Carotenoids: dietary sources, adequate and clinically effective doses

Abstract

Natural food sources of  carotenoids are colored vegetables and fruits, eggs, milk. Total carotenoid intake varies from 1  to 22 mg/day in European countries and from 5 to 16 mg/day in the USA. The average daily intake of lycopene in Europe ranges from 5 to 7 mg/day, in the USA – from 5.7 to 10.5 mg/day. Carotenoids are used in the production of fortified foods, biologically active food supplements, specialized foods for various population groups, as well as natural food colors added directly during the production of a food product or in feed for farm animals. Epidemiological studies have shown that dietary carotenoid intake is inversely associated with obesity, retinopathy, cataracts; cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and some cancers. According to the domestic regulatory framework, the adequate level of daily intake of carotenoids is 15 mg, 5 mg of β-carotene, lycopene and lutein, the upper permissible level of consumption of carotenoids as part of dietary supplements and specialized food products is 30 mg (10 mg each). For zeaxanthin, these values are 1 and 3 mg/day. Daily doses of lycopene used in intervention studies were 15–90  mg, and β-carotene 15–50  mg. lutein  – 4–20  mg; zeaxanthin  – 1–20  mg; mezoxanthin 12  mg, astaxanthin  – 12–16 mg. Duration of admission was 4–12 months (up to 48 months). Taking lycopene at a dose of 10–15 mg for several months led to a decrease in indicators of oxidative stress, markers of bone resorption, taking lutein at a dose of ≥ 10 mg improved visual and cognitive functions. The effective doses of carotenoids correspond to or exceed the permitted allowable level of their consumption as part of dietary supplements and specialized food products.