A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition shows that absorption rates of lutein are dependent on its source.
In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study conducted by lead author Malkananthi Evans and co-authors, the effect of formulation differences on the bioavailability of lutein was evaluated using a starch-matrix FloraGLO Lutein 5% (DSM) and a alginate-matrix Lyc-O-Lutein 20%. Forty-eight healthy subjects were given a single dose of 20 mg lutein from either of the two formulations and lutein was measured in the plasma at several time intervals. After a wash out period of 28 days, the study was repeated with the alternative formulation.
The researchers found that after 14 hrs, total plasma lutein increased by 126% with the starch matrix FloraGLO Lutein 5% compared to only 7% with the alginate matrix Lyc-O-Lutein 20%. After 672 hours, the area under the curve for total lutein was 1.3-fold higher for the starch-matrix FloraGLO Lutein 5% compared to the alginate-based Lyc-O-Lutein 20%.
Although lutein has demonstrated benefits in eye health, it can only impart those benefits if this bioactive compound is efficiently absorbed by the body. This study shows that not all lutein sources are equivalent, and that their bioavailability depends on the formulation. In this study, the starch matrix formulation was much more bioavailable than the alginate matrix.
