1. What is Lutein?
Lutein is an important compound in the human body, present in high concentrations in the macula (a tiny spot at the center of the retina) and in smaller amounts throughout the lens, skin, breast and cervical tissues.

2. Why is Lutein supplementation important for our health?
Lutein is not generated by the body and its intake is through dietary sources only. Lutein intake is becoming increasingly important ever since it was discovered that it is associated with prevention of irreversible age related eye disorders, reduced cancer risk, improved cardiovascular health and skin protection. Studies have clearly indicated that lutein supplementation improves eye function and slows progression of Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) which has been identified as the primary cause of blindness.

3. Who needs Lutein?
Lutein’s benefits have always been available to people with a naturally lutein-rich diet i.e. dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, beans, lettuce, greens, green peas and highly colored foods such as corn and eggs.

Others, with lutein-deficient diets, are susceptible to chronic health problems and require lutein supplementation.

4. What are the body functions that benefit by Lutein supplementation?
Lutein performs two main functions.
1) As an antioxidant it quenches free radicals and guards against irregular cell growth.
2) It filters highly damaging near-to-blue-ultra violet light from the visible light spectrum and thus protects the eye and     skin from harmful damage.

5. What are antioxidants and what do they do?
Lutein is a carotenoid, a powerful group of antioxidants. Antioxidants are a wonderful group of molecules that protect healthy cells from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable chemicals generated during metabolism (mainly as a result of exposure to environmental factors such as air pollution, cigarette smoke and dietary fats) and consist of molecules with an unpaired electron. Unstable, unpaired and reactive, these free radicals seek to pair up with another molecule but in the process, end up damaging the second molecule too. This 'chain reaction' mechanism may result in numerous degenerative diseases, including cancer. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals by donating an electron. They thus play an important role in maintaining the health and integrity of human cells.

6. How does Lutein protect the eye?
Lutein and zeaxanthin (an isomer of lutein that is always found with lutein), are the only carotenoids found in high concentrations within the macula lutea (the yellow spot in the retina). They appear to be there with a purpose since the eye is rich in fatty acids and is therefore, susceptible to attack and damage by free radicals. As anti-oxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eye by quenching free radicals.

Secondly, lutein and zeaxanthin filter and absorb 40-60% of near-ultraviolet-blue light, potentially the most damaging light that strikes the retina. Denser the macular pigment (consisting exclusively of lutein and zeaxanthin), the greater the protection to the eye.

However, since lutein in the macula diminishes with age, it needs to be replenished through dietary sources. Unlike skin cells, optic cells do not regenerate themselves and thus damage is irreversible. Poor macular health causes oxidative stress within the retina, leading to loss of central vision in AMD, cataract and glaucoma. Currently there are no treatments for these age related degenerative eye diseases. AMD is a chronic disease and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness for individuals over 65 years of age.

7. How does Lutein help in preventing cancer?
Lutein helps in preventing irregular cell growth in various tissues and on skin, breast, cervix and large intestine.

Free radicals consist of molecules with an unpaired electron. These free radicals seek to pair up with another molecule but in the process, end up damaging the second molecule too, setting off a 'chain reaction' mechanism that may result in numerous degenerative diseases, including cancer. Antioxidants such as lutein neutralise free radicals by donating an electron and thus plays an important role in maintaining the health and integrity of human cells.

Lutein intake shows an inverse co-relation with colon cancer, especially among those in whom cancer is diagnosed when young and among those with tumours located in proximal segment of the colon.

8. How does Lutein supplementation help in maintaining Cardio vascular health?
Lutein present in blood serum may favourably impact wall thickening, a component of atherosclerosis. At least one published study produced findings, which suggested that higher levels of lutein in the serum may be linked with less thickening of arterial walls (Dwyer, JH, M.Navab et al 2001). Lutein is found in HDL (good cholesterol) and may prevent LDL from oxidising due to its antioxidant effect.

9. How does Lutein supplementation help maintain Skin health?
Skin is the largest organ of the human body and is constantly assaulted by light and environmental pollutants. Lutein is present in the epidermis and dermis and its intake provides supplemental antioxidant capacity and blue-light absorption throughout the depth of the skin thereby preventing Ultra Violet Blue light induced skin lesions and skin cancer. Studies indicate that Lutein supplementation may inhibit DNA damage by UV-B radiation and diminish its inflammatory effects.

