title: beta-Carotene and alpha-tocopherol in healthy overweight adults; depletion kinetics are correlated with adiposity.
abstract: Healthy overweight subjects (24 males, 68 females; mean age=48.8 years; body mass index=27.1+/-4.9) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with two periods of 28-day supplementation using a nutritional product composed primarily of dehydrated juice concentrates from mixed fruits and vegetables (JuicePlus +). Compared with placebo, supplementation for 28 days increased concentrations of serum beta-carotene by 264% (P <0.001) and alpha-tocopherol by 14% (P < 0.01). After crossover of the active group to placebo, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol declined via first-order kinetics, with serum half-lives (t (1/2)) for beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol determined to be 22.8+/-3.1 and 4.6+/-2.3 days, respectively. Depletion rates for beta-carotene correlated with adiposity (quartile 1, body mass index=21.96, t (1/2)=17.6 days vs. quartile 4, body mass index=37.87, t (1/2)=26.3 days; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation period resulted in significantly elevated levels of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol, indicating bioavailability. These increased levels persisted 2-4 weeks after supplementation was discontinued, and the rates of depletion were correlated with the levels of general adiposity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Technology, Natural Alternatives International, Inc., San Marcos, CA 92078, USA. jwise@nai-online.com
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Gilbert R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Kaats
authors.forename: Harry G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Preuss
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Morin
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D001682:Biological Availability; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014675:Vegetables; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D028321:Plant Preparations; D019207:beta Carotene; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol