Connecting science and well-being

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of visual impairment with people aged 55 years and older. AMD also has a significant impact on the quality of life because it leads to blindness. A large blind spot occurs in the center of the visual field and one can no longer recognize faces or take part in traffic.  In Europe alone there are already 5,5 million people diagnosed with AMD. It is estimated that there are a 100 million people in the EU and US with an increased risk of AMD, or already having the first symptoms without knowing it.

With AMD the yellow spot (macula) is decreasing gradually. The yellow spot is the (central) part of the retina of the eye and creates the center of the visual field. Lutein is a main component of the yellow spot and there is strong evidence that it protects the eyes against AMD.
It has become more scientifically evident over the past few years, that food plays an important role in the prevention of AMD.  Lutein is a yellow-colored pigment which can be found in eggs, corn and green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli. Lutein is fat soluble, which means that lutein needs fat to be easily absorbed into the body and thus the eye.

Eggs are an important source of lutein. Lutein has long been added to poultry feed to intensify the yellow colour of egg yolks. The major advantage of eggs is that the intake of lutein occurs very efficiently as the pigment is already bonded to the fats in the egg, which means that it can be easily absorbed by the human body. Newtricious is using this principle and developed an egg with an extra high level of lutein. This egg is processed as an ingredient in a specially designed drink that can be easily consumed.

A few years ago Newtricious started research on this drink. This drink is currently tested in a large dietary intervention trial in Maastricht in volunteers with signs of AMD, in order to build the evidence that the drink is indeed slowing the progression of AMD.
This research is designed and implemented in close collaboration with, among others, the Department of Ophthalmology of the Academic Hospital of Maastricht.

For more information about this project, please visit http://www.maculaegg.com/