11.01.12
Nutraceutical: Carotenoids
Indication: Stroke risk
Source: Neurology, Oct. 9, 2012;79:1540-1547
Research: Intake of fruits and vegetables and levels of serum carotenoids have been associated with decreased risk of stroke, but the results have been inconsistent. This study intended to examine whether serum concentrations of major carotenoids, α-tocopherol and retinol, are related to any stroke and ischemic stroke in men. The study population consisted of 1,031 Finnish men aged 46-65 years in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor cohort. Serum concentrations of carotenoids retinol and α-tocopherol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The association between the serum concentrations of lycopene α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and retinol and the risk of strokes was studied using Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: A total of 67 strokes occurred; 50 of these were ischemic strokes during a median of 12.1 follow-up years. After adjustment for age, examination year, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, smoking, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes and history of stroke, men in the highest quartile of serum lycopene concentrations had 59% and 55% lower risks of ischemic stroke and any stroke compared with men in the lowest quartile; α-Carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and retinol were not related to the risk of strokes. Researchers concluded this prospective study shows that high serum concentrations of lycopene, as a marker of intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products, may decrease the risk of any stroke and ischemic stroke in men.
Indication: Stroke risk
Source: Neurology, Oct. 9, 2012;79:1540-1547
Research: Intake of fruits and vegetables and levels of serum carotenoids have been associated with decreased risk of stroke, but the results have been inconsistent. This study intended to examine whether serum concentrations of major carotenoids, α-tocopherol and retinol, are related to any stroke and ischemic stroke in men. The study population consisted of 1,031 Finnish men aged 46-65 years in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor cohort. Serum concentrations of carotenoids retinol and α-tocopherol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The association between the serum concentrations of lycopene α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and retinol and the risk of strokes was studied using Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: A total of 67 strokes occurred; 50 of these were ischemic strokes during a median of 12.1 follow-up years. After adjustment for age, examination year, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, smoking, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes and history of stroke, men in the highest quartile of serum lycopene concentrations had 59% and 55% lower risks of ischemic stroke and any stroke compared with men in the lowest quartile; α-Carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and retinol were not related to the risk of strokes. Researchers concluded this prospective study shows that high serum concentrations of lycopene, as a marker of intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products, may decrease the risk of any stroke and ischemic stroke in men.
