The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study

Changes in Intake and Major Food Sources of Carotenoids among U.S. Adults between 2009-2018

Large epidemiologic studies suggest that diets rich in total or specific carotenoids are associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. However, there are few studies characterizing trends in dietary carotenoid sources and intake among subgroups of the US adult population in the previous decade. This study aimed to assess these trends using data from 22,339 adults who participated in NHANES 2009-2018 cycles. Carotenoid intake and major food sources were calculated by linking food consumption data from the 24 h diet recall to an FNDDS 2009-2018 and the USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (Release 28). Among US adults, mean (SE) dietary carotenoid intake was 9687.1 (158.0) mcg/day, and total intake was highest in men, non-smokers, moderate alcohol consumers, supplement users, and those with normal BMI, a PIR ≥ 1.85, and whose physical activity level was considered vigorous (p < 0.05). Carotenoid intake has gradually decreased over the past decade (p-trend: 0.097), especially among White adults (p-trend < 0.05), males (p-trend: 0.062), and those with a PIR of 1.0-1.3 (p-trend: 0.051), as have estimated rates of vitamin A adequacy. Tomatoes, carrots, and spinach were major food sources of carotenoids, and consumption of carrots and tomatoes decreased, while the consumption of lettuce, spinach, and salsa increased from 2009 to 2018. Our results warrant further studies investigating the consequences of the decreased tendencies of carotenoid intake on chronic disease risk, especially focusing on population subgroups exhibiting low or decreasing trends of carotenoid intake status.

Consumption of Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Its Relation to the Level of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Thai Subjects

The aim of the study is to determine dietary lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) consumption and to evaluate its association with macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in Thai subjects. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 120 ophthalmologically healthy subjects aged between 40 and 72 years were recruited from Bangkok and the vicinity area. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire, while a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire assessed the L/Z intake. MPOD was determined using the reflectometry method (VISUCAM 500®, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Pearson's correlation coefficient analyzed the relationship between L/Z consumption and MPOD. Results. The mean age of the participants was 50.7 ± 7.5 years. The mean consumption of L/Z was 3.03 ± 2.65 mg per day. The mean MPOD was 0.102 ± 0.023 density units. Consumption of foods rich in L/Z, including ivy gourd (r = 0.217, p < 0.05), Chinese flowering cabbage (r = 0.194, p < 0.05), balsam pear (r = 0.193, p < 0.05), lettuce (r = 0.182, p < 0.05), sweet corn (r = 0.181, p < 0.05), and pumpkin (r = 0.181, p < 0.05), was positively associated with the mean optical density (mean MPOD). Consumption of green onion (r = 0.212, p < 0.05) was positively associated with the sum of optical densities (MPOD volume). In contrast, chilli pepper consumption showed a negative association with mean MPOD (r = -0.220, p < 0.05) and amaranth showed a negative association with MPOD volume (r = -0.283, p < 0.05). No association was found between total L/Z consumption and MPOD. Conclusion. L/Z consumption is low among Thais living in Bangkok and the vicinity area, which may not be sufficient to ensure eye health, and total L/Z consumption is not associated with MPOD.

Consumption dietary sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin among young adults living in megapolis

Carotenoids are natural antioxidants, affecting apoptosis, absorbing active forms of oxygen, and improving visual performance through their blue light filtering capabilities. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids of the macular pigment that play a significant role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. We analyzed the dietary sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin of young adults living in a megapolis. We analyzed 431 food frequency questionnaires and used two different criteria for comparison: age (groups A1 and A2) and season (groups S1, spring, and S2, autumn). Raw red tomatoes and eggs are the main sources of carotenoids for the majority of respondents regardless of age and season. Significant differences between age groups were found for parsley, carrot, cheeseburger, and spring onion. Foods with high levels of carotenoids (tomato juice, pumpkin, spinach, and sprouts) were absent in the diets of most of the study participants. Watermelons and persimmons are seasonal sources of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Dietary sources of carotenoids are present in insufficient quantities in the diets. Foods with high levels of lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are absent or only occasionally included in the diet.

