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From birth to 2 years old is a golden period for a child’s brain and vision to develop remarkably. However, this is also a time when babies are extremely vulnerable, especially their eyes, to blue light from screens, dust, and pollution. Therefore, properly supplementing Lutein early on plays a pivotal role in protecting and nourishing healthy eyes for children.
However, not all parents know how to properly supplement Lutein for optimal effectiveness. Let's explore with Vitatree how to effectively supplement Lutein for your child in the article below!
What is Lutein? Why do young children need early supplementation?
Parents need to clearly understand what Lutein is and why young children need to be supplemented with this nutrient during their daily development.
What is Lutein?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are nutritional carotenoids that accumulate in the human retina and lens, especially in the macula located at the back of the eye. The macula is essential for vision, and Lutein and zeaxanthin are important antioxidants in this area, protecting your eyes from harmful free radicals. Many studies have found that neutralizing these free radicals over time can protect your retina from light damage.
Lutein can also act as a natural sunscreen by absorbing excess light energy. It is believed to particularly help protect your eyes from harmful blue light.
Here are some conditions that Lutein and zeaxanthin can support for visual health:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):
Lutein and zeaxanthin consumption may protect against the progression of AMD, which can lead to blindness.
- Cataracts:
Cataracts are cloudy patches at the front of the eye. Eating foods rich in Lutein and zeaxanthin may slow their formation.
- Diabetic retinopathy:
In both human and animal studies, research on diabetes has shown that Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation has been proven to enhance retinal function.
- Retinal detachment:
Animal studies show that supplemental Lutein helps effectively improve retinal protection.
- Uveitis:
Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye. Research indicates that Lutein may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the uvea.
Lutein crosses the blood-retinal barrier to form macular pigment.In recent years, studies have shown that Lutein is not only closely linked to visual health but also has a strong connection to brain development and cognitive performance.
SEE MORE: Lutein for children: Effects, how to supplement, and Lutein-rich food sources parents need to know.
Why supplement Lutein for children early on?
Many parents only begin to pay attention to their child's vision when they start primary school or older, due to the increased time spent on homework and school. However, the period from 0-2 years old is precisely when visual perception and the optic nervous system develop most strongly.
Lutein supports optimal visual health in children.
1. Children's vision develops from early life
The eyes are one of the first organs that help children receive visual information right from infancy. In the first 6 years, eyes and brain continuously coordinate to receive, process, and memorize information. However, without adequate essential nutrients, children's vision can easily decline, directly affecting their ability to observe, learn, and develop comprehensive cognitive skills.
2. Increased exposure to blue light
Even before school age, frequent exposure to electronic devices such as phones, TVs, and tablets can damage the retina, cause eye strain, and dry eyes. During this period, children's nervous systems and visual and auditory organs are still immature. Early Lutein supplementation helps this nutrient effectively absorb and block blue light from entering the eyes, thereby protecting the retina and macula.
3. The body cannot self-synthesize Lutein
A crucial factor making early Lutein supplementation for children essential is that, although it is abundant in the eyes and brain, the body cannot produce Lutein itself. Children can only absorb this nutrient through food or specialized supplements.
4. Unforeseen consequences for vision and learning
Lutein deficiency in early life not only affects the ability to see images and clearly observe objects and phenomena around them but also reduces cognitive speed and concentration as children grow older. In the long run, children are prone to myopia, eye strain during study, reduced interest in learning, and difficulty absorbing knowledge.
SEE MORE: Is Pure DHA Important, or Is Regular DHA Enough for Children?
Guidelines for proper Lutein supplementation for children
To help children have healthy eyes and comprehensive visual development, parents need to know how to supplement Lutein for children properly and safely. Here are ways to effectively supplement Lutein for your child's eyes:
1. Choose the appropriate age for Lutein supplementation for children
Lutein is a nutrient involved in the formation of the macula, directly affecting a child's vision and ability to see. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement this nutrient early, right from the womb, through the mother's nutritional sources.
The supplementation process still needs to continue in the early years, especially for ages 0-2, through breast milk, formula, or solid foods when the baby starts weaning, up to main meals.
2. Recommended Lutein dosage by age
Lutein has been proven safe for daily use in specific populations, such as infants for 36 weeks. The dosage studied for babies in this period is 0.14mg, so for the 0-2 age group, using 0.14mg of Lutein can still ensure safety for health and visual development.
3. What Kind of Diet Helps Children Absorb Lutein Best?
A diet rich in Lutein plays an important role in supplementing this nutrient into the body naturally and safely.
Lutein is found in many foods, including egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange bell peppers, kiwi, grapes, zucchini, and squash. The Lutein content in one cup of cooked kale is 44mg, followed by 26mg for spinach, and 3mg for cooked broccoli.
4. How to Supplement Lutein Externally for Maximum Effectiveness
Like many other vitamins and nutrients, Lutein is best absorbed when taken with a meal rich in fats. Therefore, consuming Lutein after nutritious meals, supplementing good fats like olive oil, fish oil, etc., becomes an ideal time for Lutein to be maximally absorbed.
5. Using Lutein Through Health Supplements
Supplementing Lutein through daily food sources.
In many cases, diet alone is not enough, especially in situations where: children are picky eaters, don't like vegetables, or are exposed to a lot of blue light from electronic screens. Children facing vision health issues need precise, stable daily dosages... In these cases, the optimal solution is to use Lutein supplements specifically for young children.
Supplement products are researched to provide sufficient and appropriate Lutein content for children's development. Parents can choose safe Lutein supplements for babies based on criteria such as: natural Lutein sources from marigolds, green algae, etc., combined with DHA or other brain-nourishing micronutrients, easy dosage forms (chewables, syrups, or drops), clinically tested, and from a trusted brand.
SEE MORE: A summary of ways to increase concentration for school-aged children.
With the detailed and scientific information provided by Vitatree, we hope that parents now have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the essential role of Lutein in children's comprehensive development, especially for their eyes.
SEE MORE: At what age should children start taking DHA? Should DHA Be Supplemented Daily
Vitatree Kids DHA supplement combines a golden duo of nutrients for the brain with DHA from marine algae oil and 5mg Lutein for bright, healthy eyes. The product is researched and proven to have simultaneous effects on both children's eyes and brains with appropriate dosages for children aged 6 months and up. Accompany your child's development from their earliest months with a quality product from Australia.
Discover more about Vitatree Kids High Strength DHA Algae Oil plus Lutein and get detailed product information.