Utilizing information from the NHANES research, researchers in China prompt that larger ranges of all serum carotenoids, besides lycopene, had been related to decrease BMI and a decrease prevalence of weight problems in 1,329 kids and adolescents.
Nonetheless, the cross-sectional design of the research and the mechanisms of carotenoid storage and metabolism restrict any inference to causality.
“These findings present preliminary proof for the doable relevance of carotenoids in pediatric adiposity and underscore the necessity for future longitudinal and mechanistic research to verify these associations and additional discover the differential roles of particular person carotenoids,” the researchers wrote.
Carotenoids and well being
There are over 700 distinct carotenoids which were recognized, however six of them comprise 95% of all carotenoids current in human plasma or serum – α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.
Carotenoids contribute to the physique’s vitamin A necessities and shield towards oxidative stress. Research means that they’re useful for eye and pores and skin well being, in addition to for decreasing the chance of heart problems, most cancers and kind 2 diabetes.
Commenting on the present research in a press launch, Dr. Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist at PhytoGaia, underscored the significance of enhancing dietary high quality in formative years.
“Carotenoids can’t be produced by the physique, we now have to acquire them from our weight-reduction plan,” she mentioned. “This discovering means that larger carotenoid ranges, notably β-carotene, are related to considerably decrease charges of weight problems in kids. Past their well-known position in eye and pores and skin well being, carotenoids can also assist more healthy weight and metabolic stability.”
Too early to suggest supplementation
The cross-sectional design of the research captures information at a single time level, which suggests a causal relationship has not been established.
Talking with NutraIngredients, Dr. Aris defined that overweight people could retailer extra carotenoids in fats tissue, leading to decrease circulating ranges, which underscores the complexity of the connection.
The researchers famous that diminished carotenoid concentrations in people with larger adiposity could not solely be as a consequence of higher storage in adipose tissue but additionally to an elevated utilization of carotenoids as a protection mechanism towards elevated oxidative stress.
Due to these mechanisms, “the opportunity of reverse causality can’t be excluded, as weight problems can also affect serum carotenoid concentrations by means of altered storage, metabolism and dietary behaviors,” they wrote.
The research advisable additional longitudinal and interventional research to verify these associations and cautioned that “it’s untimely to suggest carotenoid supplementation or to revise dietary pointers particularly concentrating on high-carotenoid meals.”
Supply: BMC Pediatr. 2025 Aug 10;25:617. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05983-0. “Inverse relationship between serum carotenoid ranges and weight problems prevalence in kids and adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional evaluation”. Authors: Z. Chen et al.