Association between Dietary Carotenoid Intake and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Adults Aged 30-75 Years Using Data from the Fourth and Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2011)

Age-related bone loss is a major public health problem. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the dietary intake of carotenoids and bone mineral density (BMD). Data from 8022 subjects (3763 males and 4259 females) aged 30–75 years included in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2011) were analyzed. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Intake of carotenoids was estimated using 24-h dietary recall. In multiple linear analysis, after adjusting for covariates, lutein + zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin intake was positively associated with total hip BMD in males and premenopausal women respectively, while β-carotene intake was positively correlated with femoral neck, total hip, and whole-body BMD in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women in the highest quintile of daily β-carotene intake, showed a lower risk of osteopenia at the lumbar spine (odds ratio (OR): 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16–0.79, P for trend = 0.009) than those in the lowest quintile, after adjusting for covariates. Daily β-cryptoxanthin intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of osteopenia at the total hip (OR per 1 mg/day increase: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59–0.97), and lumbar spine (OR per 1 mg/day increase: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70–0.89) in postmenopausal women. These results suggest that the dietary intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin may have a positive effect on bone health.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin-Food Sources, Bioavailability and Dietary Variety in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Protection

Lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) are the predominant carotenoids which accumulate in the retina of  the eye. The impact of L/Z intake on the risk and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD),  a leading cause of blindness in the developed world, has been investigated in cohort studies and clinical  trials. The aims of this review were to critically examine the literature and evaluate the current evidence  relating to L/Z intake and AMD, and describe important food sources and factors that increase the  bioavailability of L/Z, to inform dietary models. Cohort studies generally assessed L/Z from dietary  sources, while clinical trials focused on providing L/Z as a supplement. Important considerations to take  into account in relation to dietary L/Z include: nutrient-rich sources of L/Z, cooking methods, diet variety  and the use of healthy fats. Dietary models include examples of how suggested effective levels of L/Z can  be achieved through diet alone, with values of 5 mg and 10 mg per day described. These diet models  depict a variety of food sources, not only from dark green leafy vegetables, but also include pistachio nuts  and other highly bioavailable sources of L/Z such as eggs. This review and the diet models outlined  provide information about the importance of diet variety among people at high risk of AMD or with early  signs and symptoms of AMD.

Carotenoid intakes, assessed by food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), are associated with serum carotenoid concentrations in the Jackson Heart Study: validation of the Jackson Heart Study Delta NIRI Adult FFQs

OBJECTIVES

Intake and status of carotenoids have been associated with chronic disease. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between carotenoid intakes as measured by two regional food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and their corresponding measures in serum, and to report on dietary food sources of carotenoids in Jackson Heart Study (JHS) participants.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of data for 402 African American men and women participating in the Diet and Physical Activity Sub-Study (DPASS) of the JHS.

RESULTS

Mean serum carotenoid concentrations and intakes in this population were comparable to those reported for the general US population. After adjustment for covariates, correlations between serum and dietary measures of each carotenoid, for the average of the recalls (deattenuated), the short FFQ and the long FFQ, respectively, were: 035 and 0-carotene; 026 and 0-carotene; 017 and 0-carotene; 034 and 0-cryptoxanthin; 015 and 037, 014 for lycopene. Major dietary sources of -carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin, mustard, turnip and collard greens; of beta-cryptoxanthin, orange juice; and of lycopene, tomato juice.

CONCLUSIONS

On average, carotenoid intakes and serum concentrations are not lower in this southern African American population than the general US population. The two regional FFQs developed for a southern US population and used as dietary assessment tools in the JHS appear to provide reasonably valid information for most of these carotenoids.

Vitamin A equivalence of spirulina beta-carotene in Chinese adults as assessed by using a stable-isotope reference method

BACKGROUND

Spirulina is a high-protein food supplement that contains carotenoids.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the vitamin A equivalence of spirulina beta-carotene in humans.

