Web site: "Information
About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products"
URL: http://www.mskcc.org/aboutherbs
© 2003 Memorial Sloar-Kettering Cancer Center (Monograph)
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Full Text |
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Barrie Cassileth
and K. Simon Yeung
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Lutein
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| Clinical Summary |
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A
natural pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms. Leutein is used
primarily as an antioxidant and also to prevent and treat cancer, heart
disease, and macular degeneration. Lutein has antioxidant activity and is
classified as a nonprovitamin A carotenoid, which also includes lycopene
and zeaxanthin. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene,
and beta-cryptoxanthin are classified as provitamin A carotenoids because
they can be converted into retinol. Epidemiologic studies suggest an
inverse relationship between increased lutein consumption and decreased
incidence of atherosclerosis, macular degeneration, and possibly colon
cancer. No significant adverse effects or drug interactions have been
reported.
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| Also Known As |
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Xanthophyll,
dihyroxycarotenoid, nonprovitamin A carotenoid
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Food Sources
[2] |
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Kale,
spinach, winter squash, cruciferous vegetables, cabbage, green beans,
yellow/orange fruits, mangoes, papayas, peaches, oranges
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| Purported Uses |
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• Cancer
prevention
• Cataracts
• Macular
degeneration
• Visual
acuity
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| Mechanism Of Action [1], [2], [3], [6], [7] |
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Lutein
is a natural pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms. Lutein has
been associated with a decreased risk of macular degeneration and
cataracts. The physiologic function of lutein in the macular membranes is
not known at this time. Referred to as a nonprovitamin A carotenoid, it is
not known to have any vitamin A activity. Other possible actions for
carotenoids are antioxidant, immunoenhancement, inhibition of mutagenesis
and transformation, and inhibition of premalignant lesions. Lutein has
been associated with decreased risk of colon cancer and atherosclerosis.
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Pharmacokinetics
[1], [2], [3],
[8] |
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Absorption:
Intestinal absorption of carotenoids, including lutein, is facilitated by
the formation of bile acid micelles containing carotenoids. The presence
of fat in the small intestine stimulates the secretion of bile acids from
the gall bladder and improves the absorption of carotenoids by increasing
the size and stability of the micelles, thus allowing more carotenoids to
be solubilized. Bioavailability of lutein is affected by the dose and
presence of other carotenoids such as Beta carotene. The bioavailability
of lutein from vegetables is approximately 70%.
Distribution:
The concentrations of various carotenoids in human serum and tissues are
highly variable and depend on food sources, efficiency of absorption, and
amount of fat in the diet. Lutein is transported by high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) and, to a lesser extent, by very low-density
lipoprotein. The serum concentration of carotenoids after a single dose
peaks at 24 to 48 hours post dose. The average lutein concentration in
human serum is 280 nM. Lutein is primarily stored in adipose and the
liver. Of all the carotenoids circulating in the body, only two polar
species, lutein and zeaxanthin, are contained in the macula.
Metabolism/Excretion:
It is assumed that lutein is excreted through the bile and kidneys.
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Adverse Reactions
[1] |
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No
adverse effects have been reported at normal doses.
Toxicity: Carotenodermia is a harmless biological effect of
high carotenoid intake. Characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the
skin, it results from chronically elevated serum concentrations of
carotenes.
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Drug Interactions
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No
known drug interactions at this time.
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| Literature Summary And Critique |
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Dagnelie
G, Zorge IS, McDonald TM. Lutein improves visual function in some patients
with retinal degeneration: a pilot study via the internet. Optometry
2000;71:147-64.
A small prospective evaluation of Internet-recruited patients with either
retinal pigmentation (n = 13) or macular degeneration (n = 3) given 9
weeks of lutein 40 mg/day. Patients performed bi-weekly self-evaluation of
visual acuity and central visual-field extent. Although patients who
received supplementation with lutein did report improvements over those
who did not, randomized trials are necessary to validate findings.
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| References |
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[1] Dietary
Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids.
Washington (DC): National Academy Press; 2000.
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[2] Khachik
F, Beecher GR, Smith JC. Lutein, lycopene, and their oxidative metabolites
in chemoprevention of cancer. J Cell Biochem Suppl
1995;22:236-46.
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[3] van
het Hof KH, et al. Bioavailability
of lutein from vegetables is 5 times higher than that of beta-carotene. Am
J Clin Nutr
1999;70:261-8.
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[4] Elinder
LS, et al. Probucol treatment decreases serum concentrations of
diet-derived antioxidants. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
1995;15:1057-63.
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[5]
Sujak
A, Okulski W, Gruszecki WI. Organisation of xanthophyll pigments lutein
and zeaxanthin in lipid membranes formed with
dipalmitoylphosphatiylcholine. Biochim Biophys Acta
2000;1509:255-63.
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[6]
Dwyer
JH, et al. Oxygenated
carotenoid lutein and progression of early atherosclerosis: the Los
Angeles atherosclerosis study. Circulation 2001;103:2922-7.
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[7]
Slattery
ML, et al. Carotenoids and colon cancer. Am J Clin Nutr
2000;71:575-82.
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[8]
Olmedilla
B, et al. A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with
alpha-tocopherol, carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene; analysis of
serum responses. Clin Sci (Lond) 2002;102:447-56.
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| Written |
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11/01/2001 |
| Updated |
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09/30/2002
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Source:
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