Lutein Vs Luteolin: What's the Difference?

While the names are very similar, lutein and luteolin are actually very different.

Lutein is a type of organic pigment, considered as “the eye vitamin”, while luteolin is a plant flavonoid that has been attributed with a number of beneficial properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

As popular ingredients in supplements such as testosterone boosters and vision formulas, there is a lot to know about these compounds and their health benefits.

This article explores the difference between lutein and luteolin, including their benefits on the mind and body!

What is Lutein?

Lutein is an organic pigment called a carotenoid. It is related to other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Lutein is one of the two major carotenoids found in the human eye, functioning as a light filter and protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage.

Lutein-rich sources include bright colorful foods such as egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, zucchini, and squash.

Though, you can also find lutein as a supplement, often taken by mouth to help prevent eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Health Benefits of Lutein

As one of the key nutrients for eye health, it’s no surprise that lutein possesses some impressive protective benefits. Some of these possible benefits include:

• Suppressing inflammation
• Protecting against free radicals and oxidative stress
• Improving visual contrast sensitivity
• Reducing glare impairment
• Protecting eye tissue from sunlight damage
• Protecting eyes from harmful blue light
• Enhancing the sharpness of your vision

While the above benefits contribute to overall eye health, there are also many eye conditions that it may also help with, such as:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

This is the leading cause of blindness and permanent visual impairment in the Western world. Some studies have suggested that lutein taken alongside zeaxanthin may protect against the progression of late-stage AMD.¹

• Diabetic retinopathy

This condition impacts around one-third of individuals suffering from diabetes. While research remains limited, one animal study has shown that lutein may help reduce oxidative stress markers that lead to eye damage and vision loss.²

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• Cataracts

Cataracts develop in the lens of your eye, mainly causing cloudy patches. This condition is thought to be associated with low dietary lutein.

• Dry eye disease

Also known as dry eye syndrome, dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough lubrication to coat them. This can be an uncomfortable experience, causing itchy, redness, blurriness, and burning of the eyes. According to one study, lutein may help ease these symptoms.³

The Best Lutein Supplement

With all that being said, what lutein supplement is best?

Our top pick is Performance Lab Vision!

Performance Lab Vision promotes eye health and vision performance, enhancing focus speed, motion detection, night vision, and more.

As with many supplements or key nutrients, they are best effective when stacked with other effective ingredients.

Performance Lab Vision is combined with zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, saffron, bilberry extract, and blackcurrant extract, all working to uniquely support both dynamic eyesight and long-range eye health.

What is Luteolin?

Now onto luteolin, a very different compound from lutein!

Luteolin is a flavonoid present in many colorful fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs.

The main purpose of flavonoids is to protect plants from microbes and other threats and also provide humans with a range of health benefits.

Many global herbal traditions use luteolin-rich plants to strengthen the immune system, relieve inflammation, and even help fight cancer.

Both “flavonoid” and “luteolin” have the yellow color in their names (Latin: luteus, flavus), and luteolin is bright yellow in its crystalline form. This is why it’s often confused with lutein, a yellow plant pigment.

You can find luteolin in leaves such as parsley and celery, and also dandelion, onion, citrus fruits, spices, and some vegetables.

Health Benefits of Luteolin

Preliminary research has suggested that luteolin may help a range of chronic conditions. These conditions include:

• Possibly protecting the brain and nerves

With this, luteolin is thought to potentially help a range of brain-related conditions and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and seizures.

• May have antimicrobial properties

This could potentially help protect the body against bacterial and viral infections.

• May promote heart health

Luteolin is thought to potentially decrease inflammation and fat buildup in blood vessels, protecting against atherosclerosis or plaque buildup. Though, many of these studies have been done on mice.

• Possible effects on testosterone

One of the most notable effects of luteolin is its potential effects on testosterone. Luteolin is thought to block aromatase, which is the enzyme that converts testosterone (the male hormone) into estrogen (the female hormone).

Additionally, luteolin’s bioactivity indirectly supports healthy testosterone levels, which is precisely why it’s a key ingredient in natural testosterone boosters.

The Best Luteolin Supplement

Luteolin maximizes the impact of D-aspartic acid by blocking testosterone from converting into estrogen.

Conclusion

While the names are very similar, both deriving from the Latin word for yellow, lutein and luteolin are actually very different compounds.

To summarize, lutein is an organic pigment called a carotenoid. This is thought to help with long-range eye health and reduce the symptoms and causes of several eye-related diseases and conditions.

Luteolin is a flavonoid that is thought to have many protective effects on the body. It may have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and is also thought to potentially act as a testosterone booster.

Performance Lab Vision is our top pick supplement that includes lutein!