Olestra consumption is not associated with macular pigment optical densityin a cross-sectional volunteer sample in Indianapolis

The associations between the intake of the fat-substitute olestra and the c oncentrations of macular carotenoid pigments and serum lutein and zeaxanthi n were investigated in a volunteer cross-sectional sample in Indianapolis, The study was conducted in January through March, 1998 after olestra-contai ning savory snacks had been sold in central Indiana for a year. Volunteers (n = 280) aged 18-50 y were recruited to make a single clinic visit during which macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was determined by psychophysic al flicker photometry, serum was obtained for determination of lutein and z eaxanthin concentration, usual intake of olestra, carotenoids and nutrients were assessed by 1-y food frequency questionnaire, and health habits inclu ding smoking, physical characteristics such as eye color, demographics and medical history were determined by questionnaire. Intake of olestra at leas t one time per month for the past year was reported by 81:280 subjects and their mean, median and 90(th) percentile intakes were 1.09, 0.34 and 2.43 g olestra/d, respectively. Mean macular pigment optical density was not sign ificantly different between olestra consumers and nonconsumers (0.213 +/- 0 .014 vs. 0.211 +/- 0.010) nor was serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentration (0.361 +/- 0.019 vs. 0.375 +/- 0.013 mu mol/L) or intake (1242 +/- 103 mg/ d vs. 1042 +/- 58 mg/d) in one-way or two-way ANOVA. Olestra intake was not associated with MPOD or serum lutein and zeaxanthin before or after correc tion for significant covariates of MPOD. Thus, olestra intake over the past year in a cross-sectional volunteer sample in Indianapolis was not associa ted with MPOD.