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.

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/ht) of <7.0 kg/m in males and <5.4 kg/m 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/ht, and the odds ratios of low ALM/ht 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/ht 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.