Breaking News 1/26/06
VRP Staff
Carotenoids can significantly prevent the DNA damage that is associated with degenerative diseases, a new study in postmenopausal women indicates.
The oxidative stress responsible for DNA damage is implicated in the development of chronic diseases related to aging such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Since carotenoids are known to protect against oxidative stress, researchers undertook the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine if carotenoids could protect against DNA damage.
The 56-day study included 37 healthy, nonsmoking postmenopausal women ages 50 to 70 years. The subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups. One group consumed mixed carotenoids (4 mg each of beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene). Another three groups consumed 12 mg of a single carotenoid (either beta-carotene, lutein, or lycopene). The last group consumed a placebo. Researchers then measured plasma carotenoid concentrations and DNA damage in lymphocytes, cells which play an important role in immunity.
At day 57, all carotenoid-supplemented groups showed significantly lower endogenous DNA damage than at baseline, whereas the placebo group did not show any significant change. Significantly less endogenous DNA damage was found as early as day 15 in the mixed carotenoid and beta-carotene-only groups.
Reference:
hao X, Aldini G, Johnson EJ, Rasmussen H, Kraemer K, Woolf H, Musaeus N, Krinsky NI, Russell RM, Yeum KJ. Modification of lymphocyte DNA damage by carotenoid supplementation in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jan;83(1):163-9.
