A new study suggests that oral supplements of lutein and zeaxanthin may provide some protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin damage and bolster the skin’s natural antioxidant system.

Lutein is a naturally-occuring carotenoid found in egg yolk and green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Zeaxanthin also is a carotenoid, and both nutrients have a history of being used as dietary supplements to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Though earlier studies have shown that a daily lutein supplement may have the ability to protect the skin from sun damage, this new study, published in the Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, is the first to attempt to determine the specific impact of lutein and zeaxanthin alone on human skin.

“It provides strong new evidence of lutein’s positive role in promoting skin health and appearance by increasing hydration, elasticity, lipid content and photo-protective activity,” says co-author Dick Roberts, Ph.D, senior manager of scientific affairs for Kemin Health (the maker of the FloraGLO brand of lutein used in the study).

The researchers studied 120 healthy female subjects—average age was 35—with a variety of skin types for 12 weeks. Each woman was exhibiting signs of premature aging and was assigned to receive one of four different interventions: a combination of an oral lutein/zeaxanthin supplement and a lutein/zeaxanthin oil-free liquid topical application; the oral supplement plus a topical placebo; an oral placebo plus the lutein/zeaxanthin topical application; or an oral placebo plus a topical placebo.

The oral supplement was 20-percent lutein in safflower oil and the topical application was 5-percent lutein in an oil-free liquid.

At the end of the 12 weeks, the researchers reported that surface lipids increased by 63 percent for the combined oral and topical intervention, by 46 percent for the oral lutein only, and 23 percent for the topical lutein only. Additionally, photo-protection—which was calculated based on actinic erythema (skin surface redness) after a two-minute exposure to UV radiation on the forearms—and the minimum erythema dose (the length of UV exposure that causes sunburn) were increased in each lutein/zeaxanthin intervention in comparison to the placebo group.

“The topical lutein/zeaxanthin application provided a two-fold increase in this activity in just two weeks, the oral lutein/zeaxanthin supplement provided more than a four-fold increase and the combined intervention provided a six-fold increase in photo-protective activity when compared to the placebo,” the researchers report.

The researchers point out that neither carotenoid absorbs UV light, thereby improving the nutrients’ efficacy in protecting against UV-induced free radical. They also note that carotenoids are known to quench reactive oxygen species responsible for the production of free radicals.

“The present study indicates that the administration of lutein and zeaxanthin provides multiple benefits to the skin,” the researchers report. “In addition to the protection of the skin from the deleterious effects of UV damage and decreased lipid peroxidation, these xanthophylls also increased the surface lipids, skin hydration and skin elasticity.”

For more information about lutein, visit the Lutein Information Bureau. Source: Nutraingredients.com – Europe

09/26/2007