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Lutein is a type of organic pigment called a carotenoid. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Many people think of lutein as "the eye vitamin."
Lutein is one of two major carotenoids found in the human eye (macula and retina). It is thought to function as a light filter, protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage. Foods rich in lutein include egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, zucchini, and squash.
Lutein is commonly taken by mouth to prevent eye diseases, including cataracts and a disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Lutein is used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). When used alone or in combination with other ingredients, oral lutein seems to improve some aspects of vision in patient with AMD. However, it does not seem to slow the progression of AMD.
Login for details - Cataracts. Increased dietary lutein seems to reduce the odds of developing cataracts. It is unclear if oral lutein supplementation is beneficial in those who already have cataracts.
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- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Oral lutein does not seem to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm and low birth weight infants.
Login for details - Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Oral lutein does not seem to prevent NEC in preterm and low birth weight infants.
Login for details - Retinitis pigmentosa. Oral lutein does not seem to improve vision or slow down retinal degeneration in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Retinopathy of prematurity. Oral lutein does not seem to prevent retinopathy of prematurity in preterm and low birth weight infants.
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- Age-related cognitive decline. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for attenuating cognitive decline in older adults.
Login for details - Alzheimer disease. Oral lutein has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for ALS prevention.
Login for details - Asthenopia (eye strain). It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for eye strain.
Login for details - Asthma. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for asthma prevention.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Eating more lutein in the diet seems to reduce the risk of CVD. However, taking oral lutein supplements does not seem to prevent CVD events or mortality.
Login for details - Central serous retinopathy. Oral lutein has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Cervical cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for cervical cancer prevention.
Login for details - Child development. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for child development.
Login for details - Choroideremia. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for improving vision.
Login for details - Cognitive function. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for improving cognitive function.
Login for details - Colorectal cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for colorectal cancer prevention.
Login for details - Diabetes. Observational research suggests that oral lutein may not be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes or diabetic complications.
Login for details - Diabetic retinopathy. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial in diabetic retinopathy.
Login for details - Esophageal cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for esophageal cancer prevention.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle soreness. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial in relieving muscle soreness due to exercise.
Login for details - Fractures. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for fracture prevention.
Login for details - Gastric cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for gastric cancer prevention.
Login for details - Glaucoma. Oral lutein has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Hyperlipidemia. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for hyperlipidemia.
Login for details - Lung cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for lung cancer prevention.
Login for details - Macular telangiectasia type 2. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for macular telangiectasia type 2.
Login for details - Metabolic syndrome. Oral lutein has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma prevention.
Login for details - Obesity. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for obesity.
Login for details - Pancreatic cancer. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for pancreatic cancer prevention.
Login for details - Parkinson disease. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for Parkinson disease prevention.
Login for details - Pre-eclampsia. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for pre-eclampsia prevention.
Login for details - Respiratory tract infections. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial in respiratory tract infection prevention or treatment.
Login for details - Ulcerative colitis. It is unclear if oral lutein is beneficial for ulcerative colitis.
Login for details - Visual development. It is unclear if taking oral lutein during pregnancy can improve the visual acuity of the child.
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When taken by mouth: Lutein is likely safe when taken by mouth. Consuming up to 20 mg of lutein daily as part of the diet or as a supplement appears to be safe.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Lutein is likely safe when used in the amounts found in food.Children: Lutein is likely safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. A specific product (LUTEINofta, SOOFT Italia SpA) containing lutein 0.14 mg daily has been safely used in infants for 36 weeks.
It is not known if Lutein interacts with any medicines. Before taking Lutein, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Beta-carotene: Using beta-carotene along with lutein may reduce the amount of lutein or beta-carotene that the body can absorb.
Vitamin E: Taking lutein supplements might decrease how much vitamin E the body absorbs. Taking lutein and vitamin E together might decrease the effects of vitamin E.
Lutein is better absorbed by the body when it is taken with a high-fat meal.
Lutein is found in many foods, including egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, zucchini, and squash. There's 44 mg of lutein in one cup of cooked kale, 26 mg per cup of cooked spinach, and 3 mg per cup of broccoli.
Lutein is also taken in supplements. It's most often been used by adults in doses of 10-20 mg by mouth daily, for up to 3 years. Many multivitamins contain lutein. They usually provide a relatively small amount, such as 0.25 mg per tablet. Lutein is absorbed best when it's taken with a high-fat meal. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product or dose might be best for a specific condition.
All-E-Lutein, Beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol, E-Lutein, Luteina, Lutéine, Lutéine Synthétique, Synthetic Lutein.
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