ABSTRACT
Zeaxanthin is a close structural isomer of lutein, and typically occurs in similar foods as lutein. Release from the food matrix and pre-intestinal digestion are followed by transfer to mixed micelles during typical dietary lipid lipolysis. In July 2008, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved the addition of up to 250 μg lutein/L in infant formula products. Lutein is an effective antioxidant and scavenger of nitric oxide, a compound with known relationship to cognitive disease. The chapter focuses on the chemical and biological properties of lutein in relation to human health. The neural ectoderm is the same tissue from which the neural plate and other brain tissues are derived. Both macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and processing speed can be improved with lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation, demonstrating the beneficial effect of the dietary components on neural health. MPOD has a multifunctional role in the retina, including improving visual performance and protecting against damaging light.
