Daily supplementation with 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin was associated with improvements in cognitive performance and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in teenagers, according to a clinical trial published in Nutrition Research. Researchers Adrian Lopresti and Stephen Smith found that six months of supplementation was associated with changes in MPOD and improvements in attention and processing speed in adolescents who consume diets low in fruits and vegetables and spend over four hours daily on LED screens.
How Does Lutein Influence Teenage Brain Health?
What Were the Results of the Recent Clinical Trial?
In a study of 82 teenagers, researchers Lopresti and Smith observed that participants receiving the Lute-gen supplement experienced significant increases in MPOD in the left and right eyes. Beyond eye health, these subjects demonstrated improved scores in tests focused on attention and processing speed compared to a placebo group. The study, funded by Bio-gen Extracts Pvt. Ltd., recorded no significant differences in non-verbal memory, visual reasoning, or performance in first-person shooter games, nor were there differences between the groups for self-reported measures of attention and sleep.
How Do These Findings Compare to Previous Research?
A 2017 study from Queens University Belfast and the Waterford Institute of Technology, published in the Journal of Gerontology, found that higher blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin may be associated with better cognition, memory, and executive function. Furthermore, a 2020 systematic review in Nutrients reported that 10 mg of daily lutein over twelve months is consistently associated with improvements in visual episodic memory, verbal episodic memory, inhibition, and attention. The current study by Lopresti and Smith is said to be the first trial to demonstrate the cognitive benefits of the carotenoid in teenagers.
Pro Tips for Supporting Cognitive Health
- Dietary Priority: Increase intake of dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, which are naturally rich in carotenoids.
- Screen Management: Monitor daily exposure to LED screens, as high-usage habits may correlate with lower MPOD levels.
- Consistency Matters: Clinical trials typically require a minimum of 90 to 180 days of supplementation to see measurable changes in MPOD and cognitive performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can teenagers get enough lutein from food alone?
While leafy greens are a source, NHANES data suggests that lutein is only about 12% of the carotenoids in the diets, which remains lower than the levels used in successful clinical trials, which often utilize concentrated supplementation.
Does lutein improve sleep?
In the study conducted by Lopresti and Smith, researchers found no differences between the groups for self-report measures of sleep.
Are all supplements the same?
Clinical research, such as the trial published in Nutrition Research, often tests specific branded ingredients—in this case, Lute-gen—to ensure consistent dosage and purity levels.
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