Carotenoid compositions are described for management, treatment, and/or prevention of stress by reducing cortisol levels and/or improving distribution and/or density of macular pigment and thus improving overall health status. More particularly, a subject in need thereof for the method has disturbed macular pigment optical density or increased levels of cortisol as markers of psychological and physiological stress. Methods are also described of administering macular carotenoid compositions in daily doses of at least or about 0.005 mg/kg body weight of lutein, and at least or about 0.001 mg/kg body weight of meso-zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin isomer along with at least one food grade excipient and evaluating overall health status. The composition may be derived from plant extract containing xanthophylls and/or xanthophylls esters. The composition also reduces cortisol levels in the blood and relieves physiological stress, thus improving overall health status of a subject in need thereof.
