Plasma Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Retinol in the Age Stratified (35 74 Years) General Population: A Cross Sectional Study in Six European Countries
Blood micronutrient status may change with age. We analyzed plasma carotenoids, a /g tocopherol, and retinol and their associations with age, demographic characteristics, and dietary habits (assessed by a short food frequency questionnaire) in a cross sectional study of 2118 women and men (age stratified from 35 to 74 years) of the general population from six European countries. Higher age was associated with lower lycopene and a /b carotene and higher b cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, a /g tocopherol, and retinol levels. Significant correlations with age were observed for lycopene (r 0.248) a tocopherol (r 0.208) a carotene (r 0.112) and b cryptoxanthin (r 0.125; all p 0.001) Age was inversely associated with lycopene 6.5% per five year age increase) and this association remained in the multiple regression model with the significant predictors (covariables) being country, season, cholesterol, gender, smoking status, body mass index (BMI (kg/m2) and dietary habits. The positive association of a tocopherol with age remained when all covariates including cholesterol and use of vitamin supplements were included (1.7% vs. 2.4% per five year age increase) The association of higher b cryptoxanthin with higher age was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for fruit consumption, whereas the inverse association of a carotene with age remained in the fully adjusted multivariable model 4.8% vs. 3.8% per five year age increase) We conclude from our study that age is an independent predictor of plasma lycopene, a tocopherol, and a carotene.
Nutrients