Abstract
Objective: To quantify the major carotenoids in plasma of Scottish males and establish which were affected by habitual smoking.
Design: Concentrations of carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E (alpha and gamma-tocopherol) were determined in plasma samples from 50 fasted male smokers and 50 age-matched males who had never smoked (aged 50-59 years).
Results: Significantly less alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C in plasma of smokers than in never-smokers whereas concentrations of lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, phytofluene and vitamin E were similar between the groups.
Conclusion: Whether lower carotenoid and vitamin C concentrations in smokers than never-smokers reflect different dietary patterns or increased metabolic turnover is unclear but smokers may benefit from increased carotenoid and vitamin C intakes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 861-865 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - Nov 1995 |
Keywords
- plasma carotenoids
- smokers
- lipid-peroxidation
- nonsmokers
- alcohol
- retinol
- plasma caretonoids