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

The associations between the intake of the fat-substitute olestra and the concentrations of macular carotenoid pigments and serum lutein and zeaxanthin were investigated in a volunteer cross-sectional sample in Indianapolis. The study was conducted in January through March, 1998 after olestra-containing 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 psychophysical flicker photometry, serum was obtained for determination of lutein and zeaxanthin concentration, usual intake of olestra, carotenoids and nutrients were assessed by 1-y food frequency questionnaire, and health habits including smoking, physical characteristics such as eye color, demographics and medical history were determined by questionnaire. Intake of olestra at least 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 significantly different between olestra consumers and nonconsumers (0.213 +/- 0.014 vs. 0.211 +/- 0.010) nor was serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentration (0.361 +/- 0.017 vs. 0.375 +/- 0. 013 micromol/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 correction for significant covariates of MPOD. Thus, olestra intake over the past year in a cross-sectional volunteer sample in Indianapolis was not associated with MPOD.