Recommended level for eye health: 10 mg/day for lutein and 2 mg/day for zeaxanthin. Safe upper limit: Researchers have not set an upper limit for either. Potential risks: In excess, they may turn your skin slightly yellow. Research seems to show that up to 20 mg of lutein daily is safe.

Can you have too much lutein?

There are no known toxic side effects of taking too much lutein or zeaxanthin. In some cases, people who eat large amounts of carrots or yellow and green citrus fruits can develop a harmless yellowing of the skin called carotenemia.

Are there side effects to taking lutein?

There are no known side effects of lutein.

Is lutein bad for kidneys?

The results of the study show that lutein effectively protected the kidneys of mice treated with cisplatin; these results are also supported by the histopathologies of the kidney tissues of treated mice.

Can lutein improve vision?

Due to its powerful antioxidant properties, lutein may help reduce inflammation in your eyes, fight off free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and boost the sharpness of your vision.

Does lutein raise blood pressure?

Discussion: In healthy participants, oral administration of a lutein phytochemicals complex for three weeks produced increased ocular blood flow biomarkers within retinal vascular beds and reduced diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.

Is lutein bad for your heart?

Lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids (antioxidants) found in fruits, vegetables and many eye health supplements, may be linked to an increased risk of heart attack, according to a study in Julys Journal of Nutrition.

Will lutein raise blood pressure?

Some research suggests that high blood levels of lutein are linked with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is not clear if taking lutein supplements lowers the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Does lutein increase blood pressure?

Is lutein bad for the heart?

How much lutein is safe to take daily?

Consuming 6.9-11.7 mg of lutein per day in your diet appears to be safe. In research, lutein supplements have been used safely in doses up to 15 mg daily for up to two years. Additionally, health experts note that taking up to 20 mg of lutein both from the diet and supplements seems to be safe. 5 

Are there any adverse effects of lutein?

None well documented. No clinically important adverse reactions were reported at doses up to lutein 20 mg/day. Purified crystalline lutein derived from marigold has US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) GRAS status and can be added to certain foods and beverages. There is strong safety evidence at doses up to 20 mg/day.

Is it safe to take lutein during pregnancy?

There is no evidence available to determine a safe lutein supplement dose in children. As with many other medications and supplements, there is no information about safety in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Very large doses of carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin can cause carotenodermia – a yellow-orange skin discoloration.

Can I self-treat with lutein?

While lutein supplements may be of some benefit in the treatment or prevention of certain health problems, self-treating with the supplements (and avoiding or delaying standard care) is not recommended. If you’re considering the use of lutein supplements, talk to your doctor about selecting a supplement and daily dosage that suit your health needs.