Introduction
Lutein is a compound found in green vegetables, yellow vegetables, and egg yolks. It has been used as an antioxidant to slow damage to cells. Lutein has also been used to improve vision and eye health. It can be taken as a pill or powder.
Dosages
6 milligrams 1 to 2 times daily
What Research Shows
May Be Effective
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—may help prevent or delay onset A1
- Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy—may reduce fluid height E1, E2
- Macular degeneration F1-F5
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma —may lower the risk G1
- Retinitis Pigmentosa —may slow loss of vision I1, I2
Not Enough Data to Assess
- Cardiometabolic health B1
- Cardiovascular disease C1
- Respiratory health H1
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to take lutein in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
REFA Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
REFA1 Fitzgerald KC, O'Reilly ÉJ, et al. Intakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies. Ann Neurol. 2013 Feb;73(2):236-245.
REFB Cardiometabolic Health
REFB1 Leermakers ET, Darweesh SK, et al. The effects of lutein on cardiometabolic health across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Feb;103(2):481-494.
REFC Cardiovascular Disease
REFC1 Rees K, Dyakova M, et al. Dietary advice for reducing cardiovascular risk. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(12):CD002128.
REFD Cataract
REFD1 Ma L, Hao ZX, et al. A dose-response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2014 Jan;252(1):63-70.
REFE Chronic Central Chorioretinopathy
REFE1 Salehi M, Wenick AS, et al. Interventions for central serous chorioretinopathy: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Dec 22;(12):CD011841.
REFE2 Shinojima A, Sawa M, et al. A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study of Antioxidant Supplementation with Lutein for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy. Ophthalmologica. 2017;237(3):159-166.
REFF Macular Degeneration
REFF1 Ma L, Dou HL, et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin intake and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Nutr. 2012 Feb;107(3):350-359.
REFF2 Wang X, Jiang C, et al. Role of lutein supplementation in the management of age-related macular degeneration: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ophthalmic Res. 2014;52(4):198-205.
REFF3 Liu R, Wang T, et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation and association with visual function in age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Dec 16;56(1):252-258.
REFF4 Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7:CD000253.
REFF5 Evans JR, Lawreson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7:CD000254.
REFG Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
REFG1 Chen F, Hu J, et al. Carotenoid intake and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Ann Hematol. 2017 Jun;96(6):957-965.
REFH Respiratory Health
REFH1 Melo van Lent D, Leermakers ETM, et al. The effects of lutein on respiratory health across the life course: A systematic review. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2016 Jun;13:e1-e7.
REFI Retinitis Pigmentosa
REFI1 Berson EL, Rosner B, et al. Clinical trial of lutein in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A. Arch Ophthalmol. 2010;128(4):403-411.
REFI2 Brito-García N, Del Pino-Sedeño T, et al. Effectiveness and safety of nutritional supplements in the treatment of hereditary retinal dystrophies: a systematic review. Eye (Lond). 2017 Feb;31(2):273-285.