Association between dietary carotenoid intakes and abdominal aortic calcification in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014

Abstract Objective Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an important marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to explore the association between carotenoid intakes and AAC. Methods We included 2889 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary carotenoid intakes were obtained through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Severe AAC was defined as a Kauppila score > 5. The main analysis utilizes logistic and restricted cubic spline models. Result Severe AAC was detected in 378 (13.08%) participants. In fully adjusted models, the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoid intakes for individuals with severe AAC were 0.53 (0.23–0.77), 0.39 (0.19–0.80), 0.18 (0.05–0.62), 0.40 (0.20–0.78), 0.53 (0.32–0.88) and 0.38 (0.18–0.77) in the highest versus lowest quartile intake, respectively. Dose–response analyses revealed that all of the carotenoids were associated with decreased risk of severe AAC in a nonlinear trend. Total carotenoid intakes of at least 100ug/kg/day were associated with decreased odds for severe AAC. Conclusion α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein with zeaxanthin and total carotenoids were inversely associated with the risk of severe AAC in adults.