Study finds Lutein most beneficial in combined oral and topical application

The randomised study, conducted by the University of Naples, Italy, claims that Floraglo Lutein increases photoprotective activity, hydration, elasticity and lipid levels of the skin.

Based on results, it seems that the FloraGlo Lutein, manufactured by Kemin Health, is most beneficial to the skin when applied in both oral and topical form.

Conducted on 120 women between 25 and 50 years old over a period of 12 weeks, the study found that the skin's photoprotective activity multiplied by 2.5 per cent when used in oral application and by 4.2 per cent when both the oral and topical applications were combined.

Sorted into 12 groups of ten, the results reflected four of the group's findings on different combinations of the Lutein in a topical and oral formulations at different percentage levels.

In conclusion it was discovered that the skin's elasticity was increased by 68 per cent with a combination of oral and topical application of lutein at a 10mg level, in comparison with the skin's original value.

With a standard oral application the increase is lower at 56 per cent.

Skin hydration was up 82 per cent with topical and oral application as opposed to just 60 per cent for oral application only and 62 per cent for topical application.

Likewise, a decrease of 65 per cent was reported of lipid peroxidation in the skin when volunteers used FloraGLO in both oral and topical applications as opposed to just 63 per cent when used only in topical applications.

The study results come at a time when awareness for Lutein is growing in Europe.

In a recent study 3,000 consumers aged between 20 and 65 years were questioned across Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and the UK (500 in each country) about their awareness of the antioxidant.

It found that awareness of lutein has never been so high in Europe: in Portugal it had doubled compared to last year, to 39 per cent, and surpassed the previous leaders, Germany, in the process.

Germans again showed a great awareness, with 37 per cent of respondents aware of lutein, up from 33.3 per cent last year.

Similar increases were observed in the UK (up to 27 per cent from 20 per cent in 2006), and Spain (up to 13 per cent from 9.8 per cent last year).

As to the reasons behind the overall increase in awareness, Kemin Health is claiming the credit.

It has been a major force in building the category, and does a lot of co-marketing with its customers and partners, including the sponsorship of congresses and round tables.

"The majority of consumers, 46 per cent, state they have heard of lutein through press articles," said Kemin Health.

"Pharmacies, a target of extensive education efforts by Kemin Health and many of its partners through out European, are identified by 38 per cent of consumers as a place where they have heard of lutein," added the company.