Mikronährstoffe und ihre Bedeutung für das Auge – Wirkungsweise von Lutein/Zeaxanthin und Omega-3-Fettsäuren

Zusammenfassung

Mikronährstoffe spielen für die Funktion und für die Gesunderhaltung des Auges eine wichtige Rolle. Insbesondere Lutein, Zeaxanthin sowie Omega-3-Fettsäuren erfüllen dabei wichtige Funktionen: Lutein bildet zusammen mit Zeaxanthin das Makuläre Pigment, beide Carotinoide filtern den schädigenden blauen Lichtanteil des Sonnenlichts sowie das UV-Licht heraus, was zu verbessertem Kontrastsehen und verminderter Blendeempfindlichkeit führt. Weiterhin hat das Makulapigment antioxidative sowie antiinflammatorische Wirkungen. Omega-3-Fettsäuren besitzen ebenfalls antientzündliche Wirksamkeit und schützen umgewandelt in Neuroprotektin vor oxidativ bedingter Apoptose in der Retina. Zudem sind sie für die Fluidität und Versorgung der Photorezeptorenmembran verantwortlich. Diese Eigenschaften sind für die Prävention und Behandlung degenerativer Augenerkrankungen wie der altersbedingten Makuladegeneration bedeutsam. Ältere Menschen sind jedoch häufig nicht ausreichend mit Mikronährstoffen über die Ernährung versorgt. Da sich die Versorgung durch Ernährungsumstellung kaum verbessern lässt, ist eine zusätzliche Aufnahme in Form von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln besonders in dieser Altersgruppe sinnvoll. Wissenschaftliche Studien belegen die positiven Effekte einer Supplementation mit Mikronährstoffen wie Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zink und den Omega-3-Fettsäuren Docosahexaensäure und Eicoasapentaensäure (DHA und EPA). Die derzeit verfügbaren Nährstoffpräparate orientieren sich zum Teil noch an den Inhaltsstoffen der ARED-Studie (Age Related Eye Disease Study). Nach aktuellerer Studienlage sollten bei der Auswahl jedoch Formulierungen mit Lutein und Omega-3-Fettsäuren in physiologisch sinnvoller Dosierung ohne zusätzliches Beta-Carotin bevorzugt werden. 10 – 20 mg Lutein und Zeaxanthin stellen eine sichere Tages-Dosierung dar. In dem oben dargestellten Zusammenhang spielt Beta-Carotin für das Auge eine untergeordnete Rolle und ist in hoher Dosierung vor allem für Raucher kritisch für die Gesundheit. Die vorliegende Arbeit fasst die Funktionen der genannten Mikronährstoffe am Auge zusammen und kann Ophthalmologen bei der Beratung ihrer Patienten unterstützen.

Abstract

Micronutrients play an important role in function and health maintenance for the eye. Especially lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids perform remarkable functions: lutein together with zeaxanthin forms the macular pigment, these carotenoids filter out the damaging blue light component from the sunlight as well as the ultraviolet light which leads to improved contrast sensitivity and less problems with screen glare. Furthermore, the macular pigment has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The omega-3 fatty acids also possess anti-inflammatory effects and, when converted into neuroprotectin, they protect against oxidative induced apoptosis in the retina. They are also responsible for the fluidity and supply to the photoreceptor membrane. These properties are important for the prevention and treatment of degenerative eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration. However, older people are often not sufficiently supplied of micronutrients in their diet. Because the supply of nutrients can hardly be achieved by dietary change, the additional intake in the form of food supplements is useful in this age group. Scientific studies have shown the positive effects of supplementation with micronutrients such as lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA and EPA). Currently available nutritional products are based in part on the ingredients of the ARED study (Age Related Eye Disease Study). According to more recent studies formulations containing lutein and omega-3 fatty acids in physiologically meaningful doses without additional beta-carotene should be preferred. 10 to 20 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin represent a safe daily dose Regarding to the context above, beta-carotene in high doses plays a minor role to the eye and is especially critical for the health of smokers. This paper summarises the functions of the presented micronutrients in the eye and can assist ophthalmologists in advising their patients.

Schlüsselwörter

AMD - Lutein - Omega-3-Fettsäuren - Makulapigmentdichte - Mikronährstoffe - Dosierungsempfehlung

Key words

AMD - lutein - omega-3 fatty acids - macular pigment density - micronutrients - dosage recommendation

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