Lutein: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Zeaxanthin
Scientific name(s)
Beta, epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol.
Family or group:
Phytosubstances
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Cataract ✪✪✪✪✪
Some population research has shown that higher blood levels and/or greater dietary intake of lutein are associated with a 25% reduction in the risk of developing age-related cataract. Epidemiological studies have also shown that people who consume higher amounts of lutein in their diet have a reduced risk of developing severe cataracts requiring surgery. nnClinical research shows that oral intake of 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin per day for an average of 4.7 years reduces the risk of requiring surgery by 32% in patients whose dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake is low.nnSome data also indicate that lutein supplementation may be beneficial for patients who already have a cataract.nn
Posologie
By mouth
10 mg
4 - years
Seniors
A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men.
A dose-response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract.
Association of Blood Antioxidants and Vitamins With Risk of Age-Related Cataract: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Lutein, but Not Alpha-Tocopherol, Supplementation Improves Visual Function in Patients With Age-Related Cataracts: A 2-y Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study
A prospective study of carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and risk of cataract extraction in US women.
AMD ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that people who consume higher amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet have a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clinical research shows that taking a lutein supplement of 10–20 mg per day for periods up to 36 months modestly improves certain aspects of vision, such as macular pigment optical density, the eyes' ability to adapt to varying lighting conditions, near visual acuity, and the ability to see under low-contrast conditions (contrast sensitivity), in patients with AMD. Another meta-analysis shows that taking a carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, or meso-zeaxanthin) improves macular pigment optical density compared with placebo in patients with or without AMD. Treatment duration longer than 1 year, doses greater than 10 mg, and treatment combining the three carotenoids are associated with greater improvement in macular pigment optical density. More recently, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that macular pigment optical density and visual acuity were significantly improved in patients with non-exudative AMD after taking a combination of lutein (10–20 mg), zeaxanthin (1–2 mg), omega-3 fatty acids (100–200 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and 30–60 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) and antioxidants for a 12-month period.
Posologie
Oral administration
10 - 20 mg
36 - months
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intake and the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation and Association With Visual Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Lutein Supplementation Over a One-Year Period in Early AMD Might Have a Mild Beneficial Effect on Visual Acuity: The CLEAR Study
Improvement of Retinal Function in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration After Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Role of Lutein Supplementation in the Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Effects of Lutein and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Zeaxanthin and Visual Function in Patients With Atrophic Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973
Effect of Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Macular Pigment and Visual Function in Patients With Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated With Macular Pigment Optical Density
Supplementation With All Three Macular Carotenoids: Response, Stability, and Safety
Eye health ✪✪✪✪✪
Foods containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are more beneficial for eye health than other carotenoids and antioxidants such as vitamin A, lycopene, alpha- or beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Indeed, the yellow color of lutein and zeaxanthin is due to their ability to absorb blue light. They therefore act as "sunglasses" that serve as a filter for blue light, thereby reducing chromatic aberration and helping to prevent photoreceptor damage. Furthermore, epidemiological research has shown that people who consume higher amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet have a reduced risk of developing AMD (age-related macular degeneration).
Posologie
Oral administration
6 - 20 mg
Macular Pigment Optical Density and Its Relationship With Serum and Dietary Levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Biological Role of Lutein in the Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration
Biologic Mechanisms of the Protective Role of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Eye
Skin health ✪✪✪✪✪
Lutein and zeaxanthin appear to protect against damage caused by UV radiation through antioxidant effects. According to animal studies, lutein reduces the risk of sunburn as well as UV-induced immune suppression, reduces reactive oxygen species, and directly protects against photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. There is evidence suggesting that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may improve overall skin health while simultaneously helping to minimize signs of premature aging.
