Carotenoids may protect against atherosclerosis

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Carotenoids may protect

against

atherosclerosis

 

 

A recent study

associates high blood levels of several carotenoids, specifically

lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene, with the

reduced progression of atherosclerosis.

 

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of

Southern California, Los Angeles went forward with the study because

“recent epidemiologic and animal model data suggest that oxygenated

carotenoids are protective against early atherosclerosis.” They

assessed the association between atherosclerotic progression by

measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery wall and

plasma levels of oxygenated and hydrocarbon carotenoids, tocopherols,

retinol, and ascorbic acid.

 

Study participants were from a cohort of 573 middle-aged women and men

who were free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Ultrasound examination of the common carotid arteries, lipid level

determination and risk factor assessment were performed at baseline and

at the 18-month follow-up.

 

Researchers noted significant changes in IMT, related to the amount of

lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and alpha-carotene in the

blood. Even after adjusting for additional cardiac risk factors, the

changes remained significant, leading researchers to state, “These

findings suggest that higher levels of plasma oxygenated carotenoids

(lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin) and alpha-carotene may be

protective against early atherosclerosis.”

 

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24(2):313-319, 2004

 

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