Lutein, an antioxidant found naturally in fruits and vegetables, helps maintain your and your children's eye health. Since children only need a small amount, which is easy to get through a well-balanced diet, you typically do not need to worry about supplementing their intake.
Lutein
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, lutein is a pigment produced naturally by plants and select microorganisms. Lutein is classified as a carotenoid, a brightly colored pigment. Carotenoids like lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene give plants and vegetables their diverse and vibrant colors. Lutein and the other carotenoids are commonly known for their antioxidant properties as they fight against the effects of free radicals, particles produced during your body's natural process of oxidation.
Functions
While lutein can be used in adults to prevent cancer or age-related eye problems like cataracts, it primarily supports eye health in children. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the human eye needs the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin to absorb blue light, reducing the amount that penetrates to the main visual centers of the eye. This helps prevent light-related damage to children's eyes and may help prevent the development of eye problems, like macular degeneration, later in life.
Supplementation
Negative side effects of lutein supplements in children have not been widely studied. According to Wellness.com, there is currently no safe or effective dose for children. While taking a lutein supplement may cause carotenodermia, a yellowing of the skin due to high blood levels of carotenoids, this should pass after ceasing a high intake or dose. However, children do not typically need lutein supplementation and should only take a supplement under the direction of a doctor.
Sources
Instead of getting lutein from a multivitamin or supplement, your child should get lutein from a well-balanced diet. Children should be eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, and you can mix in a few particularly lutein-rich foods to ensure that your child is getting the lutein his body needs to maintain healthy eyes. Vegetables rich in lutein include kale, spinach, winter squash, cabbage and green beans. Fruits with higher levels of lutein include yellow and orange fruits, including mangos, papayas, peaches and oranges.
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