Posologie
Oral administration
6 - 10 mg
Vitamin and Carotenoid Intake and Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Dietary Lutein/Zeaxanthin Partially Reduces Photoaging and Photocarcinogenesis in Chronically UVB-irradiated Skh-1 Hairless Mice
Serum Carotenoids and Alpha-Tocopherol and Risk of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma ✪✪✪✪✪
An analysis of population observational research shows that increased dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with an 18% reduced risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma compared with low dietary intake. However, no dose-response relationship has been reported. It is unknown whether additional lutein has an effect on the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To reduce the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a high lutein intake, up to 20 mg per day, has been suggested, through diet or supplementation.
Posologie
By mouth
20 mg
Cognitive decline ✪✪✪✪✪
Some preliminary clinical research shows that taking lutein at 12 mg alone or with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at 800 mg per day for 4 months may improve verbal fluency and memory scores in older women. However, it is not known whether these effects are due to the lutein, the DHA, or the combination of the two.
Posologie
By mouth
12 mg
4 - months
Breast cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that a high serum level of lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. Indeed, a high intake of lutein (>7 mg/day) has been associated with a 53% reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer.
Posologie
Oral
7 mg
Lung cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Epidemiological research has shown that low serum levels of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. However, other epidemiological studies have shown that a higher serum level or a greater dietary intake of lutein is not associated with a reduced risk of developing lung cancer. These findings contrast with those of a case-control study of 108 lung cancer cases, which found that higher levels of serum carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, were significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer among alcohol drinkers, while possibly having a protective effect among non-drinkers.
Posologie
Oral
6 - 10 mg
Lung Cancer Mortality and Serum Levels of Carotenoids, Retinol, Tocopherols, and Folic Acid in Men and Women: A Case-Control Study Nested in the JACC Study
Serum Carotenoids and Mortality From Lung Cancer: A Case-Control Study Nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study
The Association Between Lung and Prostate Cancer Risk, and Serum Micronutrients: Results and Lessons Learned From Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial
Cervical cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
A study suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin are likely to have a protective effect against cervical cancer and possibly against the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) (a DNA virus that can be a precursor to anogenital cancers including cervical cancer). However, other epidemiological research has shown that low dietary lutein intake does not increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. On the other hand, another epidemiological study found that an intake greater than 7.3 mg/day of lutein was associated with a 70% reduction in the risk of endometrial cancer.
Posologie
Oral administration
6 - 10 mg
Colorectal cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
Some epidemiological studies have shown a reduced risk of developing colon cancer among people consuming large amounts of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin. However, other epidemiological research has shown that higher dietary lutein intake is not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in male smokers. It is unknown whether lutein supplementation has any effect on the risk of colorectal cancer.
Posologie
Oral administration
6 - 10 mg
Oxidative stress ✪✪✪✪✪
According to animal studies, lutein would protect against lesions associated with oxidative stress in rat intestinal tissues following ischemia-reperfusion. In addition, in a clinical study conducted on rats, lutein supplementation activated the expression of Nrf2-induced antioxidant genes (HO-1, NQO1), and protected OVX rats against inflammatory responses. According to a clinical study on rats, lutein treatment significantly reduces oxidative stress by decreasing reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulfhydryls, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant status were significantly reduced compared to sham rats.
