The Effect of Lutein on Eye and Extra-Eye Health

Abstract

Lutein is a carotenoid with reported anti-inflammatory properties. A large body of evidence shows that lutein has several beneficial effects, especially on eye health. In particular, lutein is known to improve or even prevent age-related macular disease which is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment. Furthermore, many studies have reported that lutein may also have positive effects in different clinical conditions, thus ameliorating cognitive function, decreasing the risk of cancer, and improving measures of cardiovascular health. At present, the available data have been obtained from both observational studies investigating lutein intake with food, and a few intervention trials assessing the efficacy of lutein supplementation. In general, sustained lutein consumption, either through diet or supplementation, may contribute to reducing the burden of several chronic diseases. However, there are also conflicting data concerning lutein efficacy in inducing favorable effects on human health and there are no univocal data concerning the most appropriate dosage for daily lutein supplementation. Therefore, based on the most recent findings, this review will focus on lutein properties, dietary sources, usual intake, efficacy in human health, and toxicity.

The ocular protective effects of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with lutein, in fat diet Wistar rats, treated with sistemic glucocorticoids

“…Lutein is a beta-carotene which accumulates preferentially in the macula lutea. It defenses oxidative damage from ultraviolet light and it is known as a protective factor in age macular degeneration [5]. But, lutein, also delays the cataract onset and progression.…”

“…From the liver to the peripheral tissues, such as the retina, lutein is loaded in chylomicrons structure. Lutein absorption can be affected by protein, Fe and Zn deficiency [5].…”

Differential Physiological Responses Elicited by Ancient and Heritage Wheat Cultivars Compared to Modern Ones

“…The high content of lutein in einkorn could be significant for health in populations that consume it regularly, since it is characterized by anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, particularly exercised on the retina and on visual function [37]. Furthermore, ancient grains, on average, seem to contain greater amounts of selenium.…”

Predictors of macular pigment and contrast threshold in normolipemic subjects aged 45-65

“…Of the many carotenoids present in the diet and transported in the bloodstream to tissues by lipoproteins, only these are captured by the retina where they act as blue light filters, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents [1], and enhance gap junctional communication [2], which, in the retina, is important for light processing [3]. An adequate nutritional status (lutein and zeaxanthin serum concentrations and macular pigment optical density [MPOD]) is associated with a lower risk of several age-related diseases, particularly agerelated eye diseases [4][5][6].…”

“…Lutein and zeaxanthin are among the food components that have proven to be effective in lowering the risk and /or progression of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), a major cause of blindness in the elderly population [7]. There has recently been an increase in research looking into the potential of lutein in slowing down age-related decline and how to recover damaged cognitive functions [5]. Up to 10 mg lutein/day has been recommended for people at risk or in the intermediates stages of age-related macular disease [8], equivalent to approx.…”