Possible Interaction: Lutein and Vitamin C

“FINDINGS Plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lu ein, b eta-cryptoxanthin, and asc orbic acid in creased by more in the intervention group than in controls (significance of between-group differences ranged from p=0.032 to 0.0002).”

“Subjects received daily … dose of the lutein with synergistic phytochemicals … (10 mg), ascorbic acid (500 mg), tocopherols (364 mg), carnosic acid (2.5 mg), zeaxanthin (2 mg), copper (2 mg), with synergistic … in reducing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines when administered together in combination) and placebo during administration periods.”

“When ascorbic acid was added, measured lutein in the extracts of isopropyl alcohol (155 μg/100 g) and acetone (138 μg/100 g) increased by 8 and 33%, respectively.”

“Plasma lutein, total carotenoids and ascorbic acid concentrations of subjects in either the lutein group or the lutein plus green tea extract group were significantly increased (P<.05) at 4 weeks and throughout the 16-week study period.”

“However, by fitting a multiple regression model of serum concentration over time, lutein is absorbed faster with simultaneous supplementation of vitamin C ( P </=.026).”

“These results suggest that lutein independently reduces the activity of SOD and alters more biomarkers of oxidative stress when combined with vitamin C than with vitamin E, and that vitamin E reduces liver lipid peroxidation in obese rats when the accumulation of liver alpha-tocopherol is very high.”

“Moreover, lutein decreased the malondialdehyde content, increased the oxygen radical absorbance capacity level, glutathione, the vitamin C contents and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities.”