Feasibility Study of a Docosahexaenoic Acid-Optimized Nutraceutical Formulation on the Macular Levels of Lutein in a Healthy Mediterranean Population.

INTRODUCTION: Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) plays a pivotal role in maintaining macular structure and functioning. Research shows that daily consumption of lutein reduces the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the influence of a supplementation containing lutein and antioxidant vitamins either with or without docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with the main objective of identifying MPOD changes in both eyes at the end of the follow-up using the Visucam®retinograph. The secondary end point was to determine variation in the lutein and DHA levels in plasma and red blood cell membranes (RBCMs), respectively. METHODS: One hundred healthy participants (200 eyes) aged 40-70 years (mean age 49.3 years, SEM = 13.7) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive daily one of the following supplements for 3 months: lutein group (LT-G, n = 49) and lutein plus DHA group (LT/DHA-G, n = 51). The MPOD was measured at baseline and end of the follow-up by retinography (Visucam®retinograph). Lutein in plasma was determined by HPLC, and DHA in RBC membranes was analyzed by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. RESULTS: From baseline, MPOD showed significantly higher values in the LT/DHA-G than in the LT-G at the end of the study (p < 0.0001). Significantly higher lutein in plasma (p < 0.0001) and DHA (p < 0.0001) levels in the RBC membrane were seen in the LT/DHA-G than in the LT-G at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Lutein supplementation improves MPOD in healthy subjects from a Mediterranean population being significantly increased in the presence of DHA. Therefore, our findings highlight the relevance of the adjunctive role of DHA for better lutein availability.

Supplementation of Re-Esterified Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids Reduce Inflammatory and Muscle Damage Markers after Exercise in Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial.

This study aimed to analyse the effect of 10 weeks of a highly concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic (EPA) supplementation (ratio 8:1) on strength deficit and inflammatory and muscle damage markers in athletes. Fifteen endurance athletes participated in the study. In a randomized, double-blinded cross-over controlled design, the athletes were supplemented with a re-esterified triglyceride containing 2.1 g/day of DHA + 240 mg/day of EPA or placebo for 10 weeks. After a 4-week wash out period, participants were supplemented with the opposite treatment. Before and after each supplementation period, participants performed one eccentric-induced muscle damage exercise training session (ECC). Before, post-exercise min and 24 and 48 h after exercise, muscle soreness, knee isokinetic strength and muscle damage and inflammatory markers were tested. No significant differences in strength deficit variables were found between the two conditions in any of the testing sessions. However, a significant effect was observed in IL1ß (p = 0.011) and IL6 (p = 0.009), which showed significantly lower values after DHA consumption than after placebo ingestion. Moreover, a significant main effect was observed in CPK (p = 0.014) and LDH-5 (p = 0.05), in which significantly lower values were found after DHA + EPA consumption. In addition, there was a significant effect on muscle soreness (p = 0.049), lower values being obtained after DHA + EPA consumption. Ten weeks of re-esterified DHA + EPA promoted lower concentrations of inflammation and muscle damage markers and decreased muscle soreness but did not improve the strength deficit after an ECC in endurance athletes.