Plasma Lutein, a Nutritional Biomarker for Development of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study.

Lutein and zeaxanthin may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin with the incidence of advanced AMD in the Alienor study (Antioxydants Lipides Essentiels Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires). Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort of 963 residents of Bordeaux, France, who were 73 years or older at baseline (2006-2008).

Plasma Carotenoids Are Inversely Associated With Dementia Risk in an Elderly French Cohort.

Background: Although intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a decreased risk of dementia, studies focusing on nutrients underlying this association are lacking. Our objective was to analyze the relation between plasma carotenoids and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in French elderly community dwellers.

Methods: The study population consisted of 1,092 nondemented older participants, from the Three-City-Bordeaux cohort followed for up to 10 years (range: 1.

Macular pigment carotenoids in the retina and occipital cortex are related in humans.

Objectives: Lutein and zeaxanthin are dietary carotenoids that preferentially accumulate in the macular region of the retina. Together with meso-zeaxanthin, a conversion product of lutein in the macula, they form the macular pigment. Lutein is also the predominant carotenoid in human brain tissue and lutein status is associated with cognitive function in adults.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and chromatic contrast.

Purpose: Past studies have shown that higher macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) supplementation are related to improvements in glare disability, photostress recovery, and chromatic contrast. This study assessed those links using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.

Methods: The visual effects of 1 year of supplementing L (10 mg/d) and Z (2 mg/d) were investigated.

Macular pigment optical density is related to cognitive function in older people.

Background: the xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) exist in relatively high concentration in multiple central nervous tissues (e.g. cortex and neural retina).