High Carotenoid Dietary Intake Increases Leukocyte Telomere Length

01 Mar 2016 --- A new study demonstrates that increased level of blood carotenoids (i.e.: high consumption of carotenoid-rich foods) increases telomere length, which decreases risk of age-related diseases.

Telomere length acts as a biomarker for age-related diseases. Shorter telomere length is associated with aging, cancer and a higher risk of developing age–related disease, and vice versa.

CheeYen Lau, Nutritionist at ExcelVite – global producer and supplier of carotenoids, explains: “Telomeres are specialized structures at the end of the chromosomes to protect the loss of our genetic data during cell division.” 

“Unfortunately, the length of the telomeres shortens each time after cell division and the shortening process is associated with aging, cancer and a higher risk of death. Hence, it is crucial to preserve the length of telomeres to ensure proper cell functions. The length of the telomere determines the life expectancy of the cell by regulating the number of replications that a cell undergoes. 

In this study, 3660 US participants aged 20 years and above were recruited in the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The concentration of carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans + cis), beta-cryptoxanthin, combined lutein/zeaxanthin and trans-lycopene) were measured by high–performance liquid chromatography. 

DNA samples were extracted from whole blood and the leukocyte telomere length (T/S ratio), which was determined by the ratio of telomere repeat copy number (T) to the single-copy gene (S) copy number (T/S ratio) as control to normalize DNA. 

From the results, it was found that blood alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans+ cis) and beta-cryptoxanthin were significantly associated with 1.76%, 2.22% and 2.02% longer telomeres respectively. However, blood lutein/zeaxanthin and trans-lycopene did not show any statistical significance. 

Additionally, when comparing to the lowest carotenoid (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans+ cis) and beta-cyptoxanthin) quartiles, the telomere length increased from 5-8% in the highest carotenoid quartiles.
 
 “The results from this study are very encouraging as high dietary intakes of carotenoids, especially alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, increase telomere lengths, which suggests reduced aging and risks for age-related diseases or better health,” says Lau.

“This study highlights the importance of attaining high content of carotenoids from natural diets to minimize aging and age-related health problems. High intake of carotenoids can be achieved via dietary supplements, as a convenient way to help increase the plasma concentration of carotenoids,” says Bryan See, Regional Product Manager, ExcelVite.

According to the company, EVTene is the “only true natural mixed carotenoid complex, concentrated from the fruit of oil palm.” It has similar carotenoid composition to carrots, and thus “it is a true natural source of alpha- and beta-carotene.” 

“Additionally, food and beverage companies may consider fortifying food products with EVTene (as a natural colorant) for its added health benefits to their consumers,” added See.