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Augimeri G, Soto M, Ceraudo F, Caparello G, Villegas Figueroa M, Cesario M, Caputi LS, Calderón B, Bonofiglio D. Differences of skin carotenoids and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet pattern in adults from Southern Italy and Dominican Republic. J Transl Med 2024; 22:424. [PMID: 38704581 PMCID: PMC11070090 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The measurement of the skin carotenoids using the Veggie Meter® has emerged as a rapid objective method for assessing fruit and vegetable intake, highly recommended by the Mediterranean Diet (MD), which represents one of the healthiest dietary patterns, worldwide. This study aimed to examine differences in skin carotenoid content and degree of adherence to the MD pattern between two adult populations from Southern Italy and the Dominican Republic. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 995 adults, 601 subjects from Italy and 394 from the Dominican Republic. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements and skin carotenoid assessment by Veggie Meter®. Adherence to the MD and lifestyle were evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE) questionnaires. Correlations between the skin carotenoid and MEDAS score were estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression models were created to determine variables that affect skin carotenoid score for both populations. RESULTS Mean total skin carotenoids were higher in the Italian compared to the Dominican Republic population (342.4 ± 92.4 vs 282.9 ± 90.3; p < 0.005) regardless of sex (women: 318.5 ± 88.9 vs 277.3 ± 91.9, p < 0.005 and men: 371.7 ± 88.3 vs 289.5 ± 88.1, p < 0.005), and remaining statistically significant after age-adjustment of the Dominican Republic sample. Using the MEDAS questionnaire, we found a higher MD adherence score in the Italian than in the Dominican Republic population also after age-adjusting data (7.8 ± 2.1 vs 6.2 ± 3.7; p < 0.005) and even when categorized by sex (Italian vs age-adjusted Dominican Republic women: 7.9 ± 2.1 vs 6.3 ± 2.6; Italian vs age-adjusted Dominican Republic men: 7.7 ± 2.2 vs 6.0 ± 4.7; p < 0.005). Using the MEDLIFE test, total Italians presented a lower score with respect to the age-adjusted Dominican Republic population (3.2 ± 1.2 vs 3.4 ± 1.4; p < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, skin carotenoids were associated with sex and negatively associated with BMI in the Italian population (sex: β: 54.95; 95% CI: 40.11, 69.78; p < 0.0001; BMI: β: - 1.60; 95% CI: - 2.98,0.86; p = 0.03), while they resulted associated with age and sex in the Dominican Republic population (age: β: 2.76; 95% CI: 1.92, 3.56; p < 0.001; sex: β: 23.29; 95% CI: 5.93, 40.64; p = 0.009). Interestingly, skin carotenoids were positively correlated with MEDAS score in both populations (Italy: r = 0.03, p < 0.0001, Dominican Republic: r = 0.16, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS This study provides the assessment of the adherence to the MD and skin carotenoid content in adults living in Southern Italy and the Dominican Republic, showing a higher MD adherence score and a skin carotenoid content in inhabitants from the Mediterranean region. Our findings highlight the need to globally encourage fruit and vegetable intake, particularly in non-Mediterranean area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Augimeri
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Manuel Soto
- Research Unit, Centro Médico de Diabetes, Obesidad y Especialidades (CEMDOE), Clara María Pardo Street, Santo Domingo, 10135, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
| | - Fabrizio Ceraudo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Giovanna Caparello
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Melisa Villegas Figueroa
- Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Los Proceres Avenue, Santo Domingo, 10602, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Mirko Cesario
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Lorenzo S Caputi
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
- Surface Nanoscience Group, Department of Physics, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Berniza Calderón
- Research Unit, Centro Médico de Diabetes, Obesidad y Especialidades (CEMDOE), Clara María Pardo Street, Santo Domingo, 10135, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
- Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Los Proceres Avenue, Santo Domingo, 10602, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
- Sociedad Dominicana de Endocrinología y Nutrición (SODENN), 157 Independencia Avenue, GS Professional Building, Santo Domingo, 10206, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy.
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy.
