Lutein across the Lifespan: From Childhood Cognitive Performance to the Aging Eye and Brain.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review summarizing published evidence without systematic search methodology
PubMed 31321376 · doi:10.1093/cdn/nzz066
What was done
This paper reviewed literature regarding the dietary carotenoid lutein, specifically its accumulation across the blood-retina barrier to form macular pigment, its presence in brain tissue across life stages, and its relationship to visual and cognitive function from childhood through aging.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, effect sizes, or specific study counts. It notes descriptively that lutein and zeaxanthin form retinal macular pigment, that lutein preferentially accumulates in the brain across multiple life stages, and that scientific evidence links lutein to visual and cognitive function across the lifespan.
Why it matters
This review outlines the physiological distribution and potential lifelong roles of dietary lutein in visual and neurocognitive health.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks systematic search criteria, quality assessment of included studies, and quantitative synthesis. The abstract provides no primary data, sample sizes, or statistical metrics.
Cited by
- supports Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the human brain and are associated with improved cognitive function, crystallized intelligence, and reduced brain aging.