Antiaging Benefits of Topical and Oral Lutein

Kemin Health recently reported that its lutein supplement technology was found to have antiaging skin benefits. Zoraida DeFreitas, PhD, the company's vice president of R&D, presented “Oral Nutrients for Skin Care” at the 6th Annual Cosmeceuticals Conference in New York City on June 30, 2009. Research suggests that both topical and oral lutein can increase skin hydration and decrease skin lipid peroxidation, providing antiaging benefits to skin.

Internal research was conducted on the company's FloraGLO Lutein, a patented, purified lutein used by supplement and food manufacturers for products specific to eye health and function. Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid found in some leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale. According to DeFreitas's presentation, lutein may provide a protective role due to its ability to fight free radicals in the skin, as well as the environmental challenges to skin health.

The company cited research showing that lutein is deposited throughout the human skin, delivering antioxidant benefits to cells. A randomized, placebo-controlled, human clinical trial was conducted in which participants were administered 10 mg of an oral supplement containing lutein daily for 12 weeks. These participants showed a measurable increase in skin hydration and elasticity, and a decrease in skin lipid peroxidation. In addition, the company reported that lutein used in a topical preparation applied to the skin showed significant improvements in these parameters and when combined with oral lutein supplements, generated even greater results than oral or topical lutein separately.

The FloraGLO product is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for a number of food and beverage applications, and different product forms are available for inclusion in a variety of supplements and foods.

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