Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, powerful antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as in eggs. The lutein and zeaxanthin we eat accumulates in our eyes where they help our vision and protect our eyes from damage from sunlight. Untreated vision loss is a risk factor for dementia; therefore, these compounds may contribute to brain health by promoting eye health. Studies also find that greater consumption of lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich foods may be associated with better cognitive function and lower dementia risk. Consumption is safe at moderate and regular amounts.
Large and long-term clinical trials have tested the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin for vision and eye health, but the clinical trials that have directly tested these compounds for cognitive benefits have been small. Several epidemiological studies have looked at the association between cognitive function and intake and levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. Our search identified:
Supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin, along with other compounds, has been shown to reduce the progression of age-related macular degeneration and protect vision [1]. As untreated vision loss is a risk factor for dementia, any benefits for vision could theoretically benefit cognitive health as well [2]. More work is needed to disentangle what benefits may be due to a direct effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on brain health, and what benefits may be due to mitigating the risk factor of vision loss.
Clinical trials have tested whether supplementation with lutein and / or zeaxanthin directly impacts cognitive function in healthy adults. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that there was a trend towards better performance in some aspects of cognition and memory in participants who received lutein supplementation compared to those who received placebo supplementation. When they looked at how the performance of the participants changed over the treatment duration, they found that many trials found significant slowing of cognitive decline in the lutein supplementation group compared to the control group. The researchers hypothesized that lutein may prevent decline rather than improve existing cognitive function, and that studies may need to be at least four months long to see any effects [3]. A systematic review of clinical trials of supplementation with carotenoids also found some evidence of potential benefit of lutein supplementation, though the reviewed studies were small and had variable results [4]. For instance, some small clinical trials report that combination supplements that include lutein and zeaxanthin, along with other compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, improve memory in cognitively healthy adults [5], while other small studies of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and zeaxanthin report memory benefit only in adults who are experiencing cognitive decline [6]. Large clinical trials of sufficient length are needed in order to further explore the potential effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on brain health, and whether these effects are due to lutein and zeaxanthin or to a synergistic effect with other compounds in the combination supplements often tested in trials.
While the clinical trial evidence is mixed, the epidemiological evidence is more robust. Several epidemiological studies have found that both higher consumption of lutein and/or zeaxanthin as well as higher blood levels of lutein and/or zeaxanthin are associated with better cognitive function when compared to lower consumption or lower blood levels [7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12]. Other observational studies have found that people with higher intake of lutein and zeaxanthin or higher blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with lower incidence of dementia [13; 14], though not all studies come to the same conclusion [15]. A systematic review suggested that higher levels of lutein, as well as supplementation with lutein for 12 months, may be linked to better measures of brain health and function, such as changes in brain activity and brain volume [16].
One study found that APOE4 carriers who had higher blood levels of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, had slower cognitive decline over the course of three years compared to those who had lower blood levels of carotenoids. The researchers did not see any difference in rate of cognitive decline in non-carriers based on their levels of carotenoids. Controlled clinical trials would be needed to investigate whether lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation have preferential benefits based on APOE status [17].
For more information on what the APOE4 gene allele means for your health, read our APOE4 information page.
Two very small clinical trials have reported that combination supplements that contain lutein and zeaxanthin, among other nutrients, slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients [18; 19], though shorter intervention studies of just lutein and zeaxanthin did not find any effect on cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease [20].
Meta-analyses and systematic reviews of observational studies have found that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have significantly lower levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in their blood than similarly aged individuals without Alzheimer’s disease [21; 22; 23]. An observational study found that in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, those with high blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin had a lower incidence of death due to Alzheimer’s disease compared to Alzheimer’s patients with low blood levels of the two compounds [24].
It is important to note that observational studies cannot separate correlation from causation, and the findings from the two small clinical trials discussed above are very preliminary. Larger and longer clinical trials are needed to determine whether lutein and/or zeaxanthin play an influential role in dementia progression.
Both lutein and zeaxanthin are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when consumed as food or food additive by the FDA and is also allowed by the European Union [25]. A large trial of more than 4,000 adult participants that lasted for more than five years tested a combination supplement that included 10 mg per day of lutein and 2 mg per day of zeaxanthin and found no safety concerns of lutein and zeaxanthin at these doses [1]. Overall, existing evidence suggests that dosing of up to 20 mg per day of lutein and 2 mg per day of zeaxanthin is not associated with any safety concerns [25; 26; 27].
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive safety evaluation or complete list of potentially harmful drug interactions. It is important to discuss safety issues with your physician before taking any new supplement or medication.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in many fruits and vegetables, such as kale, spinach, corn, peppers, goji berries, and eggs [28; 29]. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are absorbed best when they are consumed with a high fat meal. Lutein and zeaxanthin can also be obtained through supplements; one large, long-term clinical trial utilized 10 mg per day for lutein and 2 mg per day for zeaxanthin [30], though higher doses have also been tested [25].
Full scientific report (PDF) on Cognitive Vitality Reports
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AREDS/AREDS2 Clinical Trials.