Lutein, an antioxidant nutrient already linked to eye health, may help prevent the hardening and narrowing of arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Lutein is one of a group of antioxidants that includes vitamins A, C and E. Research has suggested that because these nutrients can neutralize oxidative damage in the body, they may help prevent heart disease and certain cancers. The oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in the arteries is a major factor in the development of heart disease.

Lutein has already been shown to potentially lower the risk of an age-related vision loss called macular degeneration, possibly by preventing oxidative damage to the retina.

In the new research, investigators studied lutein's relationship to thickening in the neck's carotid arteries, a marker of artery disease throughout the body. They found that while participants with the highest blood levels of lutein showed virtually no artery-wall thickening at the end of the study, those with the lowest lutein levels showed increased artery thickness. The lutein link held after factors including age, smoking, use of heart medications and intake of other vitamins were considered.

To further investigate this dietary association, the researchers conducted experiments in mice and cell cultures. They found that treating artery-wall cells with lutein reduced the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. And in mice engineered to develop artery disease, the researchers found that those given lutein-supplemented diets showed significantly smaller artery-clogging plaques compared with untreated mice.

Lutein-rich foods include dark leafy greens like

• spinach
• carrots
• eggs
  

Circulation June 19, 2001;103