Antioxidant fortified margarine increases the antioxidant status.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of supplementation with an antioxidant fortified margarine on the body's antioxidant status and on parameters of oxidative damage to lipids.


METHODS
Single blind, placebo controlled trial, two treatment groups balanced for sex, age and Quetelet Index.


METHODS
Unilever Research Laboratorium, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Thirty-one healthy adult volunteers accomplished the study. Volunteers were recruited among inhabitants of the surrounding area of the research laboratory.


METHODS
Volunteers consumed during the four weeks either 15 g/d of an antioxidant fortified margarine (providing 121 mg vitamin C, 31 mg vitamin E, 2.7 mg alpha-carotene and 5.3 mg beta-carotene) or an ordinary margarine. Fasting blood samples were taken before and at the end of the study.


RESULTS
Consumption of the antioxidant fortified margarine significantly increased the levels of the supplied antioxidants in plasma and LDL as compared to the changes found after consumption of the control margarine, with the largest increases found in LDL levels of alpha-carotene (15.5-fold increase, 95% CI: 8.4-27.8-fold) and beta-carotene (4.3-fold increase, 95% CI: 2.2-7.9-fold). This increased antioxidant status in the antioxidant fortified margarine group resulted in a significantly increased total antioxidant activity of LDL and resistance of LDL to oxidation (lag time and rate of oxidation) as compared to baseline but not in comparison to the changes found in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of moderate doses of vitamin E, vitamin C, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, supplied in a full-fat margarine and consumed as part of a normal diet, effectively increases the blood levels of these antioxidants.
van het Hof
K H
KH
Unilever Research Laboratorium, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Tijburg
L B
LB
de Boer
H S
HS
Wiseman
S A
SA
Weststrate
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010919:Placebos; D012044:Regression Analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010919:Placebos; D008383:Margarine