Mixed carotenoid supplementation and dysmetabolic obesity: gaps in knowledge.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the role of carotenoids (including their conversion to retinoids like vitamin A) in managing obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions, particularly insulin resistance and fat accrual in children and adolescents.
Results Summary
The study found that carotenoid supplementation may help manage obesity-related metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance and subcutaneous abdominal fat accumulation, independent of serum retinol (vitamin A) levels. Animal studies supported these findings, suggesting potential benefits in adipogenesis and lipolysis.
Population
Children and adolescents with dysmetabolic obesity.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mixed carotenoid supplementation | decrease | obesity accrual | children | - | may be useful in the management of | #1 |
diet vs. mixed carotenoid supplementation | neutral | insulin resistance, adipokines and the rate of accrual of subcutaneous abdominal fat | children | - | describing the effects of | #2 |
- | decrease | lower carotenoid levels and the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome | general population | - | inverse association between | #3 |
Dysmetabolic obesity during childhood and adolescence currently represents one of the greatest therapeutic challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. The global rates of obesity have more than doubled in the last 30 years. Recent meta-analysis from national surveys and food composition studies suggest an inverse association between lower carotenoid levels and the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in the general population, independent of serum retinol (vitamin A) levels. In children, two double-blind randomised placebo-controlled studies describing the effects of diet vs. mixed carotenoid supplementation on insulin resistance, adipokines and the rate of accrual of subcutaneous abdominal fat, implicate supplementation of these compounds to achieve targetable levels may be useful in the management of obesity accrual in this population. We will discuss the role of carotenoids and their conversion products (retinoids) in adipogenesis, lipolysis, insulin resistance and the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome and review the animal studies, which help support these findings.