The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: the Blue Mountains eye study

Authors

Fiona Manzi, University of Sydney
Victoria Flood, University of WollongongFollow
Karen Webb, University of Sydney
Paul Mitchell, University of Sydney

RIS ID

30306

Publication Details

Manzi, F., Flood, V., Webb, K. & Mitchell, P. (2002). The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: the Blue Mountains eye study. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (2), 347-352.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians.

Design: Population-based cohort study.

Setting: Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.

Subjects: We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55 + years attending the 5-year follow-up of the cross-sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), who completed a detailed semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The intakes for five carotenoids were studied: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin combined, and lycopene.

Results: The mean intake per day for each carotenoid was: α-carotene, 2675 μg; β-carotene equivalents, 7301 μg; β-cryptoxanthin, 299 μg; lutein and zeaxanthin, 914 μg; lycopene, 3741 μg; retinol, 653 μg; total vitamin A, 1872 μg retinol equivalents. β-Carotene equivalents contribute a substantial proportion of total vitamin A intake (65%) in this population. Women had slightly higher intakes than men for α-carotene, β-carotene equivalents, and lutein and zeaxanthin (P<0.05) . Carrots and pumpkin were the main contributors to α-carotene and β-carotene equivalent intakes. Orange juice, oranges and papaw were the main contributors to β-cryptoxanthin intake. Broccoli, green beans and oranges contributed substantially to lutein and zeaxanthin intake. The main contributors to lycopene intake were tomatoes and bolognaise sauce.

Conclusions: Vitamin A intake in this population is high relative to the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake. Carotenoid intakes, particularly β-carotene, make a substantial contribution, particularly from fruit and vegetables. This study provides important information as a basis for examining associations between dietary carotenoid intake and eye disease in the BMES.