Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids and lutein absorption in people
What it found
Taking a single dose of lutein with mono- and diglycerides led to much higher blood levels of lutein than taking it with safflower oil.
This was measured in 24 healthy adults over about two weeks.
What they found
Studies in people
Higher lutein in blood
Blood levels of lutein rose 129 % more at 12 hours and 320 % more at 48 hours when taken with mono- and diglycerides compared to safflower oil. The total amount absorbed over 336 hours was 900 % higher.
Same time to peak
Both groups reached their highest blood level of lutein at 12 hours after taking the capsule. The mono- and diglyceride group simply reached a much higher peak.
Zeaxanthin also increased
Zeaxanthin, another nutrient in the capsules, followed a similar pattern. Blood levels at 48 hours were higher with mono- and diglycerides than with safflower oil.
No change in blood fats
Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides did not differ between the two treatments from 0 to 48 hours.
Mild side effects
One person left early due to a sprained ligament unrelated to the product. Five mild events occurred, including headache and nausea, with no overall difference between treatments.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that using mono- and diglycerides instead of standard oils significantly increases how much lutein the body absorbs from a single dose.
- Their next steps include testing different doses and checking whether this improved absorption leads to more lutein reaching tissues like the eyes and brain.
How it was done
Lutein is linked to lower risks of chronic diseases, but the body absorbs it poorly from standard supplements. The authors wanted to see if mixing lutein with mono- and diglycerides could help the body take in more of it.
Twenty-four healthy adults took a single 6 mg dose of lutein in a capsule. Each person tried both versions: one with mono- and diglycerides and one with safflower oil, separated by 14 days. Blood samples were taken over 336 hours to measure how much lutein entered the bloodstream.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial tested only a single 6 mg dose of lutein. It cannot show what happens when people take mono- and diglycerides daily over a long period.
- The study measured lutein in the blood. It does not show whether more lutein actually reaches the eyes or brain.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Abbott Laboratories, USA
The paper
- Title
- Mono- and diglycerides improve lutein absorption in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, single-dose study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Marriage BJ, Williams JA, Choe YS, Maki KC, Vurma M, DeMichele SJ (2017). Mono- and diglycerides improve lutein absorption in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over, single-dose study. The British journal of nutrition. doi:10.1017/S0007114517002963Free full textPubMed 29151374DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error