#1

Here is an old video, but very good, referencing several studies. It does touch upon lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health (macular degeneration), but in the context of brain health, the impact of penetration to the brain tissue and the impact on brain health and cognitive performance (there’s a section on pediatric impact which can be ignored). In adults and the elderly, lutein appears particularly consequential, especially when combined with DHA, there appears to be a strong cognitive signal.

I also appreciated the mention of lutein interaction with lipids and transporters in the serum - here not surprisingly, it is the HDL that is the active transporter. Why does it matter? Because it means if you take statins, you should be OK, as statins lower LDL, but spare HDL, so that’s one worry less vs the common statin/dementia fear, the lutein in the brain will be fine and not impaired by a statin.

I already supplement with lutein, but was always paranoid for my supplement to include enough zeaxanthin. However, I’m slightly less paranoid now, as it appears that it is the lutein that is the star.

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#2

Great video, any idea what machine she is talking about that just looks into your eye and can tell you your lutein status?

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#3

Here you go:

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#4

I am afraid that the more supplements we look into the more we need. At the end we should try to consume natural food as much as we can.

#5

That’s pretty much what this study says to do:

I read a bunch about the goji and apparently there is a lectin that tends ot open up the tight junctions in your gut in the berries. This makes it easier for the lutein and zeaxanthin to get through. So the berries work better. This is my interpretation, didn’t read it and can’t blame it on somebody else. I’ve been taking twice as much every other day with berries. I’d like my MPOD tested now, called today and didn’t get the call back.

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#6

Yes, but as the video says, the real question about lutein is how exactly does it get into the brain, because while a better score for the eyes is great, we are also very interested in the effect on the brain. She said the assumption is that greater deposits in the macula also implies greater infiltration into the brain, but the exact mechanism is unknown. We do know that in those studies they simply used supplements, and those apparently work, which is good enough for me.

The goji berries are interesting, but I’m very wary of anything that comes from China - I posted a recent article detailing appalling practices of farmers using industrial chemicals and soaking the goji berries in a toxic brew. This might be a new development wrt. the goji berries, but I avoid all food/supplement/spice from China to the greatest degree possible; I don’t feel like investigating where each vendor sources their berries.

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#7

Yeah I planted a couple but no fruit yet.

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#8

Found somebody in Omaha that will test MPOD for $25. 2 hour drive down there, but I’m going to give it a try.

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#9

Excellent video on the combination of Lutein, Zeaxanthin and DHA.

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#10

This is a really good video focusing on the macula to brain connection mediated by carotenoids. Here the researcher highlights why you absolutely need meso-zeaxanthin in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin and the common supplements lack it. Skip the first 10 minutes or so of the intro waffling:

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#11

And here is an interesting presentation focusing on the macula in the context of AMD, a leading cause of blindness with age. There is quite an interesting discussion of AREDS1 and AREDS2, with lutein and zeaxanthin. The most fascinating part is where this scientist discusses the exact interaction of this supplement with diet, and the timing of the intervention, when is the supplement dominant, where the diet and how they can be complementary. I was also shocked to learn that sleep apnea was a risk factor for AMD, I never saw that mentioned anywhere else.

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#12

I take a big handful of raw kale every morning and shove it in my face to get the lutein and zeathanxin

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#13

If your aim is lutein and zeaxanthin, then you might consider taking that kale with a bit of fat, to absorb.

#14

Oh yes of course. I have the kale with my breakfast.

#15

Finally got my MPOD tested. I think I did it wrong. It was a strange test, more like a video game and I didn’t know what I was doing. The nurse didn’t explain it very well and I wasn’t hitting the trigger as fast as I could, so the result was very disappointing. She said when it shimmers, hit the trigger. She didn’t say to do it as fast as I could. I waited till it was shimmering pretty well. It said I’m going blind even though I can see pretty well.

Maybe my brain is degrading, it doesn’t work as well as it used to. I really wish I had another shot at the test. What a waste of a day.

#16

Repeat the test. Remember, lutein helps the brain, it’s not all about the macula.

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#17

Lutein Has a Positive Impact on Brain Health in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Cohort Studies

“This novel systematic review investigated the effects of lutein on the brain. From three RCT studies and four cross-sectional studies, we found that lutein has beneficial effects on brain function and brain structure in older adults. In addition, 12 months of 10-mg lutein intake selectively affected brain activity and the total gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex of older adults. In conclusion, this systematic review indicated that lutein has a positive impact on brain health in healthy older adults.”

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