Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults

Stringham, Nicole T.; Holmes, Philip V.; Stringham, James M.

doi:10.1080/1028415x.2017.1286445

Cited by 23 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Additionally, the macula is the only tissue in the human body containing stores of Mz [25]. This stands in contrast to Z, which has been found throughout the body and has multiple functions, including photoprotective benefits within skin [26], aiding brain development in juveniles [27], maintaining cognitive function [14] and slowing memory decline [28] in adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Restoration of Central Macular Pigment Dip with Dietary RR Zeaxanthin Supplementation in Patients with AMD

Richer¹

2017

AOVS

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Objective: Low macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is a major risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This paper investigates the impact of 8 mg dietary RR zeaxanthin (Z) supplementation on MPOD distribution and the associated effect on macular scotomas in patients with a central foveal dip in their macular pigment spatial profile.Methods: This is a retrospective review of The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function RCT (FDA IND 78, 973) with respect to the relation between low levels of MPOD and increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We retrospectively examine the effect of daily supplementation of 8 mg of dietary Z on n=4 patients having a baseline central foveal dip in their MPOD distribution. The testing modalities used were a 7⁰ 3D specular reflectance and the associated kinetic 20° macular visual fields.Results: Over a 12-month period, all four patients showed a progressive increase in central peak restoration with related kinetic and/or Amsler grid visual field data. Conclusion:The initial results demonstrate marked improvement in macular pigment architecture and overall visual function after 12 months of Z supplementation. These results warrant a prospective clinical trial with a larger number of subjects to investigate the role of Z in central dip amelioration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Furthermore, macular carotenoid supplementation has been linked to improved cognitive function [13] and reduced cortisol levels. [14]. The ratios of L, Z, and Mz vary throughout the macula, though total MPOD peaks in the central [15], which reduces retinal inflammation and neovascularization within the photoreceptive/ RPE layers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration of Central Macular Pigment Dip with Dietary RR Zeaxanthin Supplementation in Patients with AMD

Richer¹

2017

AOVS

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“…While this appeared to be a novel finding at the time of the study, a recently published (2017) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated macular carotenoid (lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin) supplementation to coincide with decreased levels of psychological stress and improved emotional health, lending support to our foremost hypothesis during our study enrolment period. 28 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dermal Carotenoid Measurement is Inversely Related to Anxiety in Patients with Breast Cancer

LeCompte

Golod

et al. 2018

Journal of Investigative Medicine

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Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide. Increased oxidative stress and poor subjective health outcomes have been associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis, but few studies until now have explored the relationship between oxidative stress and chronic stress/anxiety. This study aims to examine the association between anxiety and a potential dermal correlate of oxidative stress in patients with breast cancer. 102 breast cancer patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at Highland Hospital, a county hospital in Oakland, California. Each participant’s skin carotenoid score (SCS), a potential dermal correlate of oxidative stress, was recorded via Raman spectroscopy. Patient demographics, breast cancer stage, and subjective health measures (anxiety and self-rated health) were ascertained. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to quantify any associations between SCS and the above health correlates. Higher levels of skin carotenoids were associated with decreased severity of anxiety, lower BMI, increased servings of vegetables/fruits in daily diet, Hispanic race, lower educational status, and nonsmoking status. Severity of anxiety as graded by the GAD-7 was inversely associated with dermal carotenoid measurements via SCS. Conclusions. Increased levels of oxidative stress as quantified by SCS is associated with greater severity of anxiety. Because chronic stress has been associated with tumor progression, increased recurrence rates, and increased metastatic risk in breast cancer, non-invasive dermal carotenoid measurements could be used as a novel objective correlate of subjective health during cancer treatment.

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“…It could be, therefore, that systemic reduction of oxidation and inflammation ultimately manifests as better overall sleep quality. Additionally, a recent report suggests that supplementation with MCs for six months significantly reduced psychological stress and serum cortisol [ 44 ]. Because psychological stress is often noted as a significant factor for insomnia [ 45 ], its reduction may account for the beneficial effect on sleep quality seen in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macular Carotenoid Supplementation Improves Visual Performance, Sleep Quality, and Adverse Physical Symptoms in Those with High Screen Time Exposure

Stringham

O’Brien

2017

Foods

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The dramatic rise in the use of smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers over the past decade has raised concerns about potentially deleterious health effects of increased “screen time” (ST) and associated short-wavelength (blue) light exposure. We determined baseline associations and effects of 6 months’ supplementation with the macular carotenoids (MC) lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin on the blue-absorbing macular pigment (MP) and measures of sleep quality, visual performance, and physical indicators of excessive ST. Forty-eight healthy young adults with at least 6 h of daily near-field ST exposure participated in this placebo-controlled trial. Visual performance measures included contrast sensitivity, critical flicker fusion, disability glare, and photostress recovery. Physical indicators of excessive screen time and sleep quality were assessed via questionnaire. MP optical density (MPOD) was assessed via heterochromatic flicker photometry. At baseline, MPOD was correlated significantly with all visual performance measures (p < 0.05 for all). MC supplementation (24 mg daily) yielded significant improvement in MPOD, overall sleep quality, headache frequency, eye strain, eye fatigue, and all visual performance measures, versus placebo (p < 0.05 for all). Increased MPOD significantly improves visual performance and, in turn, improves several undesirable physical outcomes associated with excessive ST. The improvement in sleep quality was not directly related to increases in MPOD, and may be due to systemic reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation.

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Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults

Abstract: Supplementation with the MCs significantly reduces stress, cortisol, and symptoms of sub-optimal emotional and physical health. Determining the basis for these effects, whether systemic or a more central (i.e. brain) is a question that warrants further study.

Cited by 23 publications

References 47 publications

Restoration of Central Macular Pigment Dip with Dietary RR Zeaxanthin Supplementation in Patients with AMD

Restoration of Central Macular Pigment Dip with Dietary RR Zeaxanthin Supplementation in Patients with AMD

Dermal Carotenoid Measurement is Inversely Related to Anxiety in Patients with Breast Cancer

Macular Carotenoid Supplementation Improves Visual Performance, Sleep Quality, and Adverse Physical Symptoms in Those with High Screen Time Exposure

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