Carotenoids in blood and oxidative stress markers in women
What it found
Higher levels of carotenoids in the blood were linked to lower amounts of oxidative stress markers in urine among postmenopausal women.
Carotenoid supplements showed a similar link, but carotenoids from food did not.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood carotenoids and stress markers
Women with the highest total carotenoid levels in their blood had lower amounts of an oxidative stress marker in their urine. This pattern was clearest for alpha-carotene and beta-carotene.
Lutein and zeaxanthin effects
Lutein and zeaxanthin in the blood were linked to lower levels of both oxidative stress and inflammation markers in urine. The authors suggest these specific carotenoids may have extra anti-inflammatory effects.
Beta-carotene supplements
Taking beta-carotene supplements was linked to lower levels of both oxidative stress and inflammation markers in urine. Most women taking higher doses reported using them daily.
Dietary carotenoids from food
The amount of carotenoids women reported eating in their food was not linked to the stress markers in their urine. The authors note that questionnaires may not capture how much the body actually absorbs.
Stronger links with illness
The link between blood carotenoids and lower stress markers appeared stronger in women who already had a chronic illness. These included conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or cancer.
What the authors conclude
- They found that higher carotenoid levels in the blood were linked to lower oxidative stress markers in urine.
- They suggest the benefits of most carotenoids come mainly from antioxidant effects, while lutein and zeaxanthin may also reduce inflammation.
- They note that beta-carotene supplements were linked to lower stress markers, but diet alone was not.
How it was done
Carotenoids might help protect against long-term illnesses by reducing oxidative stress or inflammation. The authors wanted to see if carotenoid levels matched up with markers of these processes in the body.
They looked at 512 postmenopausal women from a large US study of sisters of breast cancer patients. They measured carotenoids in fasting blood samples and oxidative stress markers in first-morning urine. They also asked about food intake over the previous 12 months and supplement use.
What it can’t tell you
- Because blood and urine were collected at the same time, this cannot show whether carotenoids caused the lower stress markers.
- This only looked at postmenopausal women, so it cannot show what happens in men or younger women.
- A survey tracking people over time can show a link, but it cannot prove cause and effect.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by NIEHS NIH HHS; Intramural NIH HHS; NIH HHS (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- Conflicts of interest/Competing interests : None reported.
- Authors work at
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA; University of North Carolina, USA
The paper
- Title
- Association of dietary and plasma carotenoids with urinary F 2 -isoprostanes
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Park YM, Lilyquist J, Van't Erve TJ, et al (2022). Association of dietary and plasma carotenoids with urinary F 2 -isoprostanes. European journal of nutrition. doi:10.1007/s00394-022-02837-8Free full textPubMed 35253072DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error