Market Situation and Application Prospect of Lutein

In the face of eye diseases, we must have the awareness of prevention and treatment in advance, we must learn to protect our eyes. It has been found that zeaxanthin and lutein can effectively prevent or alleviate such diseases. What is the market situation and application prospect of lutein? Lutein coexists with zeaxanthin in nature, it is the main component of plant pigments such as corn, vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc. It is contained in the chloroplast of leaves, which can transmit absorbed light energy to chlorophyll a, presumably to photooxidation, light Destruction has a protective effect. 

With the increase of age, the aging of the body and the work, the excessive use of electronic products in life, more and more people suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, myopia and other eye diseases. There are data showing that China is currently The number of myopia patients is as high as 600 million, accounting for almost 50% of China's total population. The youth myopia rate is already the highest in the world. Among them, the high school students and college students in China have more than 70% nearsightedness. Compare other countries, the United States The myopia rate of adolescents is about 25%, Australia is only 1.3%, and the myopia rate in Germany has been kept below 15%. Medical evidence that myopia is more than 600 degrees, and if it is not treated in time, it may be passed on to the next generation.

Three Main Benefits of Lutein

1. Protection of Vision

(1) Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main pigment components of the retina

Zeaxanthin and lutein are present in various tissues of the body, with ocular tissue being the most prominent. Zeaxanthin is mainly found in the foveal area of the retina, while lutein is mainly present in the area around the retina. Lutein is not made by the human body and must be supplemented by intrusion. If there is no such element, the eye will be blind.

 (2) Filter blue light, delay eye aging and prevent lesions

The macular pigment is composed of zeaxanthin and lutein. The molecular structure of zeaxanthin and lutein contains alternating single and double bonds. The presence of conjugated double bonds gives them a peroxidic group, which can effectively quench oxygen. The free radicals transmit, thereby exerting an antioxidant effect and reducing blue light bruising, thereby protecting the eye tissue from irritation and damage. 

Decreased macular pigment density (MPOD) will lead to the irreversible structure of the retina and the low function of the retina to cause the occurrence and development of retinal diseases.

(3)Prevent eye diseases and improve vision

Lutein and zeaxanthin can prevent the occurrence of full-vehicle such as retinal coloration of age-related macular degeneration. In addition, lutein can also protect vision. Delay the deepening of myopia and relieve visual fatigue.

2. Effect on Brain Health

One of the reasons why lutein has been hot in research for many years is that its health effects are constantly being confirmed by clinical research. Brain health is one of them. In recent years, research on lutein in the brain has been very good. The link between heat, such as MPOD and time processing speed, can serve as a marker of central nervous system health. Retinal tissue. The location of optic nerve and brain tissue proximity determines, in part, that lutein protects the eye. It can also improve brain health.

A study by the University of Georgia in 2017 found that lutein and zeaxanthin help promote brain health in the elderly. Researchers point out that subjects with higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the body recall the words they learned early. It can be done with only a small amount of brain activity, which means that the nervous system of these subjects is more effective. Another study also shows that Omega's Lutemax 2020 lutein product can significantly improve brain-derived neurotrophic nutrition. Factor (BDNF), a protein involved in neural plasticity that grows and differentiates into neuronal cells, enhances learning, remembers billions of functions and cognitive functions, etc. Visual and Neurological Sensitivity II (LAMA II) studies It was found that this product can reduce the production of cortisol water, which is a stress-related factor.

3. Improvement of the Skin

Lutein at the macula protects the eye from photooxidation, and lutein, also deposited on the skin, has a similar effect on skin health. In 2016, a study conducted by OmniActive showed that 10 mg was added daily. Lutemax 2020 products can significantly improve skin health for 12 weeks, such as increasing skin color, brightness, elasticity, and increasing the minimum erythema (MED). The higher the MED content, the stronger the effect on sun protection. Different other carotenoids, This product does not cause carotenoid yellow skin disease, dietary supplements usually cause skin yellowing.

Lutein is a rookie in the field of skin health. It is unique in that it can solve the skin color and sun protection problems faced by people, which also conforms to the development trend of the market from the inside out.

Market Prospects of Lutein

Lutein and zeaxanthin have been very active in the past 5 years. There are many types of products that use lutein in the market. According to market research by Innova Market Insights, new products of lutein and zeaxanthin (including supplements) from 2012 to 2016 The annual growth rate of the compound has reached 23%, of which lutein 25% and zeaxanthin 17.2%. At the same time, Innova also predicts that the global lutein price will be 6.3% at 2017-2020. The growth rate is expected to reach US$350 million. The main driver of the lutein market is consumer concerns about age-related diseases such as macular degeneration. However, more new studies have shown that lutein has applications in other health fields. These new discoveries, such as brain health sports nutrition skin health and sleep management, will attract more consumers from different groups.

From January to September of this year, China's export of lutein totaled 50 million US dollars, with a total quantity of 2,800 tons. The top five export markets accounted for 82% of total exports. The top five markets were: Mexico, with exports of 2670. Ten thousand dollars: Spain, the export value is 7.42 million US dollars; Peru, the export value is 3.75 million US dollars; Singapore, the export value is 2.04 million US dollars; Italy, the export value is 1.5 million US dollars. The export of lutein is mainly marigold extract.