Mixed carotenoid supplementation and its effects of abdominal fat accrual in children.

What is it about?

In this randomized placebo-control study we report evidence that shows that low dose supplementation with mixed carotenoids (the nutrients present in fruits and vegetables) to the routine diet of obese children is more efficacious than diet and lifestyle intervention alone to induce a lowering of the accumulation of abdominal body fat during six months of supplementation. Using state of the art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantitative analysis of the abdominal region we show that those individuals who were assigned to the active compound were able to reduce 4% of the subcutaneous abdominal fat accumulation as opposed to having had a 4% increase of the same region in the placebo group, and this difference was statistically significant and unlikely to have happened just by chance. The evidence was also strengthened by showing an almost 80% improvement in the serum levels of a beneficial hormone produced by the fat cells called high molecular weight adiponectin which ameliorates the insulin resistant state and helps lower the accumulation of body fat. Taken together this data supports the notion that all children should have their carotenoid levels measured during childhood and specific therapeutic targets should be established which when reached by either diet or supplementation, will help reduce the accrual of abdominal fat in this population. The mechanisms believed to be involved in this effect is best explained by the induction of adaptive thermogenesis which involves the breakdown of carotenoids into their active retinoid compounds and improving the generation of heat in this area. Further studies are needed to confirm this process.

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Why is it important?

Targeting beta-carotene serum levels as markers for adequate fruit and vegetable intake in children has long been overdue. Higher carotenoid levels may induce a process called adaptive thermogenesis which in turn can ameliorate fat accrual in the abdominal region during childhood. This is a novel and simple way to help children faced with rapid rates of weight gain during childhood.

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