A carotenoid concentrated in the eye's macula, backed by the large AREDS2 Phase 3 trial for slowing age-related macular degeneration progression, with additional evidence for cognitive benefits.
This is genuinely strong, large-scale RCT evidence (AREDS2, n=4,203, 5 years) for slowing macular degeneration progression, one of the most rigorous longevity/aging-disease trials on this entire list. Cognitive benefit evidence is more mixed, with the main AREDS2 ancillary cognitive study showing no overall benefit, though smaller separate RCTs found positive effects on attention and memory.
Lutein (Lutein (xanthophyll carotenoid)) is a antioxidant / eye and cognitive aging support with evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. We track 1 products containing Lutein. Typical doses range from 10 to 10 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 6.2 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $50.00 per month.
| Product | Brand | Dose | Price/mo | 3rd-party tested | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemme NAD+ | Lemme | 10 mg | $50.00 | No | 6.2 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.
Lutein is a yellow-orange pigment (carotenoid) found in leafy greens, corn, and egg yolks, which the body concentrates specifically in the macula of the eye (part of the retina responsible for central, detailed vision).
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cognitive decline are both major contributors to loss of quality of life and independence in aging. Lutein (with its close relative zeaxanthin) is the best-evidenced compound on this list for a specific age-related disease outcome — a large NIH-funded Phase 3 trial (AREDS2) directly demonstrated reduced disease progression.
This is genuinely strong, large-scale RCT evidence (AREDS2, n=4,203, 5 years) for slowing macular degeneration progression, one of the most rigorous longevity/aging-disease trials on this entire list. Cognitive benefit evidence is more mixed, with the main AREDS2 ancillary cognitive study showing no overall benefit, though smaller separate RCTs found positive effects on attention and memory.
Lutein and its stereoisomer/relative zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids that accumulate specifically in the macula (as "macular pigment") and lens, functioning as blue-light filters and localized antioxidants.
The AREDS2 trial (Chew et al. 2013, JAMA) randomized 4,203 participants at risk for advanced AMD to formulations including 10 mg lutein plus 2 mg zeaxanthin daily, or other combinations, over 5 years, finding reduced progression to late AMD, particularly favorable versus the beta-carotene-containing arm (hazard ratio 0.85, p=0.02). Long-term follow-up (AREDS2 Report 28) confirmed durability of the effect. A dedicated cognitive ancillary study within AREDS2 found no significant overall cognitive benefit, but a separate smaller RCT (n=51, 12 mg/day L+Z combined for 1 year) found improved complex attention and cognitive flexibility, and another RCT (n=90, 10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin, 6 months) found improved visual episodic memory and learning.
Lutein has a relatively long tissue half-life in the macula/retina (weeks to months of accumulation and depletion), though plasma half-life after single dosing is shorter (on the order of days); trial benefits require months to years of continuous supplementation.
Fat-soluble compound requiring dietary fat for optimal absorption; excessive doses may cause carotenodermia (yellowish skin discoloration), which is cosmetic and reversible; smokers should be cautious with high-dose beta-carotene combination products (though lutein/zeaxanthin themselves were the AREDS2-preferred alternative specifically due to beta-carotene's lung cancer risk in smokers).
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Lutein, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.
Chew EY, et al. (2013). Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. PMID 23644932.
Read study →All products in our catalog that contain Lutein, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
LemmeMulti-ingredient bundle
Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.
Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.
Molecules in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Lutein in our catalogue.
See Lutein in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.
View Lutein on the Longevity Map →Lutein is a yellow-orange pigment (carotenoid) found in leafy greens, corn, and egg yolks, which the body concentrates specifically in the macula of the eye (part of the retina responsible for central, detailed vision).
The trial dose in published human studies is 10 mg per day, with a range of 10 to 20 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Fat-soluble compound requiring dietary fat for optimal absorption; excessive doses may cause carotenodermia (yellowish skin discoloration), which is cosmetic and reversible; smokers should be cautious with high-dose beta-carotene combination products (though lutein/zeaxanthin themselves were the AREDS2-preferred alternative specifically due to beta-carotene's lung cancer risk in smokers).
We track 1 products containing Lutein. The top-ranked product scores 6.2 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
Lutein has evidence grade A, meaning it is well-supported by replicated human trials. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.