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Skin total carotenoids predict plasma carotenoid levels during a 28‐week experimental feeding study with varying levels of vegetables and fruit
Author(s) -
Jahns Lisa,
Whigham Leah,
Johnson LuAnn,
Mayne Susan T,
Cartmel Brenda,
Ermakov Igor,
Gellermann Werner
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.230.7
Subject(s) - carotenoid , zoology , chemistry , food science , biology
Objective biomarkers are needed to assess adherence to vegetable and fruit intervention trials. This study compared plasma carotenoid concentrations to non‐invasive skin carotenoid assessments. Thirty participants consumed a low‐carotenoid diet (6 wk, Phases 1 & 3), a provided diet containing 6 c/day vegetables and fruit (8 wk, Phase 2) and their usual diet (final 8 wks, Phase 4). Skin was measured 5x/wk during Phase 2 and at least 2x/wk for the duration. Plasma carotenoids were measured at baseline and mid and end of each phase. Skin and plasma carotenoid levels decreased (p<0.01) by a third from baseline to end of phase 1, then increased (p<0.01) over 300% at end of phase 2. Plasma carotenoids returned to baseline concentrations at the end of phase 3 and skin carotenoid levels by end of phase 4. At baseline, skin and plasma total carotenoid values were significantly correlated (p <0.01). Skin carotenoid status significantly predicted plasma values using a mixed linear model including all 9 time points (p < 0.001), indicating that changes in skin carotenoid status closely follow changes in plasma across a broad range of intakes. At the individual level, skin carotenoids predicted plasma values as strongly (p < 0.001). This study supports the use of skin carotenoid status as an objective indicator for interventions involving carotenoids or fruit/vegetable intake. Support: USDA‐ARS