Assessment of lutein and zeaxanthin status and dietary markers as predictors of the contrast threshold in two age groups of men and women

Lutein and zeaxanthin (L+Z) status is associated with the macular pigment (MP). The relationship between MP and visual function is controversial. We hypothesized that, within the framework of nutrition, visual function was related to MP and nutritional and/or/ dietary factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study was performed in 108 volunteers divided into two age groups (20–35 y; 45–65 y), each 27 women and 27 men, to assess the relationship between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and contrast threshold (CT), considering the influence of L+Z and, fruit and vegetable (F+V) intake MPOD, L+Z in serum and dietary intake were determined using heterochromatic flicker photometry, HPLC and 3-day food records, respectively.
Source: Nutrition Research - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research