Lutein

• What other names is Lutein known by?
• What is Lutein?
• How does Lutein work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Dosing considerations for Lutein.

What other names is Lutein known by?

All-E-Lutein, All-E-Zeaxanthin, All-E-3'-dehydro-lutein, Beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol, Carotenoid, Caroténoïde, E-Lutein, Luteina, Lutéine, Lutéine Synthétique, Synthetic Lutein, Xanthophyll, Xanthophylle, Zeaxanthin, Zéaxanthine.

What is Lutein?

Lutein is called a carotenoid vitamin. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Foods rich in lutein include broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, orange juice, zucchini, and squash.

Likely Effective for...

• Preventing lutein deficiency.

Possibly Effective for...

• Macular degeneration. Consuming lutein as part of the diet might decrease the risk of getting macular degeneration. There is some information that taking lutein supplements might help decrease symptoms of macular degeneration, but more research is needed.
• Reducing the risk of developing eye cataracts, as part of the diet. It is not known if supplemental lutein offers the same benefit.

Possibly Ineffective for...

• Reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Retinitis pigmentosa and preventing colon cancer and breast cancer.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).