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Posted on Jun 16, 2016, 6 a.m.
Absorption of lutein – a key carotenoid for eye health, is enhanced by consuming olive or coconut oil.
Recent studies have identified the importance of lutein – a carotenoid, in maintaining eye health as we age. Vallikannan Baskaran, from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (India), and colleagues studied the role of dietary fats to promote the bioavailability of lutein. Employing a lab animal model, the team tested olive, coconut, soybean, sunflower, rice bran, corn, groundnut, and fish oils, fed in conjunction with lutein (200 microMoles). After 15 days, plasma lutein levels were found to be highest in olive oil (82%) and coconut oil (68%). Importantly, the study authors report that: “lutein accumulation in the liver and the eye was highest in the [olive oil] (120% and 117%) and [coconut oil] (105% and 109%) fed groups, compared to control.”
Bhatiwada Nidhi, Talahalli R. Ramaprasad, Vallikannan Baskaran. “Dietary fatty acid determines the intestinal absorption of lutein in lutein deficient mice.” Food Research International, Volume 64, October 2014, Pages 256-263.
