New Study Demonstrates Dietary Supplement Lutein Increases Skin Hydration, Elasticity And Lipid Levels

Highlights from a new clinical study presented today at the "Beyond Beauty Paris" conference in France provide compelling evidence that lutein, a dietary nutrient available as a supplement and long-known for its effectiveness in promoting eye health, also provides specific skin health benefits. These include increasing the hydration, elasticity and superficial lipids of the skin, while decreasing the oxidation - a process that causes degradation - of those beneficial skin lipids.

Topline results of the study, presented by Dr. Pierfrancesco Morganti, professor of applied cosmetic dermatology at the University of Naples, on behalf of the research team, indicated that lutein and its associated molecule zeaxanthin, when taken daily as a 10 mg oral lutein supplement, increased skin hydration by 38 percent, skin elasticity by 8 percent and the level of superficial lipids present in the skin by 33 percent after adjustments for placebo. Results also showed that lutein decreased oxidation of those beneficial lipids by 55 percent after adjustment for placebo.

The study further demonstrated that the combination of oral and topical administration of lutein/zeaxanthin provided even more powerful improvements, increasing skin hydration by 60 percent, skin elasticity by 20 percent and the amount of superficial lipids present in the skin by 50 percent after adjustment for placebo, all while decreasing the oxidation of those beneficial lipids by 64 percent.

Lutein, a nutrient naturally found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens, as well as broccoli, corn and egg yolks, is present in tissues in the eye, blood serum, skin, cervix, brain and breast. It is not produced by the human body and thus must be ingested daily through food or taken as a supplement.

The study, entitled "Clinical Evidence for Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Skin Health, Part 1: Comparison of Placebo, Oral, Topical and Combined Oral/Topical Xanthophyll Treatments," was conducted in Italy on female subjects, age 25-50, over a 12-week period. The test product utilized in the study contained FloraGLO(R) Lutein, manufactured by Kemin Health, L.C., of Des Moines Iowa. It was administered daily at 10 mg (oral supplementation) and 50 ppm (topical formulation) to subjects in the study's different test groups.

"This is the first study to determine the impact of lutein/zeaxanthin alone on the human skin," said Richard L. ("Dick") Roberts, Ph.D., senior manager of scientific affairs for Kemin Health, the leading manufacturer of lutein. "It provides strong new evidence of lutein's positive role in promoting skin health and appearance by increasing hydration, elasticity and lipid content."

"This research underscores the importance of thinking about skin health and beauty from the 'inside out,'" said Bruce Katz, M.D., a dermatologist and director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York, who is working with Kemin to educate consumers on the role of nutrition as part of a total skin health and beauty regimen. "The benefits of taking lutein daily will be of great interest to people who are looking for new ways to improve the hydration and elasticity of their skin and help reduce the appearance of premature aging."

The new study adds to an existing body of research that suggests lutein, when taken on a daily basis, may help bolster the skin's natural antioxidant defense system, helping to protect skin from potentially damaging effects of sun and artificial light exposure.

About Kemin

A nutritional ingredient manufacturer, Kemin is committed to improving the nutrition of the world with functional products that deliver maximum efficacy through superior chemistry. FloraGLO(R) Lutein is the world's leading patented, purified lutein. Products with FloraGLO(R) Lutein contain the same lutein naturally found in dark green leafy vegetables as well as eggs. Studies indicate daily lutein intake of 6 mg to 10 mg may be beneficial.

A Kemin-affiliated company, Kemin Health is ISO 9001:2000 certified and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Kemin has manufacturing facilities in Iowa, Texas, Belgium, India, Singapore, China and Thailand. To learn more visit http://www.luteininfo.com or http://www.kemin.com.