Wolf Berries (Fructus lycii), Zeaxanthin, ORAC and AMD

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

http://members.aol.com/danlrob2/MDpeople/lutzean.html

" Investigators have found that higher intakes of carotenoids are associated with

a reduced risk of wet (exudative

neovascular) macular degeneration. The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin were

the most strongly associated with reduced

risk of MD.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in highest concentration in the

macular region of the eyes (the back of the

eye where the retina is located), where they are believed to help filter out

damaging blue light and prevent free

radical damage to the delicate structures in the back of the eye. "

http://www.jcrows.com/lutein.html

" Because antioxidants can provide increased protection against the oxidizing

ultraviolet radiation of the sun, anybody

that spends time outdoors exposed to the sun should be concerned with the

potential for ultraviolet radiation to damage

eye health and impact vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids

that become concentrated in the retinal

region of the eye – known as the macula. High dietary intake of lutein-rich

fruits and vegetables has been associated

with a significant reduction in macular degeneration – the leading cause of

blindness in Americans over the age of 65. "

http://www.scisoc.org/aacc/FuncFood/content/releases/PR-Carotenoids10-8.htm

" Carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin, are key to reducing risk of

age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the

leading cause of blindness in people over 65, according to an article in the

August issue of Review of Ophthalmology. "

Now it appears as though Wolf Berries (Fructus Lycii) may be the best source of

zeaxanthin around:

====================

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

1367765 & dopt=Abstract

Se Pu 1998 Jul;16(4):341-3 Related Articles, Books

[separation and determination of carotenoids in Fructus lycii by isocratic

non-aqueous reversed-phase liquid

chromatography]

Li Z, Peng G, Zhang S.

Department of Food Science & Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University,

Wuhan, 430070.

High performance liquid chromatography using a non-aqueous reversed phase with

isocratic elution of C18 columns is a

powerful tool for investigating the carotenoid composition of Fructus Lycii.

This paper compared the effect of different

eluents on the separation of carotenoids. An optimum solvent system consisting

of acetonitrile and methylene chloride is

suitable for simultaneous separation of compounds from polar xanthophylls to

nonpolar carotenoid esters. Ten carotenoids

were separated from Fructus Lycii by using Shim-pack CLC-ODS column(150 mm x 6

mm i.d.) and mobile phase of

acetonitrile/methylene chloride(60:42, V/V) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The

eluates were monitored with UV/VIS

detector at 456 nm. The method which permit direct analysis of carotenoid

extracts without saponification in 30 min

provides a true information of carotenoids composition in Fructus Lycii as they

exist.

Fructus Lycii contains 2952 micrograms/g (2.952 mg / g) of total carotenoids,

but 98.6% of carotenoids are existed as

esterified forms, zeaxanthin dipalmitate are accounted for 77.5% of the total

carotenoide.

PMID: 11367765 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

========================

So for 100 g of Wolf Berries we get 2.952 mg / g * 100 * 0.775 = 229 mg of

zeaxanthin / 100 g.

From the USDA database on carotenoids the next best food is:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/car98/zea_tble.pdf

Yellow corn @ 528 mcg (0.528 mg) / 100 g and

Persimmons @ 488 mcg (0.488) / 100 g.

The level of zeaxanthin in wolf berries is 433 times the level in the next best

food, Yellow corn, and probably partly

explains the very high ORAC result.

Now to find some and add them to my morning

smoothie.............................

========================

Good health & long life,

Greg ,

http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au