The literature on risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases showed that lutein might be beneficial for atherosclerosis and inflammatory markers , but there were inconsistent associations with blood pressure , adiposity , insulin resistance , and blood lipids .
CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher dietary intake and higher blood concentrations of lutein are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health .
BACKGROUND The antioxidant lutein is suggested as being beneficial to cardiometabolic health because of its protective effect against oxidative stress , but evidence has not systematic ally been evaluated .
OBJECTIVE We aim ed to evaluate systematic ally the effects of lutein ( intake or concentrations ) on cardiometabolic outcomes in different life stages .
Carotenoids, immunocompetence, and the information content of sexual colors: an experimental test.
Many male birds use carotenoid pigments to acquire brilliant colors that advertise their health and condition to prospect i ve mates . The direct means by which the most colorful males achieve superior health has been debated , however . One hypothesis , based on studies of carotenoids as antioxidants in humans and other animals , is that carotenoids directly boost the immune system of colorful birds . We studied the relationship between carotenoid pigments , immune function , and sexual coloration in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) , a species in which males incorporate carotenoid pigments into their beak to attract mates . We tested the hypotheses that increased dietary carotenoid intake enhances immunocompetence in male zebra finches and that levels of carotenoids circulating in blood , which also determine beak coloration , directly predict the immune response of individuals . We experimentally supplemented captive finches  with two common dietary carotenoid pigments ( lutein and zeaxanthin ) and measured cell-mediated and humoral immunity a month later . Supplemented males showed elevated blood-carotenoid levels , brighter beak coloration , and increased cell-mediated and humoral immune responses than did controls . Cell-mediated responses were predicted directly by changes in beak color and plasma carotenoid concentration of individual birds . These experimental findings suggest that carotenoid-based color signals in birds may directly signal male health via the immunostimulatory action of ingested and circulated carotenoid pigments
The literature on risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases showed that lutein might be beneficial for atherosclerosis and inflammatory markers , but there were inconsistent associations with blood pressure , adiposity , insulin resistance , and blood lipids .
CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher dietary intake and higher blood concentrations of lutein are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health .
BACKGROUND The antioxidant lutein is suggested as being beneficial to cardiometabolic health because of its protective effect against oxidative stress , but evidence has not systematic ally been evaluated .
OBJECTIVE We aim ed to evaluate systematic ally the effects of lutein ( intake or concentrations ) on cardiometabolic outcomes in different life stages .