Think lutein is just for your eyes? Think again. In this deep-dive episode, Carl Pradelli, co-founder and CEO of NatureCity, unpacks everything you didn’t know about this essential carotenoid—and why your brain and eyes might be silently craving more of it.
Plus, it’s not a solo performer. To get the most from supplements with lutein, you need two other nutrients from the same antioxidant family.
Find out the best natural source of these nutrients for supplements, misconceptions about food options with these nutrients, and what the science found about supplementing with lutein and its essential nutrient partners.
What You’ll Discover:
• What lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin actually do.
• Why most diets fail to deliver enough to maintain healthy vison and cognitive function.
• Foods that seem rich in lutein and zeaxanthin —but aren’t.
• How lutein can help protect your brain and eyes from digital strain.
• What the latest studies say about supplement ingredients like the Lutemax 2020 in TrueVision.
Lutein is a powerhouse antioxidant often associated with eye health, but this episode reveals it also plays a crucial role in cognitive function. Carl breaks down why it’s so difficult to get enough lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin from food — especially in today’s processed food world — and how the USDA’s early data might still be leading to confusion in your nutrition choices.
You’ll learn how lutein and its partner nutrients can help shield your eyes from blue light damage caused by screens, supports macular pigment density, and may even boost memory and stress resilience.
Carl explains why foods thought to provide lutein AND the zeaxanthins actually don’t, and some better diet options for these nutrients (which are hard to get from diet alone).
The episode also highlights Lutemax 2020, a science backed supplement ingredient that delivers all three essential carotenoids from a single marigold flower source — and why consistent intake may be your best strategy for long-term vision and brain support.
🛒 Shop TrueVision with Lutemax 2020 & Affron Eye: https://naturecity.com
Video Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction & Why This Episode Matters
1:15 – What Lutein Is & Why It’s Essential
3:22 – How Lutein Works in the Body (with Zeaxanthin + Meso-zeaxanthin)
4:10 – Protective Barriers in the Eye & Brain: Why Only 3 Carotenoids Get In
4:43 – How Much You Need Daily (and Why Food Falls Short)
6:12 – Surprising Food Sources (Cereals vs. Vegetables)
7:39 – Eggs, Corn, and the Meso-Zeaxanthin Dilemma
8:46 – Blue Light Protection and Eye Health Explained
10:41 – MPOD: What It Is and Why It Matters
11:25 – Brain Health, BDNF, and Memory Benefits
13:32 – Why We Recommend Lutemax 2020
14:46 – Study Highlights: Vision, Cognitive Function, and Stress
16:49 – Optimal Daily Dosage & Supplement Strategy
17:51 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Our Products
