A new study, published in theJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, suggests taking a mixed carotenoid supplement (MCS) may be effective in controlling “adipokines and abdominal adiposity in obese children.”
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 2 tablets of a MCS (CarotenALL) or a placebo were given to 20 obese children. The supplement, which contained “2,000 IU (or 1,200 µg) beta-carotene, 500 µg alpha-carotene (EVTene, palm mixed-carotene), 10mg lutein, 2mg zeaxanthin, 10mg lycopene, 500 µg astaxanthin and 10mg gamma-tocopherol” was given for 6 months.
Before and after taking the supplements, each child was examined with a blood test, for waist circumference measurements, for percentage change in visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue.
After the 6 month period, children taking the Mixed Carotenoid Supplement had a reduced BMI, elevated level of beta-carotene, stable HOMA-2 (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance-2), WHtR (waist to height ratio), total adiponectin and HMW-ADI (high molecular weight adiponectin).
“Adiponectin is a hormone that regulates body metabolic processes, and generally obese people have lower plasma adiponectin than non-obese people. Many studies have found adiponectin to be inversely correlated with body mass index in obese populations.This study shows that the mixed-carotene supplemented obese children have increased level plasma adiponectin. This is definitely interesting as elevated adiponectin is thought to help enhance insulin sensitivity, mitigate inflammatory processes and promote heart-healthy effects. Long term supplementation of mixed-carotene may help to regulate metabolic health in obese children,” said CheeYen Lau, nutritionist of ExcelVite, in a press release.
Posted on WholeFoods MagazineOnline, 4/14/17
