32:57 intakes either through the diet and or supplementation for cognitive health benefits. 33:02 Our studies showed an improvement in processing speed, verbal memory. 33:07 This is in adults, in composite memory, in children. 33:12 It translated into episodic memory, concentration, better concentration, focus, collectively aspects of cognitive performance that are necessary to support 33:26 academic performance. 33:28 That's wonderful to know. 33:30 And I'm sure many of our listeners, after hearing the results of all of these studies, the benefits for digital eye strain, 33:37 both in adults and in children, as well as the benefits for macular degeneration protection, the benefits for cognitive function, 33:46 people may be interested, our audience may be interested in maybe including Lutamax 2020 within their supplement regimen, 33:54 in addition to, of course, getting some of these nutrients through diet, which is the way nature intended. 34:00 So if they are looking for Ludamax 2020, where may they find this particular, it's an ingredient, correct? 34:08 Yes, so Ludamax 2020 is an ingredient that is subsequently incorporated into dietary supplement omulations and brands So I welcome the audience to visit 34:26 OmniActives.com and you'll get a listing of where you can purchase Ludamax 2020. In other words, which dietary supplement brands contain Ludamax 2020. Wonderful. 34:38 And we will include that link right below the interview so everyone has access. 34:43 And I just wanted to just to echo what you said. 34:45 So there are multiple brands that have this ingredient, correct? 34:50 So it's not just that they have to look for one specific brand or just a few brands. 34:53 There are multiple brands that provide this ingredient, contain this ingredient. 34:58 Exactly. 34:59 And I do want to say that this ingredient has been and the research behind this ingredient has been translated into product offerings, 35:09 not just here in the United States, but it's also been registered specifically for eye health benefits in countries like Korea and Japan, 35:19 Australia and Canada. 35:21 So there are dietary supplement brands out there and products. 35:26 around the world that contain Lutimiramax 2020, including the European Union and South Africa. 35:34 Wonderful. 35:34 It's so reassuring to know that this is a globally really sought out, sought after ingredient because there's so much research behind it. 35:43 There's been so much work that's gone into showing the many multiple benefits, again, not just vision health benefits, but cognitive benefits as well. 35:52 And I can, I just wanted to share with our listeners that, you know, I am a strong believer in food as medicine, but I'm also a strong believer in filling 36:00 in the gaps when necessary. 36:02 And this is a wonderful way to fill in the gaps to really fully support your eye health from the inside out, rather than to try to put a bandaid on it. 36:12 Many people oftentimes do with the blue blocking glasses. 36:15 Yeah, agreed. 36:16 And I believe in this product so much, Lutamax 2020. It is in my own supplement line. 36:22 It's really a key nutrient ingredient in my supplement line. 36:26 And I'm always telling my patients, even if they don't purchase my line, to look for that ingredient in their supplements. 36:32 One thing I did want to ask you, Dr. 36:34 Rai, we mentioned earlier about the AREDS2 supplement. 36:39 Does that supplement, that formulation, typically have Lutamax 2020 as its source of lutein and zeaxanthin? 36:48 Products that are positioned for AREDS or AMD, rather, yes, there are products out there that would be leveraging Omni-actives, 37:00 lutein, and zeaxanthin. 37:02 That is correct. 37:03 Look for the logo on the product. 37:05 Yes. 37:06 That's what I always tell my... 37:08 The Lutamax logo. 37:09 Yeah. 37:09 Look for the Lutamax logo. 37:11 That is so helpful, Dr. 37:13 Rai. 37:14 I'm just so honored to have had the chance to chat with you about this. 37:18 I can see how passionate you are about this topic and how so well-versed you are and how you take such complex concepts and make them very accessible and 37:27 applicable to vision health. 37:29 So thank you for all the work you do. 37:32 Now, before we end our time together, I wanted to ask you one question, which is there are many myths or misconceptions oftentimes propagated about eyes 37:43 or eye care, whether that be passed down through the generations or whether that be something on social media that people hear. 37:50 Is there any particular myth or misconception about ocular nutrition or particularly about the macular carotenoids that you would love to dispel for our 38:00 audience today? 38:00 Yeah, no, this is a fun one. 38:05 In regards to ocular nutrition, carrots are typically considered and recommended to be the best vegetable or the best food for our health. 38:16 And while there's nothing wrong with carrots, I totally agree. 38:20 They are indeed a good source of beta-carotene. 38:24 They are a good source of fiber and other micronutrients. 38:29 Relative to vegetables like kale and spinach and peas, carrots are a very poor source of lutein and zeaxanthin. 38:39 So if you are looking, the method here is don't rely on carrots for all your ocular nutrition needs, especially when it comes to supporting macular health. 38:52 diversify your fruit and vegetable intake, because carrots can't do it all. 39:00 Yes. 39:00 Well, thank you for saying that. 39:01 I always say that, and I tell my patients that carrots are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ocular nutrition. 39:08 You may see only 10% of the iceberg, but then there's 90% under the water. 39:12 So yes, have your carrots, but make sure you're getting that diversity, as Dr. 39:16 Rai just mentioned. 39:17 Have your kale, your spinach, your yellow and orange bell peppers, your egg yolk if you eat eggs, so many other wonderful foods beyond carrots that can 39:27 provide you with these nutrients, and again supplement. 39:30 I'm such a strong believer in supplementation. 39:33 Just given the amount of time we all spend on screens, it's better to be proactive in protecting our retinal health rather than to risk oxidative stress 39:41 and damage. 39:43 Dr. 39:43 Rai, again, thank you so much for this enlightening conversation. 39:46 I really enjoyed learning from you and I hope that people do reach out. 39:51 We will put the OmniActives link and website down below, so if anyone wanted to look into any of those products, they can access them. 39:59 Again, thank you for your time, Dr. 40:01 Rai, and thank you all for joining us for this session on the iHealth Summit. 40:06 I look forward to seeing you all very soon for our next episode. 40:09 Stay tuned. 40:11 Thanks for having me. 40:12 I appreciate it. 40:13 Absolutely.
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