Luteolin Side Effects

Luteolin side effects are generally rare, and it's not well understood why some people might not tolerate it as well as others. The most commonly reported side effects of taking luteolin supplements include mild stomach upset, headaches, irritability, fatigue, and allergic skin reactions.

That said, the naturally occurring flavonoid supplement is considered safe for most healthy people and is used for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties if you stick within a reasonable dosage range (50 mg to 400 mg per day) [1,2].

Side Effects of Luteolin Supplements

The good news is that most people don't experience adverse effects with luteolin supplements. However, there are some signs you should be aware of:

• Mild stomach upset: This can include nausea, bloating, or general stomach discomfort.

• Allergic reactions: Some people can be allergic to luteolin, resulting in skin rashes and itching.

• Headaches: Some users have reported mild headaches, which could be linked to individual sensitivity.

• Irritability: We've come across some personal accounts shared on forums reporting temporarily increased irritability (but we couldn't find a scientific reason for this).

• Fatigue: A few users have noted feelings of tiredness after taking luteolin.

We want to emphasize that these side effects are uncommon and typically mild. If you think you're experiencing these side effects from your luteolin supplements, you can scale back your doses. And if that doesn't seem to be helping, you should look to other health supplements to complement your routine.

Is Luteolin Toxic?

Luteolin is non-toxic and safe at recommended dosages. 

Some lab studies show that luteolin could affect specific liver enzymes, which help the body process toxins [6]. This could cause harmful effects in rare cases, but it's only been seen in lab experiments (with extremely high doses of luteolin) and not from regular supplement use.

What Have People Experienced with Luteolin?

Most people have a positive experience with luteolin supplements and commonly report improved focus and discomfort support.

One Reddit user shared that luteolin taken in 500 mg doses helped with their brain fog and chronic fatigue. 

There's also research that supports luteolin's potential for neuroprotection [3].

In this specific scientific journal, researchers looked at luteolin's health benefits towards supporting brain food in conditions like autism, celiac disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, early Alzheimer's, and kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They found that luteolin had helped with improved focus and decreased brain fog, which means luteolin is being further investigated in these specific use cases [3].

Another Reddit user reported that luteolin helped with seasonal allergies — and there's also some research to support this in mice. Researchers found that mice with allergies treated with luteolin had fewer allergic symptoms (less mucus and reduced inflammation in their noses) compared to untreated mice [4].

We're still not sure how effective luteolin supplements are for allergy symptoms in humans, but it seems as though some people find it helpful.

We found some commentators sharing how luteolin supplements caused a bit of stomach discomfort initially, but it went away after reducing the dose. This shows that more isn't necessarily always better, and it's best to stick to the recommended doses by the manufacturer or slightly reduce it until your body adjusts to it.

Addressing Unverified Claims: Luteolin and Irritability in Children with ASD

We came across a claim on a popular blog post circulating about luteolin causing increased irritability in 50% of children with autism spectrum disorders. However, when we dove deeper into where this could have come from, we couldn't find any scientific backing for this. We're assuming that this came from anecdotal or speculative sources.

Instead, we found a study suggesting that when kids with autism took a special luteolin supplement for 12 weeks, inflammation markers in their brains were reduced, which correlated with improved behavior, implying that some kids with ASD could benefit from luteolin supplements [5].

Should I Take Luteolin Supplements?

Luteolin supplements are a great way to consistently get more of this beneficial flavonoid in foods like celery and parsley to support specific wellness goals. They're not drugs that can promise to cure or treat any health conditions, but they're meant to help fill gaps in your diet, so set realistic expectations.

Most people tolerate luteolin well, and it's reasonably safe as long as you're not overdoing it.

If you have a health condition, we recommend you speak with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance on dosing and to make sure it won't negatively interact with other medications you're taking. Overall, it could be a good supplement to take if you're looking to boost your antioxidant intake to support things like brain health and your immune system.

Resources:

1. Li, R., Zhou, Y., Zhang, S., Li, J., Zheng, Y., & Fan, X. (2022). The natural (poly) phenols as modulators of microglia polarization via TLR4/NF-κB pathway exert anti-inflammatory activity in ischemic stroke. European journal of pharmacology, 914, 174660.

2. Ntalouka, F., & Tsirivakou, A. (2023). Luteolin: A promising natural agent in management of pain in chronic conditions. Frontiers in Pain Research, 4, 1114428.

3. Theoharides, T. C., Stewart, J. M., Hatziagelaki, E., & Kolaitis, G. (2015). Brain “fog,” inflammation and obesity: key aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders improved by luteolin. Frontiers in neuroscience, 9, 225.

4. Liang, K. L., Yu, S. J., Huang, W. C., & Yen, H. R. (2020). Luteolin attenuates allergic nasal inflammation via inhibition of interleukin-4 in an allergic rhinitis mouse model and peripheral blood from human subjects with allergic rhinitis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 291.

5. Tsilioni, I., Taliou, A., Francis, K., & Theoharides, T. C. (2015). Children with autism spectrum disorders, who improved with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation, show reduced serum levels of TNF and IL-6. Translational psychiatry, 5(9), e647-e647.

6. Orji, C. E., Okpoko, C. K., Agbata, C. A., Okoyeh, J., Okeke, A., & Ihekwereme, C. (2020). Evaluation of the effect of luteolin on the hepatic and hematopoietic systems in albino rats. Journal of Clinical Toxicology, 10(1000434), 2-6.