Three Times the Lutein Absorbed with Eggs

Food Ingredient News, September, 2004

A study, conducted at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research on Aging (Tufts University, Carotenoids and Health Laboratory, Health Sciences Campus, 145 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111; Tel: 617/636-7000), finds that the lutein found in eggs is absorbed three times as quickly into the bloodstream than from other dietary sources. Lutein is an antioxidant that has benefits for eye, skin and cardiovascular health. It is found in dark green leafy vegetables, fruit, corn and egg yolks.

In the August issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Elizabeth J. Johnson, lead nutritional biochemist, writes, "Our studies involving a chronic, oral dose of lutein (6 mg/day for nine days) found that increases in serum concentrations of lutein were greatest for the lutein dose contained...