Recently, a research team from West China Hospital of Sichuan University conducted an in-depth analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2018, involving 19,280 participants. The results showed that carotenoids have a significant effect in slowing down the acceleration of phenotypic aging, with β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin being particularly notable. This indicates that these natural pigments have great potential in the field of anti-aging.
Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments widely found in algae, fungi, bacteria, and plants. More than 700 natural carotenoids have been identified. Based on their chemical structure, carotenoids can be divided into two categories: one that contains only carbon and hydrogen elements without oxygen (such as α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene), and another that consists of their oxidized derivatives containing oxygen functional groups like hydroxyl, keto, carboxyl, and methoxy groups (such as lutein and zeaxanthin). Among the carotenoids circulating in human blood, six types—α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin—account for more than 95%.
A study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data explored the relationship between dietary carotenoid intake and the biological aging process. The research obtained carotenoid intake levels by analyzing dietary data and assessed biological age using the PhenoAge and Klemera-Doubal (KDM) methods.
The results showed that higher dietary carotenoid levels were significantly associated with a slower rate of biological aging, suggesting that carotenoids have potential anti-aging effects. Further analysis revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between carotenoid levels and the acceleration of biological age, indicating that their protective effect is enhanced at higher intake levels.
Research results indicate that β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin have particularly significant effects in anti-aging. Additionally, the anti-aging effects of carotenoids vary among different populations. Specifically, younger individuals (under 60 years old), women, patients with hypertension, and patients with diabetes benefit more significantly from high levels of carotenoid intake, which helps to slow down the process of biological aging.
Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a gradual decline in physiological functions and an increased susceptibility to diseases. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors driving the aging process. Carotenoids, due to their molecular structure containing numerous conjugated double bonds, possess strong antioxidant capabilities. They can effectively neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, thereby eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as peroxide radicals and singlet oxygen in the body, playing a crucial role in promoting healthy aging.
The anti-aging potential of carotenoids is primarily based on their ability to promote the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the cell nucleus. Once Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus, it initiates the transcription of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. Additionally, as cells divide, their telomeres gradually shorten until cell death occurs, and ROS and inflammation accelerate this telomere shortening. It has been reported that a high dietary intake of β-carotene is associated with longer telomere length.
Carotenoids, due to their strong coloring power and stable hues, are widely used in various fields, such as colorants for beverages, candies, and other foods, as well as nutritional additives in children’s foods. Carotenoids not only possess vitamin A activity but also contribute to cardiovascular and skin health. They play an important role in physiological regulation and disease prevention in the human body.
Carotenoids help protect cardiovascular health by inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), preventing the development of atherosclerosis, and protecting vascular cells from oxidative damage, thereby maintaining vascular function. Among these, lycopene and lutein have significant benefits in this regard. A meta-analysis found that individuals with dietary intake of lycopene had a 17% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The effect of lutein is 15 times that of lycopene and 10 times that of β-carotene, effectively preventing lipid peroxidation.
Photoaging is primarily caused by environmental factors and manifests as decreased skin elasticity, abnormal pigmentation, dryness, and itching. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key trigger, accelerating skin aging by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which disrupt the skin’s protective and repair functions. Studies have shown that supplementing with carotenoids can effectively prevent UV-induced ROS formation. For example, astaxanthin enhances skin health and exerts anti-photoaging effects by inhibiting oxidative damage. It can suppress melanin synthesis, reduce pigmentation, increase skin moisture, and improve dry skin. Research indicates that oral intake of astaxanthin can reduce age spots and wrinkles, and improve skin hydration and elasticity. Additionally, astaxanthin can decrease UV-induced skin damage, reduce moisture loss and rashes, and protect skin health.
Dietary intake of carotenoids is considered a fundamental strategy for preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene exhibits hepatoprotective properties against various liver diseases, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The liver-protective effects of lycopene primarily stem from its strong antioxidant capabilities, which effectively inhibit cell damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, studies have indicated that β-carotene, one of the most abundant carotenoids in the liver, demonstrates significant hepatoprotective effects. Increasing dietary intake of β-carotene can significantly reduce the risk of hepatic steatosis and free radical-mediated liver cell damage.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common vision-impairing disease primarily caused by degenerative damage to the photoreceptors in mature individuals. It has become the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 65. It is predicted that by 2040, the globalprevalence of AMD will increase to nearly 288 million people[6].
Early manifestations of AMD include decreased vision, reduced contrast sensitivity, and diminished visual acuity, characterized by a gradual decline in functional vision as the condition progresses. Carotenoids play a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of the macular region. Among the various carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to cross the blood-retinal barrier and accumulate in the retina to form macular pigment, a process essential for macular protection.
Additionally, astaxanthin, a member of the lutein family primarily found in marine organisms, is believed to have potential protective effects against light-induced retinal damage and dysfunction. Due to its unique molecular structure, astaxanthin can traverse the cell bilayer membrane, effectively scavenging reactive oxygen species in both the inner and outer layers of cells, thereby providing a defense mechanism against oxidative stress for the retina.
参考来源:
[1]https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-024-10160-4
[2]https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/20/15199
[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318092/
[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31605782/
[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31904420/
[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34829613/
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