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Beta-carotene shown to reduce LDL oxidation.
In a clinical study sponsored by Nutrilite,
a 4.5 mg daily supplement of beta-carotene significantly reduced
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in adults considered to
be at risk for heart disease. The study involved 200 male and
female subjects aged 35-68 years who were divided into three at-risk
groups-smokers, diabetics, and obese-and a healthy control group.
All subjects were tested for LDL oxidation susceptibility, given
the beta-carotene along with their normal diet for 45 days, then
tested again. At the end of the study, oxidized LDLs were reduced
by 18, 22, and 21 percent in the smoker, diabetic, and obese groups,
respectively. While this difference was significant, LDL oxidation
susceptibility for the at-risk subjects at the end of the study
was still higher than that of the healthy control group at the
beginning of the study. Researchers from the Rambam Medical Center
and National Institute of Oceanography in Haifa, Israel conducted
the study. Their findings were presented at the International
Conference on Dietary Medicine in April. Nutrilite Press Release,
May 17, 2000.
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