DESIGN

Spirulina was grown in a 23 atom% (2)H(2)O cultural solution. Spirulina beta-carotene showed the greatest enrichment as [(2)H(10)]trans beta-carotene. Ten healthy Chinese men with a mean (+/-SD) serum retinol concentration of 1.7 +/- 0.3 micromol/L and a body mass index (in kg/m(2)) of 23 +/- 3 consumed 5.8 micromol [(13)C(10)]retinyl acetate in oil as a reference dose with a breakfast containing 13 g fat. One week later, each subject consumed 7.9 mumol trans beta-carotene in spirulina with a breakfast containing 22 g fat. All subjects followed diets low in carotenoid and vitamin A. Forty blood samples were collected from each subject over a span of 56 d. Concentrations and enrichments of retinol and beta-carotene in serum samples were determined by using HPLC and a mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

Compared with the serum response to [(13)C(10)]retinyl acetate dose, the mean conversion factor of spirulina beta-carotene to retinol was 4.5 +/- 1.6 (range: 2.3-6.9) by weight. It was estimated that 80% of the conversion occurred within the first 24 h after spirulina administration.

CONCLUSION

In a group of well-nourished, normal-weight Chinese men following low-vitamin A diets, 4.5 mg spirulina beta-carotene consumed with 22 g fat has the same vitamin A activity as does 1 mg retinyl acetate.

Dietary lutein, zeaxanthin, and fats and the progression of age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND

To estimate the effect of dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) and fats on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-four subjects identified with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were re-examined to determine 7-year AMD progression. Intakes of L/Z and fatty acids were estimated from food frequency questionnaires. Progression was defined by 3 different definitions, 2 quantitative and 1 qualitative, which varied in the stringency of the change required for the AMD to be deemed to have progressed. Covariates included age, smoking, AMD family history, source study, and follow-up duration.

RESULTS

Energy-adjusted L/Z intake as a continuous variable was associated with AMD progression in the worse affected eye when defined by the most stringent criterion (odds ratio [OR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-6.22, p = 0.02). Similar associations were observed for the 2 other progression definitions (p = 0.18 and p = 0.13). Energy-adjusted omega-3 fatty acid intake modelled as a quintile median was associated with AMD progression only in the side-by-side assessment (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.11-5.91, p = 0.03), with borderline significance in the other 2 definitions (p = 0.05 and p = 0.08). No association of AMD progression was observed with the intake of either total fat or other subgroups: saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated fats; trans fatty acids; or omega-6 fatty acids.

INTERPRETATION

The findings of the study are counterintuitive, suggesting that increased intakes of dietary L/Z and omega-3 fatty acids are associated with progression of AMD. These results may indicate that too much of a good thing might be harmful. It is possible that in this study participants adopted a more healthy diet, having been aware of their AMD status at the beginning of the study. This healthy diet was then reflected in the dietary questionnaire completed at the end of study. However, this explanation may not adequately explain why those whose AMD had progressed, on the basis of fundus signs and not symptoms such as visual acuity decline, adopted a healthier lifestyle more aggressively than those without progression.

Cultivation conditions and selenium fertilization alter the phenolic profile, glucosinolate, and sulforaphane content of broccoli

Broccoli is a food often consumed for its potential health-promoting properties. The health benefits of broccoli are partly associated with secondary plant compounds that have bioactivity; glucosinolates and phenolic acids are two of the most abundant and important in broccoli. In an effort to determine how variety, stress, and production conditions affect the production of these bioactive components broccoli was grown in the greenhouse with and without selenium (Se) fertilization, and in the field under conventional or organic farming procedures and with or without water stress. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to separate and identify 12 primary phenolic compounds. Variety had a major effect: There was a preponderance of flavonoids in the Majestic variety, but hydroxycinnamic esters were relatively more abundant in the Legacy variety. Organic farming and water stress decreased the overall production of phenolics. Se fertilization increased glucosinolates in general, and sulforaphane in particular, up to a point; above that Se fertilization decreased glucosinolate production. Organic farming and water stress also decreased glucosinolate production. These data show environmental and genetic variation in phenolics and glucosinolates in broccoli, and warn that not all broccoli may contain all health-promoting bioactive components. They further show that selection for one bioactive component (Se) may decrease the content of other bioactive components such as phenolics and glucosinolates.