Why Is Lutein Important During Breastfeeding?

Understanding Lutein Role in Early Infant Development

The first 1,000 days of life - from conception through a baby's second birthday—are recognized as a unique window of rapid growth when nutrition plays a pivotal role and the foundations for lifelong health are established¹.

Maternal nutrition plays a crucial role because the developing baby depends almost entirely on the mother for nutrients needed to support this growth. One of the pillars for health promotion in the first 1,000 days is represented by exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, as recommended by WHO and UNICEF ². 

Breastfeeding provides much more than nourishment — it delivers a unique combination of nutrients and bioactive compounds that help support an infant's growth and development during the earliest stages of life.

Traditionally, maternal nutrition has focused on essential macro- and micronutrients More recently, researchers have begun investigating the role of dietary bioactives, naturally occurring compounds found in foods that may help promote optimal development beyond the prevention of nutrient deficiencies.

Among these bioactives, lutein has emerged as a nutrient of growing scientific interest.

Research shows that lutein begins accumulating in the developing infant during pregnancy and continues to be supplied after birth through breast milk. As scientists learn more about the importance of early-life nutrition, understanding the relationship between breastfeeding and lutein may help healthcare professionals, parents, and product developers make informed decisions about maternal and infant nutrition.

How Is Lutein Transferred from Mother to Baby?

Lutein is a dietary carotenoid naturally found in green leafy vegetables, corn, eggs and other plant foods often together with its isomer zeaxanthin. Unlike some nutrients, the body cannot produce lutein on its own and must obtain it through diet or supplementation ^3,4,5,.

The maternal body is remarkably efficient at prioritizing nutrients needed for infant growth and development and lutein is not an exception. The transfer begins during pregnancy, when lutein circulates in maternal blood and crosses the placenta to reach the developing fetus. Lutein levels naturally increase to support both maternal needs and fetal development ^5,9.

After delivery, this nutritional connection continues through breastfeeding. The colostrum, the first mother’s milk, is rich in carotenoids which provide its characteristic yellow color. Lutein has been found in breast milk throughout the nursing period being actively transported into breast milk. Importantly, due to unique milk-fat globule structures and natural enzymes breast milk provides highly bioavailable lutein⁷.

This transfer is particularly important because infants have limited dietary sources of lutein during the first months of life making breast milk a primary source of this carotenoid. As lutein concentrations in maternal plasma and breast milk reflect maternal intake,11 the mother's diet plays a crucial role in determining the amount of lutein delivered to the developing infant.

Unfortunately, dietary intake surveys indicate that lutein consumption among women of childbearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, is often well below levels associated with diets rich in fruits and vegetables. For which geography, e.g., Typical intakes among Amercians are commonly reported at ~1-2 mg/day^5,6,7,8.

Why Does Breast Milk Contain Lutein?

The first 1,000 days of life are a particularly important period for eye and brain development. The visual system begins forming early in pregnancy and continues to mature throughout infancy and childhood, while the human brain undergoes rapid growth beginning in mid-pregnancy and extending through the first years after birth.

The development of both visual and cognitive systems is fundamental to help babies interact with the world around them, and to support lifelong learning and function.

Research has shown that lutein is selectively accumulated in two of the body's most metabolically active tissues: the eye and the brain. In fact, lutein is the predominant carotenoid found in the infant and adult brain and whole infant and adult retina⁵.

Researchers believe lutein presence in breast milk and in developing neural tissues reflects an important biological role during periods of rapid neurological and visual development.

Research has demonstrated beneficial associations between maternal lutein intake during pregnancy or breast feeding and better visual and cognitive performance in the infant.

Maternal lutein supplementation during pregnancy has been show to improve carotenoid levels in plasma, the retina and the skin in the mother and the newborn and provide initial indications of better ocular baby development, including foveal maturity ^3,4.

Furthermore, lactating women receiving lutein experienced substantial increases in serum and breast milk lutein concentrations, accompanied by significant increases in infant plasma lutein levels, confirming that maternal intake directly influences infant exposure during breastfeeding¹⁰.

Breastfeeding plays an essential role in delivering nutrients that support an infant's growth, including lutein. From its transfer during pregnancy to its continued presence in breast milk, lutein is uniquely positioned to support periods of rapid eye and brain development.

As scientific understanding of early-life nutrition evolves, growing evidence continues to highlight the importance of lutein in maternal and infant health.

The importance of establishing adequate lutein status early in life is further supported by compelling evidence linking higher lutein intake through diet or supplementation with visual and cognitive function across the lifespan, suggesting that providing this carotenoid during the first 1,000 days may help provide essential building blocks for future development and lifelong health.

For manufacturers developing prenatal, postnatal, and infant nutrition solutions, these findings present new opportunities to address nutritional gaps and support the wellness of both mothers and babies.

Explore the Science Behind Flora GLO® Lutein in Early Life Nutrition

Scientific research continues to reveal the important role lutein plays during pregnancy, breastfeeding and infant development. Explore the latest evidence and learn why this carotenoid is receiving growing attention from researchers and product developers worldwide.

Subscribe to our Blog

References

1.      Beluska-Turkan K, et al. Nutritional Gaps and Supplementation in the First 1000 Days. Nutrients. 2019,11(12):2891

2.      Indrio F, et al. The Key 1000 Life-Changing Days. Global Pediatrics. 2023 ; 4:100049.

3.      Addo Emmanuel K, et al. Systemic Effects of Prenatal Carotenoid Supplementation in the Mother and Her Child: The Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) Randomized Trial–Report Number 1. J Nutr. 2023; 153(8):2205. doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024

4.      Addo Emmanuel K, et al. Ocular Effects of Prenatal Carotenoid Supplementation in the Mother and Her Child: The Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) Randomized Trial–Report Number 2. Ophthalmol Sci. 2024; 4(5):100537. doi:10.1016/j.xops.2024.100537.

5.     Gazzolo D, et al. Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview. Nutrients 2021 Sep, 13(9), 3239.doi:10.3390/nu13093239;

6.     Kruger, C.L. et al. Food Chem. Toxicol. 2002, 40, 1535–1549.

7.     Cena, H. et al., Eur. J. Nutr. 2008, 47, 1–9. ; 6. Cena, H. et al., Public Health Nutr. 2009, 12, 1878–1884

8.     Johnson, E.J. et al J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 2010, 110, 1357–1362; 4. Thoene, M. et al. Nutrients 2019, 11, 134

9.     Oostenbrug G. S., et al. Maternal and neonatal plasma antioxidant levels in normal pregnancy, and the relationship with fatty acid unsaturation. Br J Nutr. 1998 ;80(1):67. doi: 10.1017/s0007114598001780.

10.  Sherry C.L., et al. Lutein supplementation increases breast milk and plasma lutein concentrations in lactating women and infant plasma concentrations but does not affect other carotenoids. J Nutr. 2014 ;144(8):1256. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.192914.

11.  Cena, H. et al., Lutein concentration in human milk during early lactation and its relationship with dietary lutein intake. Public Health Nutr. 2009, 12(10), 1878. doi:10.1017/S1368980009004807