Research news

Study to determine relationships between eggs and omega-3, lutein

Grants totaling $100,000 from the American Egg Board and the Agricultural Research Initiative (through California State Polytechnic University, Pomona), are funding a School of Public Health study examining the health relationships of egg consumption to omega-3 essential fats, and serum lutein. Just as the name implies, omega-3 essential fatty acids are vital nutrients, and play an important role in human health since they are molecules from which cell membranes throughout the body are constructed. Luteins, scientists believe, function to protect the part of the eye concerned with central vision-the macula.

The study subjects, lacto-ovo vegetarians (individuals whose diets do not include meat or fish, but who do not restrict milk products or eggs), are studied in three groups: those who eat regular eggs; those who eat eggs fortified with the essential fatty acid DHA; and those whose diets will contain prescribed amounts of walnuts.

The Loma Linda area is an ideal site for the study since this community has a high percentage of people who follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. The community also has fewer smokers, generally superior lipid profiles and is typically healthier than the general population. The value of these characteristics is strengthened by the fact that many of the area's vegetarians have practiced this form of diet for many years. In addition, all these aspects decrease confounding in the interpretation of study results.

Finding alternatives to common sources of omega-3 oils is important, since their presence in the body in adequate levels is critical to good health, and since many individuals' diets do not contain significant amounts of fish-a key source of omega-3 oils. Omega-3 products, it is known, can reduce the potential for heart attack and stroke since they keep blood platelets from clumping. They also have anti-inflammatory properties to help maintain good vascular health, and they act as a vasodilator, to help reduce blood pressure.

Doctoral candidate Bonny Burns-Whitmore, MPH, is the principal investigator, assisted by Sujatha Rajaram, PhD, Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, and Ella Haddad, DrPH, RD. [Top]

About DHA and lutein

Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, is sometimes referred to as "brain oil," since it is one of the primary structural components of brain tissue in the human body. Naturally found in fish oils, some meats and in eggs, DHA is also synthesized in the laboratory as a dietary supplement. DHA can be made in the body from Omega-3

Crystallized DHA (top) and lutein create dazzling images in microphotographs.

precursor alpha-linolenic acid. However, the efficiency of conversion is thought to be very low.

Research indicates that DHA plays an important role in reduced heart disease, reduced blood triglycerides, partial reversals in diabetes, and may also be of benefit as a treatment for depression and the onset of autoimmune diseases such as AIDS.

Lutein is one of 600 naturally occurring fat-soluble antioxidant carotenoid biochemicals abundant in green leafy vegetables and present in smaller amounts in eggs and other vegetables and fruits, including spinach, squash, grapes, broccoli, parsley and peas. Lutein acts to filter UV rays from the eye and protects against macular degeneration-a leading cause of blindness in people over 65. Lutein may also protect against cataracts.

Microphotographs by Michael Davidson courtesy of Molecular Expressions Phytochemical Gallery, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.

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