07.01.04
Indication: Cardiovascular disease
Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 2004;24:313-319.
Research: Researchers used sophisticated ultrasound techniques to measure the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid artery of 573 middle-aged subjects who were free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease at baseline. They also measured the subjects’ blood levels of several antioxidant carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E. After 18 months, the subjects’ IMT was again measured. Changes in IMT were correlated with subjects’ blood levels of individual antioxidants.
Results: High blood levels of several carotenoids were strongly associated with reduced IMT progression over the 18-month study. High blood levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene were associated with significant reductions in IMT progression. Blood levels of beta-carotene, lycopene and vitamins A, C and E were not significantly correlated with reduced IMT progression. In addition, higher blood levels of all carotenoids, except zeaxanthin and vitamin C, were associated with lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation related to heart attack risk.
Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 2004;24:313-319.
Research: Researchers used sophisticated ultrasound techniques to measure the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid artery of 573 middle-aged subjects who were free of symptomatic cardiovascular disease at baseline. They also measured the subjects’ blood levels of several antioxidant carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E. After 18 months, the subjects’ IMT was again measured. Changes in IMT were correlated with subjects’ blood levels of individual antioxidants.
Results: High blood levels of several carotenoids were strongly associated with reduced IMT progression over the 18-month study. High blood levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene were associated with significant reductions in IMT progression. Blood levels of beta-carotene, lycopene and vitamins A, C and E were not significantly correlated with reduced IMT progression. In addition, higher blood levels of all carotenoids, except zeaxanthin and vitamin C, were associated with lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation related to heart attack risk.