What is the Difference Between Lutein and Luteolin

The key difference between lutein and luteolin is that lutein is a type of naturally occurring plant pigment important in eye protection, while luteolin is a plant flavonoid used in traditional medicine.

Lutein and luteolin are two different naturally occurring colored compounds. Both are derived from plants. Moreover, they have very important medical properties. These compounds are yellow in color. Lutein is important for maintaining healthy vision and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration. On the other hand, luteolin is a flavonoid that is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lutein 
3. What is Luteolin
4. Similarities – Lutein and Luteolin
5. Lutein vs. Luteolin in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Lutein and Luteolin
7. Summary – Lutein vs. Luteolin

What is Lutein?

Lutein is an organic pigment usually known as carotenoids. It is also very similar to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Therefore, lutein is also known as an eye vitamin. Lutein is derived from plants. Moreover, foods like egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange bell pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, zucchini, and squash are naturally rich in lutein. Lutein has numerous health benefits, making it a valuable food supplement.

Lutein is one of the major carotenoids found in the human eye, especially in the macula and retina. Lutein functions as a light filter, thus protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage. Furthermore, lutein can be used to cure eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration or AMD. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these uses.

What is Luteolin?

Luteolin is a type of flavonoid that has a yellow crystalline appearance. Luteolin is mainly found in the leaves of plants. But it is also found in rinds, barks, clover blossoms, and ragweed pollen. Sometimes, luteolin can be also present in aromatic flowering plants such as Salvia tomentosa. When it comes to dietary sources, luteolin is present in celery, broccoli, artichoke, green paper, parsley, thyme, dandelion, perilla, chamomile tea, carrots, olive oil, rosemary, navel oranges, and oregano.

Luteolin has been used as a source of dye since ancient times, and it was first isolated in pure form in 1829 by the French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul. Furthermore, plants rich in luteolin have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for treating hypertension, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. In addition, luteolin protects plants from microbes and other threats.

What are the Similarities Between Lutein and Luteolin?

• Lutein and luteolin are two different naturally occurring colored compounds.
• Both are derived from plants.
• Both are yellow in color.
• They have different health benefits and medicinal properties.

What is the Difference Between Lutein and Luteolin?

Lutein is a type of naturally occurring organic plant pigment that is important in eye protection, while luteolin is a plant flavonoid used in traditional medicine. Thus, this is the key difference between lutein and luteolin. Furthermore, the lutein molecular formula is C₄₀H₅₆O₂, while the luteolin molecular formula is C₁₅H₁₀O₆.

The infographic below presents the differences between lutein and luteolin in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Lutein and Luteolin

Is lutein good for your eyes?

Lutein is shown to be beneficial for eye health since it has strong antioxidant properties.

What is luteolin used for?

Luteolin is used for treating various diseases, such as hypertension, inflammatory disorders, and cancer.

What is lutein also known as?

Lutein is also known as “the eye vitamin” since it has beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Summary – Lutein vs. Luteolin

Lutein and luteolin are both plant compounds. Though they sound similar, they actually refer to two distinct plant compounds. Lutein is a carotenoid that is important for maintaining healthy vision and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, whereas luteolin is a flavonoid that is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So, this summarizes the difference between lutein and luteolin.

Reference:

1. “Lutein: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD.
2. “Luteolin – An Overview.” ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Lutein molecule ball” By Jynto (talk) – Created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Luteolin molecule ball” By Jynto (talk) – Created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia