Lutein and docosahexaenoic acid enriched egg consumption improves retina function in healthy Caucasian older adults

Abstract

• A full-field electroretinogram was used to assess changes in retina function. • Lutein and DHA enriched eggs significantly increased plasma DHA concentrations. • Lutein and DHA enriched eggs improved rod and cone driven bipolar cell function. • Two eggs daily for six weeks did not adversely impact plasma blood lipid parameters. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the consumption of lutein and DHA enriched eggs can improve visual function among older adults at risk of age-related eye disease. A total of 30 Caucasian older adults (64.0 ± 3.4 years) consumed enriched eggs (0.87 mg lutein/day, 220 mg DHA/day) daily for 6-weeks. Retina function was assessed by full-field electroretinogram along with plasma DHA, plasma lutein, lipid profiles, and lipoprotein subfractions at day 0 (PRE) and 6 weeks (POST). At POST, maximum amplitude of scotopic a-wave and photopic b-wave significantly increased ( P < 0.001); and plasma DHA levels increased by 35.4% ( P < 0.001). Plasma lipid parameters, lutein and LDL sub-fractions remained unchanged, with a significant increase in large HDL particles and a decrease in intermediate sized HDL particles. Overall, the consumption of two lutein and DHA enriched eggs daily improves electrophysiological retina function without adversely altering plasma lipids in Caucasian older adults.