When it comes to whole body health, vitamins, minerals and superfoods tend to get all the attention, but what if there was a nutrient, readily available in a variety of foods, that could positively impact everything from your skin, to your eyes, to your brain? The nutrient is lutein, and while it might not be as popular as vitamin D, or as glamorous as açai, it is absolutely essential to your health. 

Lutein belongs to the carotenoid family, a group of powerful antioxidant compounds that also includes beta-carotene and lycopene. It is found in green vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli, and in smaller quantities in egg yolks, sweet corn, and squash. Lutein is unique in that it is one of a few carotenoids that are found abundantly in the human body, in particular in the eyes, skin, and brain.*