Lutein absorption is facilitated with cosupplementation of ascorbic acid in young adults

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the bioavailability of crystalline lutein supplements and compare lutein uptake and clearance in humans simultaneously supplemented with either vitamin C or E. The design was an intervention in which area under the curve (AUC) of lutein was compared with and without each of the supplements. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 60, 128, and 504 hours after the dose to measure serum lutein concentration. Four men and five women, aged 26.6±2.6 years, participated in this study. Treatments consisted of 18 mg lutein softgel supplements given either alone (L) or with 2 g vitamin C (LC) or 800 IU vitamin E (LE). Comparison of AUCs for the three treatments was examined using analysis of variance. Individual variations, both between and within subjects, 190- and 70-fold, respectively, were very high. AUC analyses for the first 128 hours postdosing; 2.93±1.93, 5.37±5.0, and 4.11±3.04 μmol · hr/L for L, LC, and LE treatments, respectively; were not significantly different. However, by fitting a multiple regression model of serum concentration over time, lutein is absorbed faster with simultaneous supplementation of vitamin C (P≤.026). In conclusion, bioavailability of crystalline lutein from supplements varies greatly both within and between subjects and therefore reformulation should be considered. Cosupplementation with another antioxidant may facilitate absorption.