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Plasma responses to cholesterol, lutein and alpha‐tocopherol from eggs in postmenopausal women are related
Author(s) -
Waters David,
Greene Christine M,
Fernandez Maria Luz
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1058-a
Subject(s) - lutein , cholesterol , zeaxanthin , carotenoid , yolk , medicine , endocrinology , crossover study , vitamin , chemistry , food science , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
Eggs are a rich source of cholesterol, lutein and vitamin E. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between plasma cholesterol response and plasma lutein and vitamin E responses after egg consumption. Using a crossover design, postmenopausal women (50–68y) were assigned to a pasteurized whole egg treatment containing 640 mg cholesterol, 600 mcg lutein/zeaxanthin/d (EGG) or an egg substitute treatment containing 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mcg lutein/zeaxanthin and 540 mcg beta‐carotene/d (SUB) for 30 d, followed by a 3 wk washout period and 30 d alternate treatment period. Nine women were classified as hyper‐responders to cholesterol and 17 women were classified as hypo‐responders to cholesterol. After the EGG period cholesterol hyper‐responders had a significantly greater increase in plasma lutein (42%) and alpha‐tocopherol (36%) compared to the cholesterol hypo‐responders who has a 23% increase in lutein and a 20% increase in alpha‐tocopherol. Increase in plasma lutein from eggs did not affect other carotenoids in the blood. After the SUB period, the 63% increase in plasma beta‐carotene observed in the cholesterol hyper‐responders was significantly greater (p<0.05) than the 39% increase observed in the cholesterol hypo‐responders. These results suggest plasma responses to dietary cholesterol, carotenoids and alpha‐tocopherol are related. Supported by American Egg Board and USDA NRI Grant 02‐35200‐12312.