Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview
Lutein is a dietary carotenoid preferentially accumulated in the eye and the brain in early life and throughout the life span. Lutein accumulation in areas of high metabolism and oxidative stress such as the eye and the brain suggest a unique role of this ingredient during the development and matura...
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/3239 |
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| author | Diego Gazzolo Simonetta Picone Alberto Gaiero Massimo Bellettato Gerardo Montrone Francesco Riccobene Gianluca Lista Guido Pellegrini |
| author_facet | Diego Gazzolo Simonetta Picone Alberto Gaiero Massimo Bellettato Gerardo Montrone Francesco Riccobene Gianluca Lista Guido Pellegrini |
| author_sort | Diego Gazzolo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lutein is a dietary carotenoid preferentially accumulated in the eye and the brain in early life and throughout the life span. Lutein accumulation in areas of high metabolism and oxidative stress such as the eye and the brain suggest a unique role of this ingredient during the development and maturation of these organs of common embryological origin. Lutein is naturally provided to the developing baby via the cord blood, breast milk and then infant diet. The presence of this carotenoid depends on fruit and vegetable intakes and its bioavailability is higher in breastmilk. This paper aims to review the anatomical development of the eye and the brain, explore the presence and selective deposition of lutein in these organs during pregnancy and infancy and, based on its functional characteristics, present the latest available research on the beneficial role of lutein in the pediatric population. The potential effects of lutein in ameliorating conditions associated with increase oxidative stress such as in prematurity will be also addressed. Since consumption of lutein rich foods falls short of government guidelines and in most region of the world infant formulas lack this bioactive, dietary recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their child can help to bridge the gap. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:20:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fae1fa4f44f644659060a90c0f351ec0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:20:49Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-fae1fa4f44f644659060a90c0f351ec02023-11-22T14:39:34ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-09-01139323910.3390/nu13093239Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An OverviewDiego Gazzolo0Simonetta Picone1Alberto Gaiero2Massimo Bellettato3Gerardo Montrone4Francesco Riccobene5Gianluca Lista6Guido Pellegrini7Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University G. d’Annunzio, 65100 Chieti, ItalyNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, ItalyPediatric and Neonatology Unit, asl2 Ospedale San Paolo Savona, 17100 Savona, ItalyDepartment of Women and Child’s Health, San Bortolo Hospital, 36100 Vicenza, ItalyS.S.V.D “NIDO E STEN” Ospedali Riuniti Foggia, 71122 Foggia, ItalyUOC Nido d’Osservazione–San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, 00152 Rome, ItalyNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale dei Bambini V. Buzzi, ASST-FBF-Sacco, 20154 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Presidio Ospedaliero “Città di Sesto San Giovanni, Sesto san Giovanni, 20099 Milan, ItalyLutein is a dietary carotenoid preferentially accumulated in the eye and the brain in early life and throughout the life span. Lutein accumulation in areas of high metabolism and oxidative stress such as the eye and the brain suggest a unique role of this ingredient during the development and maturation of these organs of common embryological origin. Lutein is naturally provided to the developing baby via the cord blood, breast milk and then infant diet. The presence of this carotenoid depends on fruit and vegetable intakes and its bioavailability is higher in breastmilk. This paper aims to review the anatomical development of the eye and the brain, explore the presence and selective deposition of lutein in these organs during pregnancy and infancy and, based on its functional characteristics, present the latest available research on the beneficial role of lutein in the pediatric population. The potential effects of lutein in ameliorating conditions associated with increase oxidative stress such as in prematurity will be also addressed. Since consumption of lutein rich foods falls short of government guidelines and in most region of the world infant formulas lack this bioactive, dietary recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their child can help to bridge the gap.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/3239luteinzeaxanthinmacular pigmentoxidative stressblue-lighteye development |
| spellingShingle | Diego Gazzolo Simonetta Picone Alberto Gaiero Massimo Bellettato Gerardo Montrone Francesco Riccobene Gianluca Lista Guido Pellegrini Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview Nutrients lutein zeaxanthin macular pigment oxidative stress blue-light eye development |
| title | Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview |
| title_full | Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview |
| title_fullStr | Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview |
| title_short | Early Pediatric Benefit of Lutein for Maturing Eyes and Brain—An Overview |
| title_sort | early pediatric benefit of lutein for maturing eyes and brain an overview |
| topic | lutein zeaxanthin macular pigment oxidative stress blue-light eye development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/9/3239 |
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