Reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome by over 50% with carotenoids
Added 04.05.2009
A new study published last month in the Journal of Nutrition says that we can lower our risk of developing metabolic syndrome by as much as 58% by taking carotenoids, especially lycopene.
Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Affecting about 15 percent of Europeans, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health disorders that increase the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. According to the American Heart Association these health disorders consist of:- Excess fat in the abdominal area.
- High triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
- High blood pressure.
- Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance.
- A tendency towards the formation of blood clots.
- Proinflammatory state characterised by increased levels of C-reactive protein.
The Scientific Study
Background information
374 male participants between the ages of 40 and 80 and of which 22 percent had metabolic syndrome, were given carotenoids including alpha- and beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Results
Participants with the highest average intake of all carotenoids had a 58% reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome and the highest consumption of lycopene resulted in a 45% lower incidence of the syndrome. The study also showed that intake of all carotenoids resulted in lower waist circumferences and visceral subcutaneous fat mass while lycopene consumption resulted in lower triglyceride levels.
How you can get sufficient amounts of carotenoids.
Carotenoids are a group of more than 500 yellow, orange or red fat-soluble pigments found naturally in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes and pumpkins that act as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in our bodies. You could try to get your daily dose of carotenoids from these food sources but chances are, unless you consume huge quantities of organic fruits and vegetables, you won't be able to get the amounts necessary to reduce risk of metabolic syndrome and all other health benefits that carotenoids are linked to, such as osteoarthritis, asthma, some types of cancer, eye disorders, anti-aging and sunburns.So what can you do? There is a much better way to ensure you are getting your daily dose of mixed carotenoids and that is by taking high quality nutritional supplements that contain a mixture of natural carotenoids in the precise dose like Doctor's Natural Vitamins.
References:
Sluijs, I. & all. "Dietary carotenoid intake associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men." Journal of Nutrition. Volume 139, Issue 5, pp. 987-992. March, 2009.
American Heart Association
American Heart Association
