Skip to main content
Supplement ScienceSupplementScience

Benefits of Lutein

Evidence:Strong
·

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Macular degeneration protection — the AREDS2 trial (n=4,203) demonstrated that lutein 10 mg + zeaxanthin 2 mg was a safe and effective replacement for beta-carotene in reducing advanced AMD risk by ~18% over 5 years
  • Blue light filtration — lutein absorbs 40-90% of incident blue light in the macula, reducing phototoxic damage to photoreceptors (Bernstein et al., 2016)
  • Contrast sensitivity — a 2017 meta-analysis of 20 RCTs found lutein supplementation significantly improved macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual contrast sensitivity
  • Cataract risk reduction — the Nurses Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found those in the highest quintile of lutein/zeaxanthin intake had an 18-22% lower risk of cataracts
  • Cognitive support — higher macular pigment density is correlated with better cognitive function in older adults, suggesting neuroprotective effects

What the Research Says

Lutein is a carotenoid with robust clinical support for its role in eye health. The AREDS2 trial (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group, 2013) demonstrated that lutein (10 mg) combined with zeaxanthin (2 mg) significantly reduced the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A subsequent 10-year follow-up confirmed this benefit, showing a 20% reduction in late AMD progression compared to beta-carotene.

Epidemiological studies consistently link higher lutein intake with lower risks of both AMD and cataracts. Ma et al. (2012) conducted a systematic review of six longitudinal cohort studies, finding that increased dietary lutein was associated with reduced AMD risk. Additionally, Wilson et al. (2021) reported that higher lutein/zeaxanthin intake (>5 mg/day) significantly enhances macular pigment optical density in adults with healthy eyes.

Beyond eye health, lutein has shown promise in other areas. Leermakers et al. (2016) found that higher lutein intake or blood concentration was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (RR: 0.88) and stroke (RR: 0.82). Furthermore, Choo et al. (2025) demonstrated that lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation in preterm infants may reduce the severity of retinopathy of prematurity stage 3+. However, Ghasemi et al. (2023) noted that while lutein and zeaxanthin do not significantly affect total cholesterol or LDL-C levels, they may still offer cardiometabolic benefits.

Overall, lutein's role in mitigating AMD progression, reducing cardiovascular risks, and supporting eye health is well-supported by clinical evidence.

Related Conditions

Eye Health
Ready to try Lutein?
See our independently tested and ranked picks
Full Lutein Guide

References

  1. RCTAge-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. DOI PubMed
  2. RCTChew EY, Clemons TE, Sangiovanni JP, et al. (2014). Secondary Analyses of the Effects of Lutein/Zeaxanthin on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression: AREDS2 Report No. 3. JAMA Ophthalmology. DOI PubMed
  3. Meta-analysisMa L, Dou HL, Wu YQ, et al. (2012). Lutein and zeaxanthin intake and the risk of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Nutrition. DOI PubMed
  4. Choo YM, Yip KX, Fiander M, Ahmad Kamar A, et al. (2025). Lutein and zeaxanthin for reducing morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. DOI PubMed
  5. Ghasemi F, Navab F, Rouhani MH, Amini P, et al. (2023). The effect of lutein and Zeaxanthine on dyslipidemia: A meta-analysis study.. Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators. DOI PubMed
  6. Cota F, Costa S, Giannantonio C, Purcaro V, et al. (2022). Lutein supplementation and retinopathy of prematurity: a meta-analysis.. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. DOI PubMed
  7. Li J, Abdel-Aal EM (2021). Dietary Lutein and Cognitive Function in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). DOI PubMed
Show 5 more references
  1. Meta-analysisWilson LM, Tharmarajah S, Jia Y, Semba RD, et al. (2021). The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). DOI PubMed
  2. Li N, Wu X, Zhuang W, Xia L, et al. (2021). Green leafy vegetable and lutein intake and multiple health outcomes.. Food chemistry. DOI PubMed
  3. Meta-analysisFeng L, Nie K, Jiang H, Fan W (2019). Effects of lutein supplementation in age-related macular degeneration.. PloS one. DOI PubMed
  4. Ranard KM, Jeon S, Mohn ES, Griffiths JC, et al. (2017). Dietary guidance for lutein: consideration for intake recommendations is scientifically supported.. European journal of nutrition. DOI PubMed
  5. Leermakers ET, Darweesh SK, Baena CP, Moreira EM, et al. (2016). The effects of lutein on cardiometabolic health across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. The American journal of clinical nutrition. DOI PubMed