Egg Intake Improves Macular Pigment Density

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a debilitating, progressive eye disease faced by nearly 15% of the population aged 75 and over and is the single largest cause of legal blindness in the U.S. This condition is caused by a partial breakdown of the retinal pigment epithelium and results in damage to the macula (the portion of the retina responsible for central vision). Because it impairs central vision, AMD severely limits the ability of affected individuals to read, drive, and perform other daily tasks. Research has demonstrated that increased blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin (dietary carotenoids that accumulate in the macula) might reduce the risk of this eye disease and that lutein supplementation might be effective in slowing the progression of AMD. Studies have also shown that increased dietary intake of fruits and vegetables high in lutein and zeaxanthin improve macular pigment levels (or macular pigment optical density—MPOD).