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Carotenoid intakes, assessed by food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), are associated with serum carotenoid concentrations in the Jackson Heart Study: validation of the Jackson Heart Study Delta NIRI Adult FFQs

Authors :
Sameera A. Talegawkar
Herman A. Taylor
Elizabeth J. Johnson
Katherine L. Tucker
Margaret L. Bogle
T. Carithers
Source :
Public Health Nutrition. 11:989-997
Publication Year :
2008
Publisher :
Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2008.

Abstract

Approximately 600 different carotenoids are known to exist in nature(1). Whereas plants, fungi, algae and bacteria can synthesise these compounds, animals cannot and therefore need to obtain them from their diet(2). The only clearly proven function of carotenoids in humans is their provitamin A activity. The major carotenoids found in human sera are α- and β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin. Of these, α- and β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin have provitamin A activity(3). Recently, non provitamin A-related activities of carotenoids have received attention. These include possible contribution to reducing the risk for diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD)(4–6), cancer(7–9), cognitive decline(10), age-related macular degeneration and cataract(11–13). However, many of these associations are yet to be proved conclusively. CVD has been a dominant cause of death in the USA for the past 50 or more years. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third specific causes of death in this country. Within the USA, African Americans have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from CVD, and the south-eastern part of the USA has the highest rates of hospitalisations due to stroke and heart failure(14). Much of the available data relating risk factors and CVD have come from predominantly white populations(15). The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) was therefore initiated to investigate the causes of CVD in an all African American cohort based in Jackson, Mississippi(16). Given the health disparities that exist among African Americans with respect to CVD and the protective role that carotenoid intake and status may play in the prevention of this group of diseases, the objectives of the current study were: To assess the dietary intake and serum concentrations of α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein plus zeaxanthin, and lycopene among participants of the Diet and Physical Activity Sub-Study (DPASS) of the JHS using three dietary assessment tools – two regional food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and four 24 h recalls. To evaluate the associations between carotenoid intake measures and serum concentrations. To identify the relative contributions of foods to carotenoid intakes in this population.

Details

ISSN :
14752727 and 13689800
Volume :
11
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Public Health Nutrition
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....2b4a73ddeb366a2d9c66aa5a2e2422b8
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980007001310