Lutein Supports Cardiovascular Health

According to a recently published study, the carotenoid lutein may play a role in cardiovascular health. Lutein is a xanthophyll synthesized by plants with significant antioxidant activity.

The subjects included 125 individuals with suboptimal cardiovascular health and 107 healthy individuals to serve as the control group. The subjects were between 45 and 68 years of age. In this study, serum carotenoids were measured and the subjects were evaluated using carotid ultrasound to measure the flexibility of the carotid artery and carotid artery intima media thickness, which is an evaluation of the thickness of the vessel wall and is related to vascular health.

The study found that the individuals with suboptimal cardiovascular health had lower serum lutein compared to the control group. Additionally, the study showed an inverse association between lutein and carotid artery thickness, meaning that serum lutein increased as the thickness of the carotid artery decreased. Furthermore, lower levels of the carotenoids zeaxanthin and beta-carotene were associated with less flexibility in the right common carotid artery and reduced vessel elasticity.

The researchers concluded that lutein may play a beneficial role in supporting optimal cardiovascular health.

Reference:

Zou Z, Xu X, Huang Y, Xiao X, Ma L, Sun T, Dong P, Wang X, Lin X. High serum level of lutein may be protective against early atherosclerosis: The Beijing atherosclerosis study. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Aug 10. Published Online Ahead of Print.