Evidence Level
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.