What is Lutein?
Lutein is a naturally occurring antioxidant absorbed by the body through a healthy diet.
In nature, Lutein is found in breast milk, grass-fed cow’s milk, and in fruits, vegetables, and roots with vibrant colors, typically leaning toward yellow, orange, or dark green. In infants and children, lutein—along with other carotenoids—collects in the eyes, where it helps provide protective benefits. In infants and children, lutein is important for brain development and protecting the delicate parts of of the eye.
What makes Lutein in Little Étoile different?
- Naturally derived — plant derived source from marigold flowers.
- Proven ingredient — backed by more than 25 years of eye health research.
- Gentle & effective — easily absorbed by the body.
- Trusted quality — supplied as a patented form for consistency and safety.
How is it produced?
Lutein is carefully extracted from the vibrant petals of marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta). This plant is the only FSANZ-approved natural source of lutein. A gentle, specialised process is used to separate the lutein pigment, preserving its purity and effectiveness.
How does it work?
Once consumed, lutein naturally accumulates in areas of the brain and eye where it provides protective benefits:
- Antioxidant protection — concentrated in sensitive parts of the eye, lutein helps neutralise free radicals that can affect healthy vision.
- Blue light filtering — it absorbs excess blue light from everyday sources such as digital screens and sunlight.
- Support for retinal structure — lutein helps maintain the delicate architecture of the retina, supporting its role in sensing light.
What does the research say?
In children, the eyes collect lutein and other carotenoids from breast milk, milk formulas and foods. Most of it accumulates in the macula, part of the sensitive retina, which is responsible for the kind of detailed, close-up vision that develops during reading and writing [1].
In one study, improvements were observed in low-light visual sensitivity in infants [2]. As children get older, their macula makes more of a substance called “macular pigment”, a blue light filter.
It has been found that macular pigment increases as toddlers get older, but also, the level of lutein and combined carotenoids in their blood corresponds to the level of macular pigments [3] (figures).
Increase in macular pigments in children vs age
Relationship between lutein levels and macular pigments in children
References:
1. Stringham, et al. Curr Dev Nutr. 2019 Jun 4;3(7):nzz066
2. Rubin et al. J Perinatol. 2012 Jun;32(6):418-24.
3. Bernstein et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Jun 10;54(6):4034-40.
Which Little Étoile products contain Lutein?
$50.90