New discoveries in anti-aging: this natural plant pigment can actually delay biological aging!

Recently, a research team from West China Hospital of Sichuan University conducted an in-depth analysis of 19,280 participants based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2018. The results showed that carotenoids have a significant effect on slowing down the acceleration of phenotypic aging, among which β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin are particularly prominent, indicating the great potential of this natural pigment in the field of anti-aging.

1. The higher the carotenoid content, the more significant the anti-aging power

Carotenoids are a natural fat-soluble pigment that is widely found in algae, fungi, bacteria and plants. To date, more than 700 natural carotenoids have been discovered. According to their chemical structures, they can be divided into two categories. One category contains only carbon and hydrogen elements and does not contain oxygen elements (such as α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene); the other category is its oxidized derivatives, which have oxygen-containing functional groups such as hydroxyl, keto, carboxyl, and methoxy (such as lutein, zeaxanthin, etc.). Among them, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin account for more than 95% of the carotenoids circulating in human blood.

This study, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), explored the relationship between dietary carotenoid intake and the biological aging process. Carotenoid intake was obtained by analyzing dietary data, and biological age was assessed using the PhenoAge and Klemera-Doubal (KDM) methods [1].

The results showed that higher dietary carotenoid levels were significantly associated with a slower rate of biological aging, suggesting that carotenoids have potential anti-aging effects. Further analysis found that the association between carotenoids and accelerated biological age showed a significant nonlinear characteristic, indicating that their protective effect increased at higher intake levels.

According to the results, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin are particularly effective in anti-aging. In addition, the anti-aging effects of carotenoids vary among different populations. Young people (less than 60 years old), women, hypertensive patients and diabetic patients benefit more significantly from high levels of carotenoid intake, which helps slow down the process of biological aging.

2. Anti-aging research of carotenoids

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a gradual decline in physiological functions and increased susceptibility to diseases. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors driving aging.
Carotenoids have strong antioxidant capacity due to the numerous conjugated double bonds in their molecular structure. They can effectively remove reactive oxygen species (such as peroxide radicals and singlet oxygen) in the body by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation, thus playing a key role in promoting healthy aging.

The anti-aging potential of carotenoids is mainly based on their ability to promote the migration of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the cell nucleus. After Nrf2 migrates to the cell nucleus, it begins to transcribe antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. In addition, as cells divide, their telomeres shorten until they die, and ROS and inflammation accelerate telomere shortening. It has been reported that high dietary intake of β-carotene is associated with longer telomere length [2].

3. More benefits of carotenoids

Carotenoids are widely used in various fields because of their strong coloring power and stable and uniform color, such as as food colorants such as beverages and candies, and as nutritional compatibility with children's food. Carotenoids have multiple functions such as vitamin A activity, protection of cardiovascular health, and skin health, and have important physiological regulation and disease prevention effects on the human body.

3.1 Protect cardiovascular health

Carotenoids can prevent the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, as well as prevent oxidative damage to vascular cells and maintain vascular function. Among them, carotenoids such as lycopene and lutein have key benefits in this regard. A meta-analysis found that individuals who consumed lycopene in their diet had a 17% lower risk of cardiovascular disease [3]. Lutein is 15 times more effective than lycopene and 10 times more effective than β-carotene [4], and can effectively prevent lipid peroxidation.

3.2 Skin health

Photoaging is mainly caused by environmental factors, manifested as decreased skin elasticity, abnormal pigmentation, dryness and itching. Ultraviolet rays are a key cause. By promoting the generation of ROS, they damage the skin's protective and repair functions, thereby causing skin and epidermal damage and accelerating aging. Studies have shown that carotenoid supplementation can effectively prevent the formation of ROS induced by ultraviolet rays.

For example, astaxanthin can improve skin health and play an anti-photoaging role by inhibiting oxidative damage. It can inhibit melanin synthesis, reduce pigmentation, increase skin moisture, and improve dry skin. Studies have shown that oral astaxanthin can reduce age spots and wrinkles, and improve skin hydration and elasticity. In addition, astaxanthin can also reduce skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays, reduce water loss and rashes, and protect skin health [2].

3.3 Liver protection

The intake of dietary carotenoids is considered to be a basic strategy for preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene has hepatoprotective properties for a variety of liver diseases, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The liver-protective effect of lycopene is mainly due to its strong antioxidant properties, which can effectively inhibit cell damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, studies have pointed out that β-carotene, as one of the most abundant carotenoids in the liver, shows significant hepatoprotective effects. Increasing the intake of β-carotene through dietary intake can significantly reduce the risk of liver steatosis and free radical-mediated liver cell damage [5].

3.4 Improve age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common visual impairment disease caused mainly by degenerative damage to photoreceptors in mature individuals. It has become the main cause of blindness in people over 65 years old. It is predicted that the number of AMD patients worldwide will increase to nearly 288 million by 2040 [6]. The initial manifestations of AMD are decreased visual acuity, decreased contrast sensitivity and decreased visual acuity, and are characterized by a gradual decline in functional vision during the course of the disease. Carotenoids play a key role in maintaining the health and function of the macula. Among the many carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to be able to cross the blood-retinal barrier and accumulate in the retina to form macular pigment, a process that is crucial for the protection of the macula.

In addition, astaxanthin, a member of the lutein family, is mainly found in marine organisms and is considered to have a potential protective effect in preventing light-induced retinal damage and dysfunction. Due to its unique molecular structure, astaxanthin can cross the cell double membrane and effectively remove reactive oxygen species in the inner and outer layers of the cell, thereby providing the retina with a defense mechanism against oxidative stress [2].

Reference source:

[1]https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-024-10160-4
[2]https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/20/15199
[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318092/
[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31605782/
[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31904420/
[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34829613/