Low Serum Total Carotenoids and β-Cryptoxanthin Are Associated with Low Lean Body Mass in Older Community-Dwellers in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging: A 4-Y Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: Although diets rich in carotenoids are associated with muscle health and a reduced risk of disability, the relationship between carotenoids and low lean body mass has not been fully elucidated.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and low lean body mass over 4 y in older Japanese community-dwellers.

Methods: A total of 750 adults aged ≥60 y participated in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging. Individuals with a low lean body mass and muscle strength or gait speed at baseline were excluded. Baseline serum α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and lycopene were measured. Low lean body mass was defined as appendicular lean mass relative to the measured height (ALM/ht²) of <7.0 kg/m² in males and <5.4 kg/m² in females, according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. A generalized estimating equation was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for low lean body mass according to tertiles of total and individual carotenoids at baseline, adjusted for sex, age, season, follow-up months, education years, economic status, current smoking status, a history of ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic equivalents.

Results: Low serum total carotenoids were associated with low ALM/ht², and the odds ratios of low ALM/ht² in the third tertile of total carotenoids were significantly lower than those in the first tertile after adjusting for covariates. The odds ratios of low ALM/ht² in the third tertile of β-cryptoxanthin were significantly associated with those in the first tertile after adjusting for covariates (P = 0.03); however, no trend was observed for this relationship.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that low serum total carotenoids and serum β-cryptoxanthin are associated with low lean body mass in older Japanese community-dwellers.

Keywords: NILS-LSA; aging; carotenoids; lean body mass; longitudinal study.