A cross-sectional study reveals that high concentration of serum carotenoids – is positively correlated to higher bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults, especially in women.

In this large study, 1898 women and 933 men aged 50-75 years were recruited and the follow-up study was done after a mean interval of 3.1 years. The individual analysis of serum alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and lutein was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the bone mineral density (BMD) at whole body, lumbar spine, total hip, femur regions (neck and trochanter).

The results demonstrate that high level of alpha-carotene, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin are associated with increased BMD at most skeletal sites in women. Additionally, higher alpha-carotene level is significantly associated with higher BMD in total hip and its sub-regions. In fact when comparing the lowest and highest quartile of alpha-carotene in women, the percentage differences of mean BMD values are 2.3% for both total hip and femur neck, 2.7% and 2.4% for femur regions (ie: trochanter and intertrochanter respectively). By contrast, in men, only high serum alpha-carotene is significantly associated with increased BMD at all sites except for lumbar spine. And when comparing to the lowest quartile in men, the mean BMDs in the highest quartile of alpha-carotene is 2.6 – 4.0% higher. However, interestingly, serum lutein and zeaxanthin show no significant association with BMD in either sex.

“Women are generally at higher risk of losing bone mass as women have smaller bones compared to men. In addition, the level of estrogen (ie: hormone that confers bone protection) in women reduces significantly when they reach menopause. Based on the results, it is suggested that the increased intake of mixed carotenoid with high content of alpha-carotene benefit both women and men, especially women who are more prone to bone mass loss,” says CheeYen Lau, Nutritionist at ExcelVite.

“EVTene™ is a natural palm mixed carotenoids that contain highest concentration of alpha-carotene among all commercial carotenoids products. The high content of alpha-carotene together with a wholesome array of multi carotenoids in EVTene™ may contribute to strengthening of the bones. Another interesting and unique attribute of EVTene™ is that its carotenoids composition mirrors that of carrots. No other commercial source of carotene has such multi-carotenoids composition, making EVTene™ as the only true mixed or multi-carotenoids in the market,” – ExcelVite.

EVTene™ is available in various forms to cater to different applications (e.g. softgel, capsule, tablet, powdered drink). Hence, it can be combined with other bone protective ingredients – to develop a novel combination for Bone Health.

Source:
Zhang Z. Q., et.al. (2016). Greater serum carotenoid concentration associated with higher bone mineral density in Chinese adults. Osteoporos Int: 27(4):1593-601. doi: 10.1007/s00198-015-3425-2

Disclaimer : The statements in the above article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.