Lutein Side Effects and Warnings

Safety Issues

Although lutein is a normal part of the diet, there has not been much evaluation of lutein's safety when taken as a concentrated supplement. One study found evidence that lutein is safe in doses up to the highest tested dose of 10 mg daily. ¹ A review of other evidence concluded that long term use of lutein should be safe when taken at a dose of up to 20 mg per day. ² A 2009 study following 77,126 adults (over age 50), however, suggests that there may be some harm in long-term supplementation with lutein. This study found that long-term use of beta-carotene, lutein or retinol supplements may increase lung cancer risk. Long-term supplement use was determined by subjects' memory of the previous 10 years, so the results of this large study should be interpreted with some caution. ³ Maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.