Supporting Maternal Health with Lutein: Essential Nutrients for Moms and Babies

Introduction

The journey of motherhood is an extraordinary experience filled with emotions, joy, challenges, and immense responsibility. Ensuring a rich nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding is crucial, not only to support this very demanding time for the mother but also to build the best possible foundations for the developing baby.

At Kemin, we understand the power of nutrition and concerns of parents to support their kids in the muddy road ahead. This blog delves into the role of lutein in supporting wellness, highlighting its benefits for moms and children, and showcasing why Kemin’s Nutritional Carotenoids, particularly FloraGLO Lutein, are the trusted choice for nutraceutical manufacturers worldwide.

Why Lutein Matters: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Lutein and its companion carotenoid, zeaxanthin, are naturally abundant in foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, and corn.^1-4 Since our bodies can’t produce these molecules, we completely rely on diet to source them at every stage of our life.^5-6 Unfortunately, adults and children are far away from a good diet quality – with fruits and vegetables showing a considerable gap versus global recommendations. This creates a series of nutritional gaps including of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Lutein and zeaxanthin naturally concentrate in the right places in our bodies, accumulating in the neural tissues of the eyes and brain. Lutein, in particular, is the predominant carotenoid in the brain. These powerful molecules play crucial roles in sensitive, highly metabolically active areas, highlighting their potential to become a key part of future dietary recommendations.⁵²

Lutein in Maternal Health

During pregnancy, mothers navigate numerous challenges, from maintaining skin elasticity and radiance to supporting brain function, focus, and concentration—all while prioritizing the health and well-being of their baby. Lutein has the unmatchable capacity accumulate in the eye, brain and skin supporting a glowing skin, healthy vision and sharp cognition for the mothers during this life heath stage.⁵²

The Role of Breast Milk

Breastfeeding is good for the mother and the baby. It is the best source of nutrition for most babies, and it provides the energy, nutrients and other important bioactive compounds that the infant needs for the first months of life.  Within this selection of essentials to the baby there is lutein. Studies have shown that breastfed infants have significantly higher serum levels of lutein compared to those fed with formula (normally not containing lutein and zeaxanthin), highlighting not only the importance of maternal nutrition in early development but also the nutritional gap in lutein and zeaxanthin in infant formulas in many geographies.^20-21 Including lutein-rich foods or supplements into the mother and infant diets can positively influence their health, during this so critical period. 

Supporting Visual and Cognitive Development

Lutein is naturally at the right place- As early as the second trimester of pregnancy, lutein starts to accumulate in the baby’s eye. By the third trimester of pregnancy, lutein levels peak and then lutein is actively secreted in breast milk where represent the most abundant carotenoid. This coincides with two very critical period for the eye and brain development suggesting its important biological  role in visual and cognitive functions .^{12 -14,51} In fact, the first National Institutes of Health funded study on lutein (FloraGLO®) and zeaxanthin (Optisharp® Natural) during pregnancy has shown that infants from supplemented mothers have improved foveal maturity – a marker of ocular development and function and a long-term influencer on cognitive development.⁵⁰ 

FloraGLO® Lutein: The Gold Standard

FloraGLO® Lutein, is a trusted and safe ingredient for maternal and infant health. With nearly 20 peer-reviewed publications on moms and babies it has set the standards of quality and innovation:

• Trusted Source - Featured in the first NIH-funded study⁵³ on lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation during pregnancy
• Natural Nourishment - Proven effective and bioavailable for boosting maternal and infant carotenoid levels⁵⁴
• Crucial Protection - Acts as an antioxidant and light filter, protecting developing neural tissues from stressors⁵⁴
• Healthy Development - Essential for healthy ocular development and function⁵⁴

Why Nutraceutical Manufacturers Choose Kemin

Kemin is committed to advancing early life nutrition and paves the way for future recommendations on including these vital nutrients in prenatal and infant products

• Paving the Future of Prenatal and Infant Products
• Committed to Advancing Early Life Nutrition
• Leading Nutritional Carotenoids Innovators
• Expanding the Boundaries of Lutein Research
• Trusted for Moms & Babies
• Dedicated to Superior Quality Products & Services
• Unwavering Transparency and Traceability

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OPTISHARP™ Natural is a Registered Trademark of DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.

OPTISHARP™ Natural is made with ZeaOne(R) from KEMIN. ZeaOne is a [registered] trademark of KEMIN Industries, Inc. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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References available upon request. (Kemin PTP-15782)