Plasma lutein concentrations are related to dietary intake, but unrelated to dietary saturated fat or cognition in young children

Abstract

Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids present in highly pigmented vegetables and fruits. Lutein is selectively accumulated in the brain relative to other carotenoids. Recent evidence has linked lutein to cognition in older adults, but little is known about lutein in young children, despite structural brain development. We determined lutein intake using FFQ, one 24 h recall and three 24 h recalls, plasma lutein concentrations and their association with cognition in 160 children 5·6–5·9 years of age, at low risk for neurodevelopmental delay. Plasma lutein was skewed, with a median of 0·23 (2·5th to 95th percentile range 0·11–0·53) µmol/l. Plasma lutein showed a higher correlation with lutein intake estimated as the average of three 24 h recalls (r 0·479; P = 0·001), rather than one 24 h recall (r 0·242; P = 0·003) or FFQ (r 0·316; P = 0·001). The median lutein intake was 697 (2·5th to 95th percentile range 178–5287) µg/d based on three 24 h recalls. Lutein intake was inversely associated with SFA intake, but dietary fat or SFA intakes were not associated with plasma lutein. No associations were found between plasma lutein or lutein intake and any measure of cognition. While subtle independent effects of lutein on child cognition are possible, separating these effects from covariates making an impact on both child diet and cognition may be difficult.

From neuro-pigments to neural efficiency: The relationship between retinal carotenoids and behavioral and neuroelectric indices of cognitive control in childhood

“…While this finding stands in contrast to a previous report regarding lutein and cognition in children (i.e. Mulder et al, 2014), that study based the analysis on plasma lutein and self-reported dietary intake of lutein while our study used MPOD, a retinal measure which may be more sensitive to cognitive measures than serum lutein. Kelly et al(2015) found that in adults, both macular pigment and serum lutein were associated with cognitive outcomes, but only the associations with macular pigment remained after controlling for relevant characteristics like sex, age, diet, and education level.…”

Cognitive Function and Its Relationship with Macular Pigment Optical Density and Serum Concentrations of its Constituent Carotenoids

“…This, in conjunction with the paucity of relationships, in our study, between serum concentrations of L and Z and the remaining cognitive tests, given the many relationships observed between MP and the same cognitive tests, suggests that retinal tissue concentrations of these antioxidants represent a more valid and valuable biomarker of brain concentrations of these carotenoids than their respective serum levels. Indeed, this superior suitability of retinal tissue concentrations was suggested in a recent letter by Hammond [ 80 ], in which the author highlights, in relation to a previous study [ 81 ], how plasma lutein levels were unrelated to cognitive enhancement in children. However, it is worth noting that coarse cognitive assessments were used.…”

Health Effects of Carotenoids during Pregnancy and Lactation

“…However, systematic review by Melo van Lent et al [ 176 ] did not find any association between lutein intake or status and respiratory health in children. A cross-sectional study of healthy, well-nourished, children aged 5.75 years ( n = 160) living in Vancouver, Canada investigating lutein intake and status did not confirm lutein role in cognition assessed by the Kaufman Assessment Battery (KABCC-II) and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) [ 177 ]. Lack of lutein effect on cognitive performance may be caused by selection of well-nourished population, whereas largest functional effects of lutein may be the most significant for those with relative deficiency; selection poor biomarker (plasma concentration) for lutein in brain (MOPD would be better), as well probably not the most sensitive cognitive tests for measuring the effects of diet on brain development [ 178 ].…”