Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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23.08.2017 |
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Lutein helps prevent hardening of the arteries by inhibiting inflammatory factors
Lutein is a fascinating substance found in curly kale, which might speed up fat loss, make physical exercise less unpleasant and reduce the chance of developing prostate cancer. The same lutein probably also protects against hardening of the arteries, Swedish researchers at the University of Linköping discovered.
Lutein & atherosclerosis
Animal studies have shown that lutein reduces hardening of the arteries. [Circulation. 2001 Jun 19;103(24):2922-7.] [J Nutr. 2011 Aug;141(8):1458-63.] Epidemiological research suggests that a high concentration of lutein and related substances such as zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene can slow down the progression of atherosclerosis. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Feb;24(2):313-9.] [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997 Jun;17(6):1171-7.]
Study
Results
In the table below the researchers have added up the values for lutein and zeaxanthin, as the two substances are difficult to distinguish from each other. Because foods that contain lutein also provide zeaxanthin, these two substances are often found in a particular ratio (about 5:1) in human blood.
The researchers extracted immune cells from the participants' blood and exposed them to lutein. The higher the concentration of lutein, the less interleukin-6, interleukin-1-beta and TNF-alpha the cells produced.
Conclusion
"Future dietary intervention studies are warranted to confirm whether increasing the consumption of lutein has beneficial effects on clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease."
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