Ingredient Information Sheet: Lutein
What is Lutein?
Lutein is one of the carotenoids (there are about 600 of them). It is one of the three carotenoid pigments that are found in very high concentration in the macula, the central area of the retina (along with zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin). Lutein (C40H56O2) is not synthesized by the human body, and must therefore be obtained through diet.
What foods contain lutein?
Foods with the highest lutein content include:
- Kale (18-39 mg / 100g)
- Dandelion leaves (13 mg / 100g)
- Spinach (11-13 mg/100g)
- Swiss chard (11 mg / 100g)
- Turnips (8 mg / 100g)
- Courgette (2 mg / 100g)
What are the biological properties of lutein?
Lutein acts as an antioxidant and helps neutralize the effect of free radicals around the macula, thus reducing the oxidative stress experienced by retinal cells.
Lutein has demonstrated protective properties against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts . It also has a protective effect against damage caused by exposure to blue light and UV radiation , thus protecting the retina.
The recommended daily intake of Lutein is approximately 10mg.
And what about Phytocea?
At Phytocea , for its protective effects on pathologies such as AMD, we have chosen to incorporate lutein into the ORetine formula.
ORetine is a nutraceutical food supplement specifically for vision, intended among other things to help maintain normal vision and to help prevent pathologies such as AMD or cataracts.
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What are the contraindications and side effects of lutein?
Carotenoid supplements are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for children. It is therefore advisable to consult your doctor before use.
Carotenoids should not be consumed in excess.
Excessive consumption is likely to cause a yellow/orange discoloration of the skin.
In the search
Several large-scale epidemiological studies have established a link between a high dietary intake of lutein and a reduced risk of cataracts, estimated at 18% by an American study of 39,556 women over 10 years.
Lutein helps slow the progression of macular degeneration by increasing visual performance after the onset of symptoms (contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, recovery after glare, macular pigment density).
Lutein (a carotenoid) is an essential component of the eye and plays a role in protecting against AMD.
(1) Moeller SM, Voland R, Tinker L, Blodi BA, Klein ML, Gehrs KM, Johnson EJ, Snodderly DM, Wallace RB, Chappell RJ, Parekh N, Ritenbaugh C, Mares JA; CAREDS Study Group; Women's Helath Initiative. Associations between age-related nuclear cataract and lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and serum in the Carotenoids in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an Ancillary Study of the Women's Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar;126(3):354-64. doi: 10.1001/archopht.126.3.354. PMID: 18332316; PMCID: PMC2562026.
(2) Richer S, Stiles W, Statkute L, Pulido J, Frankowski J, Rudy D, Pei K, Tsipursky M, Nyland J. Double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lutein and antioxidant supplementation in the intervention of atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial). Optometry. 2004 Apr;75(4):216-30. doi: 10.1016/s1529-1839(04)70049-4.
(3) Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013 May 15;309(19):2005-15. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.4997.
