Plasma Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Retinol in the Age-Stratified (35-74 Years) General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Six European Countries.

Blood micronutrient status may change with age. We analyzed plasma carotenoids, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol and their associations with age, demographic characteristics, and dietary habits (assessed by a short food frequency questionnaire) in a cross-sectional study of 2118 women and men (age-stratified from 35 to 74 years) of the general population from six European countries. Higher age was associated with lower lycopene and α-/β-carotene and higher β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α-/γ-tocopherol, and retinol levels.

Stuetz W, Weber D, Dollé ME, Jansen E, Grubeck-Loebenstein B, Fiegl S, Toussaint O, Bernhardt J, Gonos ES, Franceschi C, Sikora E, Moreno-Villanueva M, Breusing N, Grune T, Bürkle A.

Nutrients. 2016 Sep 30;8(10). pii: E614. PMID: 27706032