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Plasma carotenoid concentrations in relation to acute respiratory infections in elderly people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Judith M. van der Horst-Graat ,
Frans J. Kok  and
Evert G. Schouten
Judith M. van der Horst-Graat
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen UniversityBomenweg 2, P.O. Box 8129, 6703 HD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Frans J. Kok
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen UniversityBomenweg 2, P.O. Box 8129, 6703 HD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Evert G. Schouten*
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen UniversityBomenweg 2, P.O. Box 8129, 6703 HD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author: fax +31 317 482782, Email Evert.Schouten@wur.nl
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Abstract

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A high plasma carotenoid concentration could improve the immune response and result in decreased risk of infectious diseases. However, data on the relationship of plasma carotenoid concentration with acute respiratory infections, which occur frequently in elderly people, are scarce. We investigated, therefore, the relationship of plasma concentrations of six major carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin) with the incidence and severity of acute respiratory infections. Baseline data from an intervention trial were used. Participants were 652 non-institutionalized elderly people (≥60 years old) enrolled via two community-based sampling strategies in the Wageningen area of The Netherlands in 1998–99. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were divided into quartiles, the lowest being the reference. Frequency and severity of episodes during the previous 1 year, i.e. staying in bed, medical consultation and episode-related medication, were self-reported by means of a questionnaire. On average 1·6 episodes per person were recorded. The incidence rate ratio of acute respiratory infections at high β-carotene status was 0·71 (95% CI 0·54–0·92) as compared with the low β-carotene concentration group. No association was observed between β-carotene and illness severity. α-Carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were not related to incidence or severity of the infections. We conclude that elderly people with a high plasma β-carotene concentration may have a lower occurrence of acute respiratory infections.

Keywords

Acute respiratory infectionCarotenoidsElderly people
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 92 , Issue 1 , July 2004 , pp. 113 - 118
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

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