Journal of Functional Foods (Feb 2022)

Lutein and docosahexaenoic acid enriched egg consumption improves retina function in healthy Caucasian older adults

  • Chelsey Walchuk,
  • James D. House,
  • Michel Aliani,
  • Miyoung Suh

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 89
p. 104913

Abstract

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The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the consumption of lutein and DHA enriched eggs can improve visual function among older adults at risk of age-related eye disease. A total of 30 Caucasian older adults (64.0 ± 3.4 years) consumed enriched eggs (0.87 mg lutein/day, 220 mg DHA/day) daily for 6-weeks. Retina function was assessed by full-field electroretinogram along with plasma DHA, plasma lutein, lipid profiles, and lipoprotein subfractions at day 0 (PRE) and 6 weeks (POST). At POST, maximum amplitude of scotopic a-wave and photopic b-wave significantly increased (P < 0.001); and plasma DHA levels increased by 35.4% (P < 0.001). Plasma lipid parameters, lutein and LDL sub-fractions remained unchanged, with a significant increase in large HDL particles and a decrease in intermediate sized HDL particles. Overall, the consumption of two lutein and DHA enriched eggs daily improves electrophysiological retina function without adversely altering plasma lipids in Caucasian older adults.

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