Pistachios & Neural PigmentPistachios and Neural Macular Pigment

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult men and women, aged 40 - 70 years
2. Body Mass Index (BMI): 20.0 - 36.9 kg/m2
3. Low macular pigment density at baseline (<0.5 OD)
4. Low lutein and zeaxanthin intake at baseline (<2 mg/d)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to perform the heteroflicker photometry procedures with or without corrective lenses (i.e. glasses or contact lenses) during in-house screening.
2. History of (self-reported):

• Fat malabsorption
• Use of drugs that interfere with fat absorption or metabolism
• Tree nut allergy
• Eye disease, including macular degeneration and cataracts
• Small bowel disease or resection
• Atrophic gastritis
• Hyperlipidemia
• Insulin-requiring diabetes
• > 14 alcoholic drinks per week
• Pancreatic disease
• Bleeding disorders
• Pregnancy (or hoping to become pregnant during participation in the study)
• Carotenoid or fatty acid dietary supplements within 2 months of the study
• Non-English speaker
• Any condition that would make it unlikely that the participant would be able to complete the requirements of the study.

Individuals on lipid-lowering medication will be considered if they maintain their regimen throughout the study and meet all inclusion/exclusion criteria.