title: Consumption of one egg per day increases serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in older adults without altering serum lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.
abstract: Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macular pigment of the retina, and are reported to be associated with a reduced incidence of age-related macular degeneration. A rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin in the American diet is the yolk of chicken eggs. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the effect of consuming 1 egg/d for 5 wk on the serum concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, lipids, and lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals >60 y of age. In a randomized cross-over design, 33 men and women participated in the 18-wk study, which included one run-in and one washout period of no eggs prior to and between two 5-wk interventions of either consuming 1 egg or egg substitute/d. Serum lutein 26% (P < 0.001) and zeaxanthin 38% (P < 0.001) concentrations increased after 5-wk of 1 egg/d compared with the phase prior to consuming eggs. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were not affected. These findings indicate that in older adults, 5 wk of consuming 1 egg/d significantly increases serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations without elevating serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Disease Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA 01854, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Goodrow
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Susan Crocker
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Houde
authors.forename: Rohini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vishwanathan
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Scollin
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Handelman
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000097:blood*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D002784:Cholesterol; D014975:Lutein