According to a study recently published in the journal Experimental Gerontology a diet rich in the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin may aid it reducing frailty risks in older individuals. Additionally declines in age-related musculoskeletal health due to these phytonutrients anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were seen.
Data mined from the first five waves of the TILDA (Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing), a long term study on aging provided baseline data from 8,500 participants over the age of 50 living in Ireland. A cross sectional analyses on a group of over 4,500 participants from TILDA wave 1 compared plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin concentrations to bone mass, probable sarcopenia, timed up and go (TUG), usual gait speed, and grip strength at baseline. Additionally longitudinal analysis evaluated changes over time in bone stiffness index and usual gait speed using TILDA wave 3, while grip strength and probable sarcopenia used TILDA wave 4. Finally TUG and incident frailty was measured using TILDA wave 5.
The data was analyzed using ordinal and linear logistic regression which was adjusted for variable like unintentional weight loss, smoking and alcohol consumption, number of chronic diseases, physical activity, education, body mass index, sex and age.
Researchers found participants who were considered non frail at baseline and had lower plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin levels showed higher risks of progressing to a higher frailty classification after 8 years of follow up. It was noted that for each 100 nmol/L increase in baseline Lutein and Zeaxanthin levels there was an associated 11-20% and 27-43% lower risk of progressing to these higher frailty categories respectively.
Researchers feel it would be important to further explore these relationships.
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