BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence regarding the relationship between dietary and plasma lutein + zeaxanthin (L + Z) levels and the risk of depression is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the associations of dietary consumption of L + Z and plasma L + Z level with risk of depression in adult of United States by using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A total of 7,829 and 7,324 individuals aged ≥ 20 years were included from the NHANES to analyze the relationship between dietary L + Z and depression, as well as plasma L+ Z levels with the risk of depression, separately. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Subsequently, the dose-response relationships were conducted using restricted cubic splines.
RESULTS: In the multivariable model, the highest quartile of dietary L + Z intake was associated with a significantly lower risk of depression compared to the lowest quartile (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.89, p < 0.01). Similarly, the highest quartile of plasma L + Z levels was linked to a reduced risk of depression compared to the lowest quartile (OR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.44, 0.76, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that an appropriate increase in dietary L + Z intake and higher plasma L + Z levels are associated with a lower risk of depression. These results should be confirmed by randomized controlled trial (RCTs) to explore the effects of supplementing L + Z on depression.
