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Effect of xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake on visual outcomes in healthy adults and those with eye disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2023-04-24
  • Nutrition reviews 82(1)
    • Weili Hu
    • Pavitra Shankar
    • Yuanhang Yao
    • Xinyi Su
    • Jung Eun Kim

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
Systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases.

Context

Xanthophyll intake is known to improve eye health; however, its benefits on visual outcomes have not been systematically studied, particularly in a population with eye diseases.

Objective

A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to investigate the effect of xanthophyll intake on visual outcomes, and further subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of eye disease status.

Data sources

The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified.

Data extraction

For systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, 43, 25, and 21 articles were selected, respectively.

Data analysis

Xanthophyll intake enhanced macular pigment optical density (MPOD) for both heterochromatic flicker photometry (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.07) and autofluorescence imaging (WMD, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.05-0.11) measurements and decreased photostress recovery time (WMD, -2.35; 95%CI, -4.49 to -0.20). While enhancement in visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was observed in response to the xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake only for patients with eye disease (WMD, -0.04; 95%CI, -0.07 to -0.01). Meta-regression showed a positive correlation between change in MPOD (heterochromatic flicker photometry) and the corresponding change in serum lutein levels (regression coefficient = 0.068; P = 0.00).

Conclusion

Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health. Additional improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients with eye disease. A positive association between MPOD and serum lutein level, while absent with dietary xanthophyll intake, suggests the importance of bioavailability when examining the effect of xanthophyll on eye health.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021295337.

Research Insights

  • Lutein→Improved Visual Acuity

    enhancement in visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was observed in response to the xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake only for patients with eye disease (WMD, -0.04; 95%CI, -0.07 to -0.01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Lutein→Increased Macular Pigment Optical Density

    Xanthophyll intake enhanced macular pigment optical density (MPOD) for both heterochromatic flicker photometry (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.07) and autofluorescence imaging (WMD, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.05-0.11) measurements

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Lutein→Reduced Photostress Recovery Time

    decreased photostress recovery time (WMD, -2.35; 95%CI, -4.49 to -0.20)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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