Posologie
Oral administration
Properties
Vision
Foods containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are more beneficial for eye health than other carotenoids and antioxidants such as vitamin A, lycopene, alpha- or beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Indeed, the yellow color of lutein and zeaxanthin is due to their ability to absorb blue light. They therefore act as "sunglasses" that serve as a filter for blue light, thereby reducing chromatic aberration and helping to prevent damage to photoreceptors. Furthermore, it is generally accepted that macular pigment density decreases with age, although results are contradictory. In addition, epidemiological evidence has associated a high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin with increased optical density of macular pigments and a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Usages associés
Essential
Zeaxanthin and lutein can be considered conditionally essential nutrients because low serum levels or low dietary intakes are associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Epidemiological studies have also shown an association between low serum levels of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, and all-cause mortality, the risk of inflammatory polyarthritis, prostate cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, persistence of human papillomavirus, type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism, chronic cholestatic liver diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Some clinical research conducted in healthy adults and postmenopausal women suggests that dietary or supplemental lutein reduces DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes caused by oxidative damage. In addition, in vitro studies on human lens epithelial cells indicate that lutein protects the lens from ultraviolet radiation through antioxidant activity. According to animal studies, lutein increases glutathione levels and reduces retinal apoptosis following ischemia-reperfusion. Lutein also significantly protected against oxidative stress-associated damage in rat intestinal tissues following ischemia-reperfusion. In addition, in a study conducted in rats, lutein supplementation activated the expression of Nrf2-induced antioxidant genes (HO-1, NQO1) and protected OVX rats against inflammatory responses. According to a study conducted in rats, treatment with lutein significantly decreases oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulfhydryls, and lipid peroxidation. In addition, Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant status significantly decreased compared with sham rats. Skeletal IR injuries increased inflammatory signaling by upregulating NF-κB, COX-2 and various pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expressions of NF-κB and COX-2 were downregulated by lutein treatment.
Usages associés
Dermatologic effect
Lutein and zeaxanthin appear to protect against UV-induced damage through antioxidant effects. According to animal studies, lutein reduces the risk of sunburn, as well as UV-induced immune suppression, reduces reactive oxygen species, and directly protects against photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. The protective effect of lutein and zeaxanthin against skin cancer is uncertain. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may improve overall skin health while simultaneously helping to minimize signs of premature aging. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined surface lipids, hydration status, photoprotective activity, elasticity, and skin lipid peroxidation and found that oral and/or topical administration of lutein or zeaxanthin provides antioxidant protection. This protection is greater with combined administration of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
It was observed that lutein supplementation (20 mg per day) in patients with early atherosclerosis significantly reduced serum cytokines (interleukin-6) and monocytes after 3 months of supplementation compared with placebo. In addition, in a preclinical study conducted in rats, lutein supplementation activated the expression of Nrf2-induced antioxidant genes (HO-1, NQO1) and protected OVX rats against inflammatory responses. According to a preclinical study in rats, lutein treatment significantly decreases oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species, protein carbonylation and sulfhydryls, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, Nrf-2 levels and antioxidant status were significantly reduced compared with sham rats. Skeletal IR injuries increased inflammatory signaling by upregulating NF-κB, COX-2 and various proinflammatory cytokines. NF-κB and COX-2 expressions were downregulated by lutein treatment.
Anticancer
The level of lutein in breast adipose tissue appears to be affected by diet, which could help explain the lower incidence of certain cancers with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Epidemiological evidence shows that a high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin has been associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, notably endometrial and ovarian cancer, but not all cancers.
Usages associés
Immunomodulatory
According to animal studies, lutein modulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. In people with low serum lutein levels, elevated levels of C-reactive protein and white blood cells have been identified. nnIn a case-control study, serum lutein and zeaxanthin,nnas well as other carotenoids, were lower in children with an acute-phase infection compared with healthy controls. nn
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 6 mg - 20 mg
Recommended carotenoid doses are on the order of 6 to 10 mg per day and should never exceed 20 mg per day.
Adolescents 16 years and older:
Recommended carotenoid doses are on the order of 6 to 10 mg per day and should never exceed 20 mg per day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Orlistat: moderate interaction
Theoretically, long-term use of orlistat leads to a reduction in plasma lutein levels due to decreased gastric absorption.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Lutein: moderate interaction
Long-term use of olestra (a fat substitute) can decrease serum levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Pregnant women should refrain from taking carotenoids and rely only on those provided by food.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Breastfeeding women should refrain from taking carotenoids and rely only on those provided by food.
Children up to 15 years: avoid
Its use is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and for children under 15 years of age.
Contraindications
Cancer: contraindicated
Prohibited (beyond amounts present in the diet) for anyone with cancer, to avoid reducing the effectiveness of treatments (per the general recommendation: do not take antioxidants if you have cancer).
