ID 1605 - Luteina

PL: Luteina
EN: Lutein
Pdf: lutein

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is lutein.
Lutein is a carotenoid naturally present in foods and especially in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Lutein can be measured in foods by established methods. Lutein preparations from natural sources (e.g. plant petals) often contain minor amounts of zeaxanthin.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, lutein, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.2. Ochrona skóry przed uszkodzeniem promieniami ultrafioletowymi (UV) (ID 1605, 1779)

The claimed effects are “skin health” and “antioxidant activity”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to UV-dependent premature aging of the skin related to photo-oxidative damage of skin structure and texture, and to direct UV-induced skin damage (sunburn).
The Panel considers that protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage is a beneficial physiological effect.

3.2. Ochrona skóry przed uszkodzeniem promieniami ultrafioletowymi (UV) (ID 1605, 1779)

Some of the references provided addressed the effects of lutein consumption in combination with zeaxanthin or other antioxidant molecules (e.g. tocopherol, ascorbate) on different skin outcomes. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, multicentre study, 20 women (25-50 years) were randomly allocated to receive 10 mg of lutein naturally containing 0.6 mg zeaxanthin in capsules daily (n=10) or placebo (n=10) over a period of 12 weeks (Palombo et al., 2007). The effects of lutein on skin surface lipids, lipid peroxidation, photoprotective activity, skin elasticity, and skin hydration were evaluated. Skin surface lipids, skin hydration and elasticity were unrelated to the claimed effect. Lipid peroxidation was assessed using malondialdehyde (MDA) measured by a colorimetric assay. The Panel notes that this method is not a reliable method to assess lipid peroxidation. Photoprotective
activity was measured as changes in minimal erythemal dose (MED). The Panel notes that UV-induced erythema (sunburn or skin reddening) is a primary reaction of the skin following overexposure to UV (sun) light and that it represents an inflammatory response of cutaneous tissue as a consequence of light-dependent molecular and cellular damage. However, the Panel also notes that, whereas a reduction in skin erythema after UV light or sun exposure may indicate a reduction in UV-induced skin damage, it can also reflect a reduction in the capacity of the skin to react to molecular and cellular damage, and that the data provided in this study did not allow such effects to be distinguished. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of lutein and protection of the skin from UV-induced (including photo-oxidative) damage.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Minimum 10 mg/day (regular consumption of lutein via dietary sources or/and supplementation) WARNING: Avoid sunburns by using an effective sun screen. This product is not a replacement for sun screens