Summer 2001 Issue — What is Lutein?

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Lutein is the predominant carotenoid found in green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale and broccoli. Although these contain the highest levels of lutein, it is also present in foods such as kiwis, oranges, and corn and egg yolk. Our bodies absorb lutein from the food that we eat and specifically deposit lutein in parts of the body susceptible to oxidation such as the eye, skin, cervix and breast. The body does not manufacture lutein but obtains it through consumption of food and dietary supplements. Human and animal studies show that the concentration of lutein in the blood is strongly influenced by dietary intake of this nutrient.

Most people do not eat enough healthy foods to get the amount of lutein they need each day. Those making up the difference with a food supplement should be sure the formula contains purified lutein, not lutein esters. Purified lutein is the same form of lutein found in vegetables, and FloraFLO® Lutein is the only purified lutein available for supplementation. Unlike lutein, lutein esters are not absorbed by the body, thus not providing the same health benefits.

How Does Lutein Work?

Carotenoids are naturally occurring molecules that function as biological antioxidants, that is, substances that protect the human body from damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidants may help slow down ageing by controlling ROS and delaying the on-set of many age-related diseases.

Carotenoids are very potent antioxidants, and lutein, due to its antioxidant properties, is believed to protect the human tissues where it deposits from free radical damage caused by light and oxygen.

Lutein's Health Benefits

Lutein has a variety of health benefits and the science to prove it. Lutein has been found in the eye (deposited in the macula region of the eye as well as in the entire retina and lens), skin, cervix and breast.

Research suggests that lutein plays an important role in reducing the risk of age-related eyesight problems, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts, and recently researchers have investigated lutein's link to risk reduction of colon, lung and breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and skin damage from ROS, with some promising results.

Lutein and Visual Health

In 1995, researchers at the USDA provided evidence that lutein acts as an antioxidant in the body. They were able to isolate oxidative metabolites of lutein from human serum. In 1997, they found similar oxidative metabolites of lutein in the retina of eye. The metabolites found were gathered in an area of the retina known as macula, the part that controls central vision. And filters harmful light. The center portion of the macula was found to contain the highest concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Evidence points to the benefits of lutein intake in the prevention of AMD. AMD is the major cause of vision loss in adults over 50 years old, and accounts for cases than cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy together. It is estimated that 13 million people in the U.S. and around 6.5 million people in Europe have the disease. There is a vast series of published papers showing the importance of lutein in AMD prevention. Back in 1992, it was found for the first time an association between consumption of carotenoids, the level of carotenoids in serum and a lower incidence of AMD. In a later study, researchers have analyzed specific carotenoids that were associated with a reduced risk of AMD, and they found for the first time that the level of lutein in the serum was highly significantly correlated with a reduced risk of AMD.

In 1994, a Harvard University study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, further defined the role of lutein to lower the risk of AMD. It was found that consumption of 6mg per day of lutein lead to a 43% lower risk for AMD compared to those individuals who did not consume this level of lutein. They also found that there was no positive correlation between other consumption of carotenoids and a lower risk of AMD. The mechanism by which lutein helps the eye is believed to be by increasing the macular pigment density, which may act as a filter. Lutein absorbs blue light, which is damaging to retinal membranes.

Lutein's link to cataracts is more recent but well documented. The formation of cataracts is a disease affecting the crystalline structure of the lens. There is evidence showing the importance of lutein in reducing cataract formation.

Two studies conducted at Harvard Medical School and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women with the highest intake of lutein had a 22% reduced risk of cataracts; whereas men had a 19% reduced risk. It is concluded that dietary changes, including consumption of lutein, may have a significant impact on risk reduction.

The effects of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Lutein and General Health

Research suggests that Lutein consumption may also protect parts of the body other than the eye. The health of the skin, lungs and heart are all thought to benefit from its use. It has been found that a high concentration of carotenoids, including lutein, is present in the human skin, and ongoing research suggests that the presence of lutein in the skin may offer protection from sun damage and ageing. Further evidence from a 1998 paper in the Journal of Dermatology indicates that lutein may be effective in protecting skin cells from UVA damage. It is expected that the same properties that allow lutein to reduce oxidation of the lens and retina could neutralize cancer-causing free radicals. There is ongoing research to further explore the role of lutein as an antioxidant in the skin.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women of all ages. While doctors have long been aware of the effects of a healthy diet on breast cancer risk, we are just beginning to understand the link of specific nutrients such as lutein. A 1999 Harvard study published in cancer epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention examined association between carotenoids, consumption of fruits and vegetables and breast cancer risk. That researchers concluded that consumption of fruits and vegetables, lutein may reduce the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women. In an earlier study, conducted at the University of Illinois, lutein and zeaxanthin were found to significantly suppress cell divination in breast cancer cells.

Colon Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the western world. However, experts say that the disease fatality can be greatly reduced with early screening and with behavioral and dietary modifications. A study published last year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition links lutein to a 17% reduction in risk of developing colon cancer. The study found that with men and women with the highest intake of lutein-rich foods had the lowest incidence of colon cancer. Because the disease is so prevalent, everyone, not just those in high-risk groups, should make dietary modifications now rather than later. A lifetime of poor nutritional habits can significantly affect those without a family history of colon cancer.

Incidence of lung cancer rates in Fijian Islands were found to be significantly lower than those of other South pacific Islands, despite similar smoking habits. Researchers have actually suggested that lutein may have been responsible for the disparity as the Fijian's consumption of lutein was 18-23mg per day. On Tahiti, lutein consumption was 3.9mg per day.

Finally, evidence from a 1996 study suggests that one of the reasons the French have a low risk of heart disease is that they consume foods high in lutein content, like spinach and collard greens. The authors consider the hypothesis that HDL acts as an antioxidant for LDL, and they speculate that one of the active antioxidant components of HDL might be lutein. It is also possible that lutein may protect LDL directly from oxidation, due to its presence in the lipoprotein particles.

Lutein Daily Intake

Nutritionists recommend 6 milligrams per day as a good guideline. The average consumption of lutein in the United States and Europe is around 2mg per day, which is substantially lower than the recommended daily dose.

The food industry responded quickly to news of lutein's health benefits, and products containing lutein are currently available on the market. From multi-vitamin formulas to eye formulas, lutein has become a prominent presence at health food stores. Lutein can also be used in the functional foods industry, namely in the fortification of fruit juices and daily beverages, cereals, biscuits, sauces and soups.

In Conclusion

Lutein consumption from diet is being recognized as increasingly important:

• Lutein is the most prevalent carotenoid in green-leafy vegetables
• Lutein has been shown to have an effective antioxidant effect on the body, which research suggests may have some bearing on the maintenance of good health.
• Lutein is specifically deposited by humans in two different regions of the eye: the macular region of the retina and the lens of the eye.
• Clinical and Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of diets rich in lutein lead to a significant reduced risk of AMD and of cataract formation.
• Research has shown that lutein is well absorbed and retained in the macula.
• Macular pigment density can be increased by lutein supplementation.
• Toxicological studies have confirmed that lutein is safe.

Research continues to support lutein as a crucial health ingredient and lutein is surely accepted as an important tool for maintaining health.

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