An egg a day for healthy vision.

Eggs are an excellent source of zeaxanthin and lutein, two nutrients needed to help maintain healthy vision as we age. But if you are worried about eggs boosting your cholesterol levels, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, eating just one egg per day helps increase blood levels of Lutein and Zeaxanthin without increasing your cholesterol. Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macular pigment of the retina, and are reported to be associated with a reduced incidence of age-related macular degeneration.

A rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin in the American diet is the yolk of chicken eggs. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the effect of consuming 1 egg per day for 5 weeks on the serum concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, lipids, and lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals 60 years old and up. These findings indicate that in older adults, 5 weeks of consuming 1 egg per day significantly increases serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations without elevating serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations."1.

It may also be a good idea to include supplements containing lutein and/or zeaxanthin plus other antioxidants along with your healthy-vision 1-egg breakfasts. Fish oil has also been shown to benefit the eyes.

References:
1. J. Nutr. 136:2519-2524, October 2006