Combination of carotenoids and epi-lutein

A method to increase the uptake of a carotenoid in a subject's plasma comprising the step of:

• orally administering a composition to a subject, wherein the composition comprises from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of a purified epi-lutein or esters thereof component and from about 95 to about 5 weight percent of a purified carotenoid or esters thereof component, wherein the weight percentages of the purified epi-lutein or esters thereof component and the purified carotenoid or esters thereof component equal 100 weight percent of the combination.