Carotenoids May Protect Against Metabolic Syndrome

SHIZUOKA, Japan—A study at the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science, Shizuoka, Japan, found antioxidant carotenoids may have a protective effect against development of metabolic syndrome, especially in current smokers (Brit J Nutr. 2008) (DOI: 10.1017/S0007114508978302). A total of 1073 male and female subjects participated in the study. The OR for the metabolic syndrome in the highest tertile of serum beta-carotene was 0.41, after adjusting confounders. In current smokers, significantly lower OR were observed in the middle and highest tertiles of serum beta-carotene. Furthermore, lower OR were observed in accordance with tertiles of serum alpha-carotene (P for trend 0.042) and beta-cryptoxanthin (P for trend 0.036) in current smokers. In contrast, in non-smokers, a significantly lower OR was observed in the highest tertile of serum beta-carotene after multiple adjustments. Inverse associations of serum carotenoids with the metabolic syndrome were more evident among current smokers than non-smokers.