Dietary Carotenoid Intake and Osteoporosis: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2018

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-8-2021

Publication Title

Archives of Osteoporosis

Volume

17

Issue

1

Abstract

Summary: Higher intake of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were associated with lower risk of osteoporosis. A very high intake of lutein + zeaxanthin was also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis. These results support the beneficial role of carotenoids on bone health. Purpose: To examine the associations of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin intake with the risk of osteoporosis based on the cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005–2018. Methods: This study identified individuals ≥ 50 years old with valid and complete data on carotenoid intake and bone mineral density (BMD). Intake of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein + zeaxanthin was averaged from two 24-h recall interviews. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and converted to T-scores; osteoporosis was defined as a T-score ≤ − 2.5. We used logistic regression models to test the associations between carotenoids and osteoporosis, adjusting for factors such as age, sex, race, and education. Results: Participants were on average 61.9 years of age, with 57.5% identifying as females. Higher quintiles of β-carotene (odds ratio [OR] for quintile 5 vs. 1:0.33; 95% CI: 0.19–0.59; P for trend = 0.010) and β-cryptoxanthin intake (OR for quintile 5 vs. 1:0.61; 95% CI: 0.39–0.97; P for trend = 0.037) were associated with reduced risk of osteoporosis. Similar and marginally significant results for lutein + zeaxanthin intake was found (OR for quintile 5 vs. 1:0.53; 95% CI: 0.30–0.94; P for trend = 0.076). There was no association of α-carotene and lycopene intake with osteoporosis. These associations did not differ by sex (all P_interaction > 0.05). Conclusions: Higher β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin intake was associated with decreased osteoporosis risk. A very high intake of lutein + zeaxanthin was also associated with lower risk of osteoporosis.

Keywords

Bone mineral density; Carotenoids; Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry; NHANES; Osteoporosis

Disciplines

Nutrition | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

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