Lutein may be protective against diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). At present, data regarding bioavailability of lutein from various sources are insufficient. Healthy men (n = 10) participated in an intervention study with a crossover design. After a 2-wk washout period during which they consumed a low-carotenoid diet, the men were administered 1 of 4 lutein doses (lutein supplement, lutein ester supplement, spinach, and lutein-enriched egg) for 9 d. All lutein doses provided 6 mg lutein except for the lutein ester dose, which provided 5.5 mg lutein equivalents. Serum samples were collected from fasting subjects on d -14, 1 (baseline), 2, 3, and 10 and analyzed for changes in lutein concentration. Triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL) were separated from postprandial blood samples (0-24 h) after the first lutein dose and analyzed for lutein concentration. Subjects completed all 4 treatments of the study in random order. Results from repeated-measures 1-way ANOVA showed that the baseline and dose-adjusted lutein response in serum was significantly higher after egg consumption than after lutein, lutein ester, and spinach consumption on d 10. There was no significant difference in TRL response. In conclusion, the lutein bioavailability from egg is higher than that from other sources such as lutein, lutein ester supplements, and spinach. The lutein bioavailability from lutein, lutein ester supplements, and spinach did not differ. This finding may have implications for dietary recommendations that may decrease the risk of certain diseases, e.g., ARMD.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15284371
If you people have bit difficult to understand these scientific babblings. Here's 'English':
Age-related macular degeneration is the major reason Americans go blind. But, lutein is an antioxidant that can help prevent this condition. Lutein is a carotenoid found in green, leafy vegetables (think spinach), fruits and eggs, and it is just as important to your health, if not more so, than beta carotene.
Lutein acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals. But, because your body doesn't make lutein, it must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements. Since lutein is definitely something you want in your body, what's the most effective way to get it?
Patients were given different sources of lutein, including supplements, spinach and eggs, all of which provided the same amount of lutein per day. When the results were measured, however, those who had eaten eggs had THREE TIMES more lutein circulating in their blood. Why? The lutein in eggs comes in a lipid form and is more highly bioavailable.
Although the study didn't go into more detail, if those patients ate raw eggs, I believe they would've absorbed even higher amounts of lutein.
Source: Mercokan
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15284371
If you people have bit difficult to understand these scientific babblings. Here's 'English':
Age-related macular degeneration is the major reason Americans go blind. But, lutein is an antioxidant that can help prevent this condition. Lutein is a carotenoid found in green, leafy vegetables (think spinach), fruits and eggs, and it is just as important to your health, if not more so, than beta carotene.
Lutein acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals. But, because your body doesn't make lutein, it must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements. Since lutein is definitely something you want in your body, what's the most effective way to get it?
Patients were given different sources of lutein, including supplements, spinach and eggs, all of which provided the same amount of lutein per day. When the results were measured, however, those who had eaten eggs had THREE TIMES more lutein circulating in their blood. Why? The lutein in eggs comes in a lipid form and is more highly bioavailable.
Although the study didn't go into more detail, if those patients ate raw eggs, I believe they would've absorbed even higher amounts of lutein.
Source: Mercokan
~
*guilty as charged* 
