Zeaxanthin linked to better mental performance in the elderly

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Zeaxanthin linked to better mental performance in the elderly

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=78531 & m=2nie727 & c=xeiqgoegavfxtla

By ls

26/07/2007 - Increased intake of the carotenoids lycopene and zeaxanthin

may improve the mental performance of the elderly, according to a new

study from France.

Writing in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, researchers

from the University of Montpellier, University of Paris, and CHU

Grenoble, report that low levels of the carotenoids were linked to the

lowest levels of cognitive function amongst 589 healthy older people.

" To our knowledge, this study is the first that investigated, in a

healthy elderly population, the relationship between cognitive

performance measured by five neuropsychological tests and the different

plasma carotenoids: xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin,

beta-cryptoxanthin) and carotenes (lycopene, alpha-carotene,

trans-beta-carotene, and cis-beta-carotene), " wrote lead author Tasnime

Akbaraly.

" In this present study, low levels of specific plasma carotenoids -

lycopene and zeaxanthin - were associated to poor cognitive functioning

in a highly educated, community-dwelling elderly population, " added

Akbaraly.

Cognitive performance declines naturally with age, but the new research,

part of the Etude de Vieillissement Arteriel (EVA) study, reports that

this decline may be slowed by increased intake of certain carotenoids.

Blood samples for the participants (average age 73.5, 361 women) were

taken and carotenoid levels calculated. Cognitive function was measured

using a battery of tests, including the Mini-Mental State Examination

(MMSE), Trail Making Test Part B (TMTB), Digit Symbol Substitution

(DSS), Finger Tapping Test (FTT), and Word Fluency Test (WFT).

The researchers report that participants with the lowest cognitive

performance scores were more likely to have low levels of some

carotenoids. Significant associations were reported between zeaxanthin

and all cognitive tests except the MMSE, while low levels of lycopene

were associated with poor performance on the TMTB and the DSS.

No statistically significant association was observed between the other

carotenoids and cognitive performance.

" We have no basis to expect specific association between carotenoids and

psychometric evaluation, " said the authors. " However, it is well known

that low plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations were implicated in

age-related macular degeneration. Although the retina is a puzzle (the

ultimate solution of which lies on the other side of the optic nerve in

its connection with the brain), a highly specific accumulation of lutein

and zeaxanthin in the retina and in the macula is described.

" Could other areas of the brain have the same affinity for some specific

carotenoids? " they asked.

" The biological significance of our findings needs further research by

biological studies, longitudinal epidemiological studies, and by

specific clinical trials with carotenoid supplementation, " concluded the

researchers.

The research was welcomed by industry. Phil Gowaski, sales and marketing

manager for US-based zeaxanthin producer Chrysantis, said: " This is one

of the first significant studies to show a definitive link between

zeaxanthin levels and cognitive function. This new information gives us

the opportunity to help even more people maintain a better quality of

life for a longer period of time. "

Source: Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences

Volume 62A, Number 3, Pages 308-316

" Plasma Carotenoid Levels and Cognitive Performance in an Elderly

Population: Results of an EVA Study "

Authors: N.T. Akbaraly, H. Faure, V. Gourlet, A. Favier, C. Berr

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