Carotenoid Supplements for Children's Cognitive Function and Achievement

This trial explores whether a carotenoid supplement can boost cognitive function and school performance in children over a school year. Researchers will compare two groups: one taking a lutein and zeaxanthin supplement and another taking a placebo, a harmless pill with no active ingredients. Children aged 8-10, with normal vision, who haven't recently taken lutein supplements, and do not have a parent-reported learning disability, might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to potentially enhance their cognitive abilities and academic performance.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot have taken lutein supplements in the past 6 months, except for multivitamins with less than 1 mg of lutein per day.

Research has shown that lutein and zeaxanthin, the main ingredients in the supplement under study, can improve brain function in adults. Some studies suggest these nutrients might also play a role in brain development in children, but further research is needed to confirm this.

Unlike standard cognitive enhancers for children, which often involve medications or behavioral therapies, the carotenoid supplement is unique because it harnesses the power of naturally occurring substances found in fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids, known for their antioxidant properties, may have a novel mechanism of action by potentially improving brain health and cognitive function. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it could offer a safe, dietary-based approach to supporting children's cognitive development, with the added benefit of being easy to incorporate into daily life.

This trial will compare the effects of carotenoid supplements with a placebo on children's cognitive function and achievement. Research has shown that carotenoid supplements, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, can enhance thinking skills and school performance. One study found that these supplements improved vision and thinking abilities in adults. Another study discovered that lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids, like DHA, increased brain processing speed. These findings suggest that children might also benefit, potentially improving their school performance. The evidence supports the idea that carotenoid supplements could enhance thinking skills and academic success.¹²⁴⁶⁷