5 Benefits of Lutein

1. Protects Against Eye Disorders Like Macular Degeneration
Lutein is considered a natural treatment for macular degeneration (AMD), which is considered the most common cause of blindness among older adults. Estimates show that more than 25 million people worldwide are affected by age-related macular degeneration or cataracts, especially people aged 55 and older living in industrialized Western nations. Sadly, the incidence of AMD is expected to triple by 2025 according to the American Optometric Association!
Lutein protects the eyes by filtering out a percentage of damaging short-wavelength UV light that negatively affects delicate parts of the eyes such as the retina (the macula). Researchers at Harvard University have found that supplementing with 6 milligrams daily of lutein can lower the risk for macular degeneration by an average of 43 percent.
Similarly, other studies show that higher dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin along with beneficial vitamin E is associated with a significantly decreased risk of cataract formation. While the research is still in its early stages, taking lutein three times weekly for up to two years has been shown to improve vision in older people who already have cataracts. Other benefits of lutein for eye health include helping to reduce eye fatigue, glare and light sensitivity, helping to keep the lens and retina at appropriate densities, strengthening eye tissue, and ­helping vision to be more acute.
When it comes to eye health, every person is different in terms of how much lutein is most beneficial. It’s possible that for some people, even with a relatively high intake of high-antioxidant foods, their blood levels might be high enough in nutrients like lutein, but testing tissues within their eyes will show that their retinal levels still remain too low.
Luckily, doctors now have the ability to measure macular pigment levels of lutein in someone’s eyes in order to determine if they are at an increased risk for disease. By performing a macular pigment optical density test (MPOD), doctors can better give specialized dietary recommendations for lutein and other protective nutrients based on individual responses, genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors.

2. Helps Protect Skin Health
In addition to being found within the pigments of our eyes, carotenoids including lutein and zeaxanthin are also present within the skin. To preserve skin health and fight skin cancer, lutein helps filter high-energy wavelengths of visible light, which slows down the rate of oxidative stress. Some animal studies show evidence that lutein offers significant protection against light-induced skin damage, such as signs of aging and potentially skin cancer.

3. Can Help Lower Diabetes Risk
According to some animal studies, higher levels of lutein and other carotenoids within the blood are linked with fewer problems controlling blood sugar and a lower risk for diabetes or related complications. A 2000 study conducted on diabetic rats found that supplementing with lutein and DHA (a crucial type of omega-3 fatty acid) helped normalize all diabetes-induced biochemical modifications.
Compared to the control of rats not taking lutein and DHA, diabetic rats taking the supplements experienced lower oxidative stress rates and less damage done to the retina of the eyes, despite being under hyperglycemic conditions.

4. Might Help Lower Risk of Cancer
Some evidence shows that people who obtain more lutein from their diet experience lower rates of breast, colon, cervical and lung cancers. While we don’t know exactly how lutein and cancer formation is tied just yet, correlational studies have shown that adults with higher levels of lutein in the blood experience a reduced risk of developing several forms of common cancers.
Lutein may act as a natural cancer treatment because of the fact that foods rich in lutein (like leafy greens and citrus fruits) also provide other beneficial antioxidants and nutrients that lower disease-causing inflammation and oxidative stress. However, at this time, more research is still needed to help us fully understand the effects of lutein and other carotenoids on cancer, immune, hormonal and cardiovascular health, independent of other nutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables.

5. Can Help Maintain Heart Health
Some observational studies show that xanthophyll carotenoids including lutein can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Just like with the previously mentioned studies that show potential cancer-protective effects of lutein, we aren’t exactly sure yet how lutein improves heart health. Because lutein has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it seems that it would benefit heart health by lowering inflammation, which is an underlying cause of coronary heart disease.
Studies done by the University of Southern California suggest that low levels of lutein within the blood might contribute to the thickening of artery walls. This raises the risk for arteriosclerosis development and clogging of the carotid arteries that can lead to heart attacks.