Lutemax® Free Lutein (Marigold Lutein)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

1. Parekh R, Hammond BR Jr, Chandradhara D. Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study. Adv Ther. 2024;41(4):1496-1511..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 children aged 5 to 12 given gummies with 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin or placebo for 180 days. Macular pigment density (the primary endpoint) and serum carotenoids rose, and eye strain, fatigue and some cognitive measures improved versus placebo. The trial used generic lutein and zeaxanthin gummies, not confirmed as this specific product, and was conducted in children rather than adult supplement users.
2. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group; Chew EY, Clemons TE, SanGiovanni JP, et al. Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005-2015. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.4997.PubMedUsed to support: Large randomized trial (n=4203, adults aged 50 to 85) of lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg added to the AREDS supplement. In the primary analysis, lutein and zeaxanthin did not significantly reduce progression to advanced macular degeneration (hazard ratio 0.90, P=.12), but they were judged an appropriate, safer carotenoid substitute for beta-carotene and are the established macular carotenoids. This grounds the eye claim in independent adult evidence rather than a single pediatric trial.
3. Wang MX, Jiao JH, Li ZY, Liu RR, Shi Q, Ma L. Lutein supplementation reduces plasma lipid peroxidation and C-reactive protein in healthy nonsmokers. Atherosclerosis. 2013;227(2):380-5..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 117 healthy nonsmokers given 10 or 20 mg/d lutein or placebo for 12 weeks. Plasma lutein and total antioxidant capacity rose in both lutein groups. Malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation marker, fell in the 20 mg group. Plain lutein, not this branded product.
4. Zhou J, Wang S, Wang Q, Zhao R, Wang D, Xie H, Du Y, Xu Y, Deng J, Huang Y, Liu Y, Peng X, Hao L, Liu L. Effect of lutein supplementation on blood lipids and advanced glycation end products in adults with central obesity: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Food Funct. 2025;16(5):2096-2107..PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind RCT in 117 adults with central obesity (23 lost to follow-up): 10 mg/d lutein or placebo for 32 weeks. In both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, malondialdehyde fell versus placebo, along with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. Plain lutein, not this branded product.
5. Hininger IA, Meyer-Wenger A, Moser U, Wright A, Southon S, Thurnham D, Chopra M, Van Den Berg H, Olmedilla B, Favier AE, Roussel AM. No significant effects of lutein, lycopene or beta-carotene supplementation on biological markers of oxidative stress and LDL oxidizability in healthy adult subjects. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(3):232-8..PubMedUsed to support: Placebo-controlled, single-blind study in 175 healthy men assigned to beta-carotene, lutein (15 mg), lycopene or placebo for three months. Lutein raised plasma and LDL lutein but did not change LDL resistance to oxidation, glutathione, protein SH groups or antioxidant enzyme activities. This is the null result behind 'mixed results'.