The word lutein is derived from the Latin word luteus, which means yellow. Lutein is a Xanthophyll, which means it is a yellow pigment. It is also a carotenoid vitamin and is closely related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Some foods that are rich in lutein include broccoli, spinach, kiwifruit, grapes, oranges and corn. According to dietitians, the best way to naturally assimilate lutein is to take it with the help of high fat meal. Lutein is often associated with the eyes as its intake is important to prevent eye diseases. With advancement in medical sciences, use of lutein substitutes have increased, giving rise to a number of health concerns owing to ocuvite lutein side effects. Ocuvite lutein is basically an antioxidant multivitamin with minerals. These pills are prescribed by physicians and it is inadvisable to consume them without proper medical consultation.
Side Effects of Lutein
Medical practitioners often suggest that regular consumption of lutein by natural sources is always advisable instead of consuming any artificial pill or supplement. However, there are people who choose to have a daily intake of the artificially manufactured one.
An aging eyesight, in some cases, requires the support of lutein, and physicians have observed that the human body requires 6-10 mg of daily dosage. This intake is specifically tailored to ensure that the consumer does not suffer from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), cancer or retinal disorders. The major problem about lutein is that its negative consequences have never been documented or studied by major medical bodies. In addition to this, there are many factors that affect or contribute to the occurrence of side effects of lutein. For example weight of a patient, age, gender, status of eyesight, etc. If you look at the broader picture, lutein as a medicine that needs to be taken under the supervision of an ophthalmologist or a physician.
Pile-up of Supplement
The drawback is that our body tends to store all the artificial lutein. The human body does not manufacture or process its own lutein. The artificial one being the pure form, gets deposited onto the human skin, blood and within the eyes. In contrast to this phenomenon, a natural intake ensures that lutein is assimilated by the body in a controlled manner and is not piled up, unnecessarily. Apart from that, there is also a risk of over-dosage in a single go (single dose).
Generic But Serious Side Effects
The buildup of lutein causes 2 major negative effects on the human body. The first effect is more generic, as the patient might complain about breathing problems, irritating cough and cold and chest pain. If the deposition is quite intense then a person might also experience a dizzy feeling, irritation in eyes and skin. There are also cases where the intensity of deposition might reach the pinnacle and the person might experience itchy and swollen facial skin. Some people have also reported to have experienced blurred vision accompanied by a considerable itch in the eye. In some cases, people have also complained about heartburn and minor digestive problems due to over dosage of lutein.
Among all the side effects, carotenosis is the most significant and commonly observed one. In this condition, the excessive presence of carotene (yellow pigment) in blood is results into higher levels of serum carotenoids. In this condition, large quantities of serum carotenoids, are seen significantly in the skin which leads to an eventual discoloration of the skin, giving it a yellowish appearance. There is no specific medication or treatment for such a side effect and it eventually subsides within a time span of a few months.
It is always better to stick to the natural lutein-rich foods, as the natural intake is better assimilated and accepted by the human body. Physicians also recommend a controlled intake, as lutein supplement can be reactive to other substances and medications. Supervised intake of supplements and getting proper prescription supplements is thus a better way. Also, one should definitely avoid the intake of unnecessary supplements. Hence, it is best to consult a doctor than suffer from side effects.