What is lutein?
Lutein is an important antioxidant found mainly in plants, vegetables and fruits.
This substance belongs to the carotenoid group (a group of natural pigments) and occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables (such as broccoli, bell peppers, kiwi, and grapes). Egg yolks are also a source of lutein.
Lutein supplements
For supplements, lutein is mainly extracted from marigold (Calendula officinalis).
This plant is mainly known as a raw material for calendula ointment, but it also contains a wealth of other valuable substances:
- Marigold extract consists of approximately 20% lutein and also contains a small amount of zeaxanthin (approximately 1%), two substances that are very similar.
- In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, marigold extract also contains other substances, such as saponins, flavonoids and triterpenes.
These substances together enhance the effect of the marigold extract and make it widely applicable in health supplements.
Zeaxanthin and lutein
Both substances look very similar, but their atoms are arranged slightly differently.
You will often find lutein and zeaxanthin together in supplements. This is because they reinforce each other in their work.
1. Yellow pigment, green vegetables
They also often occur together in nature. In many vegetables, fruits, and flowers, they are responsible for the yellow, orange, and red colors.
Are you also immediately thinking of carrots and yellow bell peppers? It's a bit different.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are mainly found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale. This is because these substances combine well with chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants.
So even though lutein and zeaxanthin are yellow pigments, they are actually found in vegetables that are green in color, rather than the yellow or orange vegetables you might expect.
2. Antioxidants
Lutein and zeaxanthin act as Antioxidants. They help protect the body against free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cells, proteins, fats, and DNA.
Because lutein and zeaxanthin complement each other, they enhance each other's effects and together they can help combat free radicals even more effectively.
They also contribute to the restoration of glutathione. Glutathione is another powerful antioxidant in your body that is important for protecting cells from damage.
3. Eye health
Lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in your eyes. They are the main carotenoids in the human lens. They help protect your eyes from light damage, especially in the macula, the central part of your retina.
Research has shown that taking 20 mg of lutein daily for at least 6 months can help support eye health, especially in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that often occurs later in life. (1) (2)
Multivitamin with lutein and zeaxanthin
Multi Premium is a high-quality multivitamin that contains the most absorbable forms of important vitamins and minerals.
Combined with antioxidants from Tagetes Erecta extract, Multi Premium provides a plant-based source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect your eyes and brain.*
Sources used
- Liu, Y., Ni, M., Wu, R., Yang, Z., Zhu, X., & Chen, J. (2022). The level and efficacy of lutein in patients with age-related macular degeneration: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals Of Translational Medicine , 10 (6), 299. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-22-173
- Wilson, L.M., Tharmarajah, S., Jia, Y., Semba, R.D., Schaumberg, D.A., & Robinson, K.A. (2021). The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Nutrition , 12 (6), 2244–2254. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab071
