Positive Health Online

Abstract

NELSON and colleagues, Division of Foods and Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, USA, jnelson@usoe.k12.ut.edu, have found that dietary changes and moderate antioxidant supplementation differentially affect serum carotenoids, antioxidant levels, and markers of oxidative stress in older people.

Background

Oxidative stress is thought to be a factor in the ageing process, and also in the progression of chronic diseases. This study examined the effect of two moderate vitamin, mineral and phytochemical supplements and a dietary intervention on markers of oxidative stress in older people.

Methodology

60 subjects aged 65-85 were enrolled in a 5-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. They were randomly assigned to on of four groups: Antioxidant supplement capsule, antioxidant supplement tablet, high carotenoid diet, or placebo.

Results

Serum levels post intervention of some of the supplemented carotenoids and vitamin E were higher in all the treated groups compared to the placebo group and to pre intervention levels. Markers of oxidative stress or antioxidant capacity were not significantly different from pre intervention levels although the diet and supplement capsule groups had lower levels of some of these markers than the placebo group post intervention.

Conclusion

Both moderate antioxidant supplementation and a diet rich in carotenoids elevate serum carotenoid and antioxidant levels in older people, although with different specific effects.

References

Nelson JL, Bernstein PS, Schmidt MC, Von Tress MS, Askew EW. Dietary modification and moderate antioxidant supplementation differentially affect serum carotenoids, antioxidant levels and markers of oxidative stress. The Journal of Nutrition 133 (10): 3117-3123, Oct 2003.