Lutein
Of 2,498 on-market lutein products in the January 2026 DSLD dump, the median declared dose is 3 mg, and 73.5% list Free (unesterified) Lutein as the primary form.
Form share
Of 2,432 products with an identifiable primary form, here is the share held by each form of Lutein on the market today.
| Form | Quality tier | n | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free (unesterified) Lutein | Tier 1 | 1,787 | 73.5% |
| Lutein Esters (marigold-derived) | Tier 1 | 645 | 26.5% |
Form share over time
Entry-year breakdown of the top forms, 2012–2025.
Dose distribution
Deciles of declared dose per serving (mg), among 2,028 products with a disclosed amount.
- 31.7% of products fall below the fairy-dust threshold (1 mg, 20% of the studied low dose).
- 15.6% of products don't disclose an amount because Lutein is declared inside a proprietary blend.
By dosage form
By target group
Top brands
Forms explained
The form used in AREDS2, the largest RCT evidence base for lutein; directly absorbed without requiring ester hydrolysis.
Source: AREDS2 Research Group 2013, JAMA 309(19):2005-2015, PMID 23644932
A 2024 randomized crossover trial found free and ester forms produced equivalent serum lutein response and equivalent visual-outcome measures over 2 months -- esterification does not meaningfully impair bioavailability once formulation is adequate.
Source: Olmedilla-Alonso B et al. 2024, Nutrients, PMC11123982
Branded ingredient with its own published human RCTs on macular pigment and visual/cognitive performance; functionally an ester-based marigold extract, so evidence tracks the lutein-esters evidence above plus brand-specific trials.
Source: uncertain -- needs review (specific RCT citation not independently pulled this session)
Reference values
- RDA (adult): not established — Carotenoid derived from marigold flower, not an essential nutrient; no DRI exists.
- Tolerable Upper Intake Level (adult): not established — Not established -- no IOM/NASEM UL exists. AREDS2 (5-year RCT, 10mg/day lutein + 2mg/day zeaxanthin) and its 10-year follow-up reported no safety signal at that dose.
- Studied clinical dose range: 5–20 mg
- AREDS2 Research Group 2013, JAMA 309(19):2005-2015, PMID 23644932 -- 10mg lutein/2mg zeaxanthin daily x~5yr; lutein/zeaxanthin safely substituted for beta-carotene (which carries lung-cancer risk in smokers), modest benefit in those with low dietary intake. Dose-ranging support: a 140-day RCT (n=87) of 5/10/20mg/day found a dose-dependent, plateauing rise in serum lutein/macular pigment optical density [PMID 20599660, exact author list uncertain -- needs review].