10 October 2014
A supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids seems to significantly improve the processing speed of visual signals, even in young, healthy people.
The randomized controlled trial investigated the potential relationship between increased intakes of zeaxanthin alone (20 mg/day), a combination of zeaxanthin (26 mg/day), lutein (8 mg/day) and mixed omega-3 fatty acids (190 mg/day) or placebo for four months with macular pigment density and visual motor reaction time in 92 young healthy participants (1). The study results showed that participants who received the supplements had significantly increased lutein and zeaxanthin (macular pigment) concentrations in the retina of the eye and an improved visual motor reaction time (about 10%) compared to placebo.
The researchers commented that lutein and zeaxanthin are major carotenoids in the eye but are also found in post-receptoral visual pathways. It has been hypothesized that these pigments influence the processing of visual signals within and post- retina. Increasing macular pigment density – as a biomarker of lutein and zeaxanthin levels in the brain – through supplementation seems to result in significant improvements in visual processing speed, even when testing young, healthy individuals who tend to be at peak efficiency. Visual processing speed is how fast one can look at and process information on a task that does not take any more thinking than noticing the differences or sameness in the objects shown.
6 July 2011
Women at high risk of developing melanoma who take supplements of vitamin D and calcium may be at a reduced risk of developing skin cancer, suggests new US study.
4 October 2013
New US research reports that only about 54% of US children under the age of five regularly consume fatty fish providing intakes of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid important for cognitive development.
1 April 2012
Chronic, low-grade, tissue inflammation is a significant risk factor in the development of a variety of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and auto-immune diseases. Moreover, many discomforts, such as chronic pain, memory problems, mood swings, and general muscle fatigue, can be connected in some way to an underlying inflammatory condition. An important development in nutritional science in recent years has been the discovery of anti-inflammatory properties of certain micronutrients and their potential to prevent or treat certain diseases or conditions.
