BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).

Subject: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 12:02 PM

Anyone have any knowledge of lutein tablets causing any side effects?

WebMD and some similar sites have no monograph available for any form of lutein.

The question arises from the fact that my 81 year old mother's legs have become swollen and sore and her knees have become weak, sore and red since shortly after she started taking one 10mg lutein tablet per day.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 12:34 PM

My wife, who has faith in these things, has been feeding them to me for a year or so. I have taken one 'approximately' 2/3 of days....and I 'see' NO effects, one way or the other.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: Bee
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 02:46 PM

I just Googled around some, gnu, and though there don't seem to be side effects at the suggested dosages, there also doesn't seem to be any legitimate study on whether lutein (a carotenoid) supplements are useful.

Apparently eggs are the best dietary source (most easily absorbed by the body), folloed by dark leafy greens like spinach and kale. Or you could just eat marigold flowers, as that seems to be a main source for the extract.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 03:33 PM

I'd have a physician see her. Such swelling ain't good.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: bobad
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 06:15 PM

It can be a sign of heart problems.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 07:27 PM

Thanks.

Certainly.

Just grasping at straws on her behalf. Ya gotta do it, right?

Well, if that's it on the lutein, have any of you got a cure for that fucking dog scross the street that barks from the time they put him out well before dawn until they take him in well after dark? Not really related but on my mind at the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 07:33 PM

My wife takes a product called OCCUVITE PRESERVISION made by Bocsh & Laumb. It is a vitamin supplement that has Lutien and Vitamin A made from Beta-Carotene. It is supposed to prevent macular degeneration. The doctor was very strict when he said that anyone who smokes now or who has been a smoker in the past should NOT take this product because it will definitely cause cancer. My wife has never smoked so she has nothing to worry about. She has been on it for 7 years now and has had no adverse effects.

                                                    SOL

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 07:43 PM

...or who was a "heavy" second hand smoker. Mum was for a long time. But, at 81, well... she would rather have cancer than blindness.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: Bee
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 10:38 PM

Does she even have an eye condition that lutein might help, gnu? And if she does have vision problems, has she been to an eye specialist?

My own Mom is 83, and has had cataracts removed, and had a double vitrectomy to get rid of blood in the eyeball (diabetic capillary breaks). She has some vision loss anyway, from diabetes related retinal scarring, but those procedures were a big help.

Subject: RE: BS: Lutein tablets question (for eyes).
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 06:35 AM

Wet macular degeneration (blood, simply put) in right eye. Cataracts coming in both. Yup been to specialist.