Meta Information
ID:lutein
Name:
Schema Version:2.4_uniform_evidence_2026_06_18
Created
2026-05-21T22:30:00Z
Model
phase-a-upgrade-claude-sonnet-4.6
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/high-fat-meal
Target name:
Meal Containing Dietary Fat
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Lutein is a fat-soluble carotenoid, meaning it requires dietary fat to be properly absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Actionable advice:
Lutein should be taken with a meal that contains a source of healthy fat (e.g., olive oil, avocado, nuts).
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
The plasma lutein response was higher when lutein esters were consumed with the high-fat spread (207% increase) than with the low-fat spread (88% increase).
Label source:
PubMed: The American journal of clinical nutrition (2000)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
The amount of dietary fat required to ensure carotenoid absorption seems low (approximately 3-5 g per meal), although it depends on the physicochemical characteristics of the carotenoids ingested.
Label source:
PubMed: The Journal of nutrition (2000)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Across a more limited 0-4-g range of soybean oil, there were minor linear increases in the chylomicron AUC for lutein and α- and total tocopherol.
Label source:
PubMed: The American journal of clinical nutrition (2017)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/class/bile-acid-sequestrants
Target name:
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol) bind to bile acids, which are essential for forming the micelles needed to absorb fat-soluble nutrients like lutein.
Actionable advice:
Lutein should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after a bile acid sequestrant.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Because cholestyramine binds bile acids, QUESTRAN may interfere with normal fat digestion
and absorption and thus may prevent absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and
K.
Label source:
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/orlistat
Target name:
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Orlistat is a weight-loss medication that works by blocking the absorption of dietary fat, which consequently blocks the absorption of fat-soluble lutein.
Actionable advice:
The lutein dose and Orlistat should be separated by at least 2 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_fda_label
Evidence tier:
tier_a
Evidence basis:
fda_label_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
11 DESCRIPTION
11 DESCRIPTION XENICAL (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor for obesity management that acts by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats.
Label source:
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/condition/smoking-status
Target name:
Smoking
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Smoking creates significant oxidative stress throughout the body, which depletes circulating levels of antioxidants, including lutein, increasing the body's demand for it.
Actionable advice:
Smoking increases oxidative demand and lowers carotenoid status; if you smoke, lutein needs are higher. (Lutein is safe for smokers, unlike beta-carotene.)
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Oxidation of carotenoids by heat and tobacco smoke
Label source:
Primary literature: https://www.doctorsformulas.com/en/category/newsposts/cigarette-smoking-and-retinal-carotenoids.htm
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/intervention/beta-carotene
Target name:
Beta-Carotene Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
High-dose beta-carotene competes with lutein for the same intestinal transporters, so taking them together can blunt lutein absorption.
Actionable advice:
Lutein and high-dose beta-carotene are best separated by about 2 hours to let each be absorbed independently.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Effects of lutein on the AUC for beta-carotene were inversely related to the AUC for beta-carotene alone.
Label source:
PubMed: Intestinal absorption, serum clearance, and interactions between lutein and beta-carotene when administered to human adults in separate or combined oral doses. (PMID 7661123)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/zeaxanthin
Target name:
Zeaxanthin
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Lutein and zeaxanthin are eye-protective partner carotenoids that concentrate together in the macula. In the gut they are taken up by the same intestinal absorption machinery and therefore technically compete for uptake, so separating doses can modestly improve the absorption of each. In practice, however, this competition is minor at typical supplemental doses: controlled studies that co-supplement lutein and zeaxanthin together show both are absorbed and raise serum levels, which is why the widely used AREDS2 formulation combines them in a single daily dose.
Actionable advice:
For best absorption, lutein and zeaxanthin are best taken about 2 hours apart. However, these two supplements are frequently taken together with only modest change in the absorption of each at regular supplemental doses.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
Serum L, Z, and MZ concentrations increased in all active interventions compared to placebo
Label source:
Green-Gomez et al., Antioxidants 2020 (PMC7463514); PMID 32824736
Exact phrase from label:
the bioavailability of lutein and zeaxanthin critically depends on the formulation used
Label source:
Evans et al., Eur J Nutr 2013 (PMC3663991); PMID 23052623
Exact phrase from label:
The bioaccessibility and cellular uptake (4-11%) of zeaxanthin were lower than lutein.
Label source:
Abdel-Aal et al., Foods 2023 (PMC10047919); PMID 36981233
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/meso-zeaxanthin
Target name:
Meso-Zeaxanthin
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Meso-zeaxanthin is the third carotenoid found in the macula, located at its center, and works synergistically with lutein and zeaxanthin to form a complete macular pigment shield.
Actionable advice:
Consider a formula that includes all three macular carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin) for comprehensive eye support.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the human macula and may have a role in visual function.
Label source:
PubMed: The Effect of Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake on Human Macular Pigment Optical Density: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (PMID 34157098)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/condition/alcohol-chronic
Target name:
Chronic Alcohol Use (Alcohol Use Disorder)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Excessive, chronic alcohol intake can impair liver function, which is critical for the metabolism, transport, and storage of carotenoids like lutein.
Actionable advice:
Alcohol consumption is best limited to support healthy liver function and maintain adequate lutein levels.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Exact phrase from label:
prolonged use of alcohol, drugs, or both, results not only in decreased dietary intake of retinoids and carotenoids, but also accelerates the breakdown of retinol through cross-induction of degradative enzymes.
Label source:
Primary literature: https://scholars.mssm.edu/en/publications/alcohol-vitamin-a-and-%CE%B2-carotene-adverse-interactions-including-h-2/
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/class/viscous-fibers
Target name:
Viscous Fiber Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
High doses of gel-forming fibers like psyllium, pectin, or guar gum can trap fat-soluble nutrients in the gut, slightly reducing their absorption.
Actionable advice:
Lutein and high-dose viscous fiber supplements are best separated by at least 2 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_primary_literature
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
primary_literature_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
In this meta-analysis, we investigated whether the concomitant use of psyllium, a gel-forming viscous soluble fiber, would cause further overall cholesterol lowering in subjects already receiving statins.
Label source:
PubMed: Meta-Analysis of Usefulness of Psyllium Fiber as Adjuvant Antilipid Therapy to Enhance Cholesterol Lowering Efficacy of Statins. (PMID 30078477)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/iron-supplements
Target name:
Non-Heme Iron Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
High concentrations of supplemental iron (non-heme) taken with a meal can promote oxidation of carotenoids, potentially reducing the amount of lutein absorbed.
Actionable advice:
If taking a high-dose iron supplement, separate it from your lutein dose by at least 2 hours.
Validation status:
validated_via_expert_review
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
expert_review_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Vitamin A and beta-carotene can improve nonheme iron absorption from rice, wheat and corn by humans
Label source:
Expert review: pro-oxidant iron × carotenoid oxidation mechanism at high supplemental doses
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-e
Target name:
Vitamin E
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Vitamin E is another fat-soluble antioxidant that can help protect lutein from oxidation during digestion and transport, potentially enhancing its stability and effectiveness.
Actionable advice:
Ensuring adequate Vitamin E intake may help support the antioxidant function of lutein.
Validation status:
validated_via_pubmed
Evidence tier:
tier_b
Evidence basis:
pubmed_abstract_verbatim
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
In conclusion, dietary α-tocopherol enhances bioavailability of lutein reflecting higher content in egg yolk and blood plasma. Improved bioavailability might be due to increased absorption of lutein in the presence of tocopherol and/or a greater stability of lutein/zeaxanthin due to the presence of α-tocopherol as an antioxidant.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition (2016)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
In cell free media, Trolox enhanced the protective effect of lutein probably by reducing its degradation and repairing the oxidized derivatives.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology (2013)
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
VE can effectively decrease the degradation rate of lutein without changing the physical stability of emulsions.
Label source:
PubMed: Journal of food science (2020)
Action type:
informational_none
Target id:
/intervention/astaxanthin
Target name:
Astaxanthin
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Carotenoids like astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and lycopene share the same intestinal transport proteins (SR-B1 and CD36) and compete for absorption when taken together.
Actionable advice:
Carotenoid supplements are best separated by about 2 hours to allow each one to be absorbed without competition.
Validation status:
validated_via_class_inference
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
class_inference_summary
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Carotenoid absorption is mediated by intestinal proteins including SR-BI and CD36, leading to competition between dietary carotenoids for uptake.
Label source:
PubMed: Carotenoid metabolism at the intestinal barrier. (PMID 29632987)
Action type:
separate
Target id:
/intervention/lycopene
Target name:
Lycopene
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Carotenoids like astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and lycopene share the same intestinal transport proteins (SR-B1 and CD36) and compete for absorption when taken together.
Actionable advice:
Carotenoid supplements are best separated by about 2 hours to allow each one to be absorbed without competition.
Validation status:
validated_via_class_inference
Evidence tier:
tier_c
Evidence basis:
class_inference_summary
Evidence anchors:
Source url:
Exact phrase from label:
Carotenoid absorption is mediated by intestinal proteins including SR-BI and CD36, leading to competition between dietary carotenoids for uptake.
Label source:
PubMed: Carotenoid metabolism at the intestinal barrier. (PMID 29632987)
Action type:
separate