Lutein, Omega-3 (2008, 2023) & Macular Degeneration

Learn more about macular degeneration

2023

This 2023 review of studies states that dietary supplementation of antioxidants, "explicitly lutein, slows the progress of AMD in advanced stages." Suggested lifestyle modifications include dietary adjustments with foods high in antioxidants and the omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers also found a 40% decline in the risk of advanced AMD in people who consumed more than 6mg of carotenoids each day.

Chaudhuri M, Hassan Y, Bakka Vemana PPS, Bellary Pattanashetty MS, Abdin ZU, et al. (2023). Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Exponentially Emerging Imminent Threat of Visual Impairment and Irreversible Blindness. Cureus. May 29;15(5):e39624.

2008

Researchers studied the ability of lutein and omega-3 (DHA) to enhance macular pigments to protect against macular degeneration and other macular conditions.

The study was a four-month, placebo-controlled study involving nearly 50 women who were given either placebo, DHA, lutein, or lutein plus DHA. They chose these nutrients because DHA is found in the healthy retina and lutein is found in the healthy maculas.

The dosages of lutein (12 mg/day) and DHA (800 mg/day) were evaluated for their effect on levels in blood plasma and in the optical density of the macular pigment.

Both supplements alone helped to increase their concentration levels in the eye. Both lutein and DHA together displayed a synergistic benefit with the greatest difference on serum concentrations and pigment density when taken together.

Reseachers: E. J. Johnson, Hae-Yun Chung, et al,
Published: The influence of supplemental lutein and docosahexaenoic acid on serum, lipoproteins, and macular pigmentation, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May, 2008.

Editor's note: this earlier study has been validated by others; but other carotenoids zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are also very important to protect the macula.