10. What are Lutein esters and what are their benefits?
Lutein supplements are available as lutein ester and purified crystalline lutein, both having the same effect once ingested i.e. the bio availability is the same (Herbst et al., 1997, Khachik et al, 1999). Lutein ester is hydrolysed by the digestive tract and converted into free lutein as it passes through the gut and then delivered to the blood flow and to different tissues where it is deposited, such as the macula.

Bio-availability of Lutein esters
 Studies have shown that free lutein from lutein diester formulation appeared more quickly and attained a higher peak   of concentration. The mean AUC (Areas under the serum lutein concentration X time curves from 0 to 408 h) of lutein   diester was 61.6% greater than that of unesterfied lutein formulation.
 Mean peak concentration for both lutein formulations was achieved at 32 h with considerable variation among   subjects. At this higher peak concentration, absorption of free lutein from the lutein diester formulation is two times   greater than that of unesterfied formulation.
In the paired baseline adjusted AUC comparison of the two lutein formulations for each individual, apparent absorption   of free lutein from the lutein diester formulation was greater in 60% of the subjects.

Density of macular pigment
In two papers that studied bioavailability of lutein ester (Landrum et al 1997 and Berenschot et al 2000), the levels of lutein in serum reached by lutein supplementation were studied, as well as how this lutein in serum was deposited in the macula. Landrum’s paper found a 50% increase in optical density. The two papers show that supplementation with Lutein Ester produced an increase in the density of the macular pigment in the retina, as well as increase in concentration of lutein in blood, a likely effect of the accompanying zeaxanthins which give the additional benefits (Berendschot, TTJM et al, 2000).

Carotenoid profile
Lutein ester extracted from marigold flowers contains 3-4% zeaxanthin esters, which add to the carotenoid profile of the natural lutein ester.

Lutein ester is natural
Lutein ester exists as lutein ester in marigold flowers.

11. What are the different extraction processes?
The difference among lutein extracts lies in the extraction process. The extraction process affects purity, integrity and concentration of the product. It is essential that this highly sensitive and easily degraded phyto-chemical is extracted in such a way that it remains intact and thereby at its highest level of bio-availability.

Typically lutein extraction processes are of two types - the SCFE -Carbon Dioxide (CO2) method (for lutein esters) and the Solvent Extraction method (used in manufacture of marigold oleoresin and lutein crystals).

Mechanism of SCFE
In Super Critical Fluid Extraction (SCFE) process, CO2, under supercritical condition of pressure and temperature, exclusively dissolves lutein ester that is available in marigold petals in fluid CO2. The dissolved lutein ester is then gently separated from fluid CO2, in its pure form, as it exists in marigold petals.

Pure, clear, safe, concentrated product as it was in nature.

Some major differences in the solvent extraction method and SCFE method are listed below.

SCFE process (C02)	Organic Solvent extraction method
The SCFE process is highly selective and extracts lutein diester only, with healthful zeaxanthin esters, as it exists in the flower. The extracts are concentrated and can be easily assimilated by the human body.	Organic solvents are not selective. The process contaminates pure lutein esters in the raw material with unwanted compounds, solvent, heavy metal  and other residues and then purifies it.
SCFE is a single step process where extraction and fractionation is simultaneous.	Requires secondary processing for purification from heavy metals, pesticide, solvent residue etc.
GRAS certified, CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable and is acceptable for usage in food and beverages. It is free of bacterial content and microbiological activities.	Organic solvents are highly toxic and hazardous beyond certain concentration levels.
SCFE process creates no environmental hazards Process is gentle on active ingredients since extraction is at high pressure and low temperature. The product is odor free, stable and has a long shelf life.	Processes involve separation, washings and prolonged heating. Damages active ingredients. Carry odor.
To gain various strengths of lutein ester, SCFE uses  fractionation process.	To obtain various strengths of lutein ester, external vegetable oil is needed to disburse the extract of desired strength.
Shorter and gentler extraction cycles.	Low solubility of raw material requires large quantity of solvents and prolonged periods of time for extraction.
SCF lutein ester has saturated fatty acid composition of 23%.	Conventional organic solvent has saturated fatty acid composition of 65%, which is very high.
Lutein diester extracts are stable and have long shelf life.	Lutein monoesters are less stable than lutein diester. Free lutein is most unstable and has short shelf life.

13. How is Nutriline Lutein Ester extracted?
Nutriline Lutein Ester is the product of a patented process (pending), developed after years of research, to extract pure concentrated lutein ester found in marigold flowers, the flower of Tagetes erecta (Compositae). The process keeps Nutriline Lutein Ester intact, as it exists in marigold, without unwanted compounds and at its highest level of bioavailability.