Feed Your Eyes

Recent studies have identified the importance of lutein – a carotenoid, in maintaining eye health as we age.   Vallikannan Baskaran, from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (India), and colleagues studied the role of dietary fats to promote the bioavailability of lutein.  Employing a lab animal model, the team tested olive, coconut, soybean, sunflower, rice bran, corn, groundnut, and fish oils, fed in conjunction with lutein (200 microMoles).  After 15 days, plasma lutein levels were found to be highest in olive oil (82%) and coconut oil (68%).  Importantly, the study authors report that: “lutein accumulation in the liver and the eye was highest in the [olive oil] (120% and 117%) and [coconut oil] (105% and 109%) fed groups, compared to control.”