Dietary and plasma levels of carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C in a group of young and middle-aged nonsupplemented women and men

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between dietary intake and plasma concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin C in young to middle-aged nonsupplemented women and men as well as evaluate their vitamin E and vitamin C status. Subjects included young (19–24 y) and middle-aged (25–50 y) men and women. The four age x gender groups had similar dietary intakes of β-carotene, α-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, vitamin E, and vitamin C. These four groups also had similar plasma β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-tocopherol, and vitamin C concentrations. The percentage of each group having low (<20 μmol/L) plasma vitamin E levels were: young females, 81%; middle-aged females, 63%; young males, 83%; and middle-aged males, 64%. All subjects but one had plasma vitamin C levels indicative of adequacy. Overall, 72% of subjects had less than acceptable vitamin E status, and 48% reported consuming less than the Estimated Average Requirement for the vitamin.