Abstract

Carotenoid-rich foods focus one's attention on the prevention age-related diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the carotenoid status and look into the factors that affect the bioavailability of carotenoid in 121 elderly nonsmoking Korean women. Carotenoids and lipids in plasma, and nutrient intakes including carotenoid were studied. The mean plasma total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were 220.0 mg/dl, 49.5 mg/dl, 139.2 mg/dl and 157.4 mg/dl, respectively. Significantly positive correlations were found between the plasma lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene and beta-carotene concentrations and the intake of fruits (r = 0.17, r = 0.20, r = 0.19). However, significantly negative correlations were found between the plasma lutein+zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene concentrations that adjusted for carotenoid intakes and intakes of vegetables (r = - 0.21, r = - 0.19), and between plasma lutein+zeaxanthin, lycopene and beta-carotene concentrations that adjusted for carotenoid intakes and intakes of fruits (r = - 0.21, r = - 0.18, r = - 0.24). After the adjustment for plasma lipids, there was no correlation between the plasma carotenoid concentrations and the carotenoid-rich foods. However, after adjustment for fiber intake, significantly strong positive correlations were found between the plasma carotenoid concentrations and carotenoid-rich foods. The plasma levels of carotenoid biomarkers (plasma carotenoid concentrations adjusted for dietary fiber intakes) decreased with age, and the plasma levels of lycopene biomarkers (plasma lycopene concentrations adjusted for dietary fiber intakes) increased with regular exercise. However alcohol drinking had no impact. These results suggested that age, physical activity, and dietary fiber intake affected the bioavailability of carotenoid. Therefore, when the elderly have carotenoid-rich foods, they should consider ways of increasing the bioavailability of carotenoid through cooking methods and physical activity.

• Keywords: carotenoid bioavailability; lutein + zeaxanthin; lycopene; beta-carotene; age; physical activity