Memory: the beneficial effects of xanthophylls

Have you ever heard of xanthophylls? Part of the large family of carotenoids renowned for their antioxidant potency, the less well-known xanthophylls are natural, yellow pigments that actually offer significant therapeutic potential, as has been demonstrated in a number of studies conducted over the last few years. Scientists have recently highlighted their positive effects on cognitive performance including memory and concentration¹. Let’s take a closer look at this new discovery.

The importance of xanthophylls for cognitive function

The fact that xanthophylls are now being studied for their potential to improve cognitive performance may be due to the similarity of their structure with that of carotenes: studies have already suggested that supplementing with carotenes may improve cognitive performance². As derivatives of carotenes, it was theorised that xanthophylls may also prove to be of benefit to cognitive function, a theory that has been supported by recent research. The scientists responsible demonstrated that low levels of xanthophylls in plasma or serum may be a contributory factor to the decline of cognitive function observed in older people. Hence the focus on the potential of xanthophyll supplementation to hold back the ageing process and improve cognitive performance

Large-scale study to evaluate the potential of xanthophylls

At the beginning of 2017, a team of British and Irish researchers published the results of their research into two xanthophylls – lutein and zeaxanthin. These two carotenoids are known for their role in protecting the retina, but the researchers wanted to test their hypothesis - that they may also improve cognitive performance – by analysing data from the large-scale Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Involving several thousand subjects aged over 50, this Irish study has collected information on many aspects of health. Of particular interest to these researchers was the data on mental health and cognitive performance which they analysed against lutein and zeaxanthin levels in order to evaluate the potential of xanthophyll supplementation.

Positive effects observed on cognitive performance

In analysing data from 4076 subjects, the researchers confirmed that higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were associated with improved mental performance. They observed better memory function in subjects with higher levels of xanthophylls as well as faster information-processing in those with higher zeaxanthin levels. These observations suggest that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin could offer significant benefits for cognitive performance. As a result, new studies are underway to expand scientific understanding of xanthophylls’ beneficial effects and to evaluate their protective effects against age-related cognitive decline, which is responsible for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

These new findings confirm the therapeutic potential of xanthophylls which are already available in dietary supplement form. One such product is lutein, which is primarily indicated for preventing and treating Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also part of the formulation of the dietary supplement Carottol™, a complex of natural carotenoids.

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> Sources :
1. Joanne Ferney et al., Plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin Are Associated With Better Cognitive Function Across Multiple Domains in a Large Population-Based Sample of Older Adults: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 330, 20 January 2017.
2. Grodstein F, et al., A Randomized Trial of Beta Carotene Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Men: The Physicians' Health Study II, Arch Internal Med,167, 2184-2190, 2007.