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Arcavacata Di Rende (CS), 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Ahn S, Ahn S, Jang H, Eom K, Kim YJ, Hwang JE, Chung JI, Park JY, Nam S, Choi YH, Joung H. Validation of resonance Raman spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid status as a biomarker for fruit and vegetable intake in Korean adults. Br J Nutr 2023; 130:1993-2001. [PMID: 37184085 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114523001058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Blood carotenoid concentration measurement is considered the gold standard for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake estimation; however, this method is invasive and expensive. Recently, skin carotenoid status (SCS) measured by optical sensors has been evaluated as a promising parameter for F&V intake estimation. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to validate the utility of resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS)-assessed SCS as a biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults. We used data from 108 participants aged 20-69 years who completed SCS measurements, blood collection and 3-d dietary recordings. Serum carotenoid concentrations were quantified using HPLC, and dietary carotenoid and F&V intakes were estimated via 3-d dietary records using a carotenoid database for common Korean foods. The correlations of the SCS with serum carotenoid concentrations, dietary carotenoid intake and F&V intake were examined to assess SCS validity. SCS was positively correlated with total serum carotenoid concentration (r = 0·52, 95 % CI = 0·36, 0·64, P < 0·001), serum β-carotene concentration (r = 0·60, 95 % CI = 0·47, 0·71, P < 0·001), total carotenoid intake (r = 0·20, 95 % CI = 0·01, 0·37, P = 0·04), β-carotene intake (r = 0·30, 95 % CI = 0·11, 0·46, P = 0·002) and F&V intake (r = 0·40, 95 % CI = 0·23, 0·55, P < 0·001). These results suggest that SCS can be a valid biomarker of F&V intake in Korean adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoeun Ahn
- Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmo Ahn
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongseok Jang
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Kunsun Eom
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Jae Kim
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Hwang
- Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul08826, Republic of Korea
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji In Chung
- Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Park
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghyun Nam
- Advanced Sensor Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Ho Choi
- Center for Health Promotion, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojee Joung
- Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul08826, Republic of Korea
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Madore MP, Hwang JE, Park JY, Ahn S, Joung H, Chun OK. A Narrative Review of Factors Associated with Skin Carotenoid Levels. Nutrients 2023; 15:2156. [PMID: 37432294 DOI: 10.3390/nu15092156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite consistent evidence that greater consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) is associated with significant reductions in chronic disease morbidity and mortality, the majority of adults in the United States consume less than the amounts recommended by public health agencies. As such, there is a critical need to design and implement effective programs and policies to facilitate increases in FV consumption for the prevention of these diseases. To accomplish this, an accurate, inexpensive, and convenient method for estimating the dietary FV intake is required. A promising method for quantifying the FV intake via proxy that has gained interest in recent years is the measurement of skin carotenoid levels via spectroscopy-based devices. However, there exist certain dietary and non-dietary factors that may affect the skin carotenoid levels independently of the dietary intake of carotenoids. In order to validate the ability of this method to accurately estimate the FV intake among diverse demographics, these factors must be identified and taken into consideration. Therefore, this narrative review seeks to summarize the available research on factors that may affect the skin carotenoid levels, determine current gaps in knowledge, and provide guidance for future research efforts seeking to validate spectroscopy-measured skin carotenoid levels as a means of accurately estimating the FV intake among various populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Madore
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Jeong-Eun Hwang
- Device Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon 16678, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Park
- Device Research Center, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon 16678, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoeun Ahn
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojee Joung
- Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ock K Chun
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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Jilcott Pitts S, Moran NE, Laska MN, Wu Q, Harnack L, Moe S, Carr-Manthe P, Gates E, Chang J, Zaidi Y, Gelineau A, Berg L, Craft NE. Reflection Spectroscopy-Assessed Skin Carotenoids Are Sensitive to Change in Carotenoid Intake in a 6-Week Randomized Controlled Feeding Trial in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample. J Nutr 2023; 153:1133-1142. [PMID: 36804322 PMCID: PMC10356992 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reflection spectroscopy, utilized by the Veggie Meter, is a less-expensive, noninvasive method to quantify skin carotenoids and is a valid approximation of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. However, it is unknown to what degree Veggie Meter-assessed skin carotenoid score change is responsive to changes in carotenoid intake. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate Veggie Meter-assessed skin carotenoid score response in a 6-wk randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice to determine whether the Veggie Meter can be used to detect nutritionally relevant changes in carotenoid intake; and to compare skin and plasma carotenoid responses with the 6-wk trial. METHODS In this 6-wk trial, participants (n = 162) who self-identified as one of 4 US racial/ethnic groups (25% Black, 25% Asian, 27% non-Hispanic White, 23% Hispanic) were randomized to a control group, receiving negligible carotenoids (177 mL apple juice/d), moderate-dose group, receiving 4 mg total carotenoids/d (177 mL orange-carrot juice/d), or high-dose group, receiving 8 mg total carotenoids/d (355 mL orange-carrot juice/d). Skin carotenoid score and plasma total carotenoid concentrations (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin) were assessed at baseline, 3 wk, and 6 wk (n = 158 completed the trial). Repeated measures linear models were used to examine skin and plasma carotenoids over time and between groups. RESULTS At 6 wk, participants in the high-dose and moderate-dose groups had significantly higher mean skin carotenoid scores [414.0 (SD = 100.6) and 369.7 (SD = 100.3), respectively] compared with those in the control group [305.2 (100.5)]. In the high-dose group, there was a 42% change in skin carotenoids from baseline (mean = 290.4) to a 6-wk follow-up (increase of 123, 123/290 = 42.4%). There was a 61% change in the plasma carotenoids in the high-dose group. CONCLUSIONS The Veggie Meter is sensitive to increases in daily carotenoid intake in diverse racial/ethnic groups over 6 wk. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY NUMBER This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ID: NCT04056624. Study URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04056624.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qiang Wu
- East Carolina University Department of Public Health, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Stacey Moe
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Gates
- East Carolina University Department of Public Health, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Yusuf Zaidi
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Lauren Berg
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Radtke MD, Poe M, Stookey J, Jilcott Pitts S, Moran NE, Landry MJ, Rubin LP, Stage VC, Scherr RE. Recommendations for the Use of the Veggie Meter® for Spectroscopy-Based Skin Carotenoid Measurements in the Research Setting. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab104. [PMID: 34476333 PMCID: PMC8405124 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Carotenoids are a class of phytochemical compounds found in a variety of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and, therefore, are commonly used as a biomarker for F/V intake. The Veggie Meter® is a noninvasive research-grade instrument that detects and quantifies carotenoids in the skin. To determine current practices and examine variability among users, a survey was administered to researchers using the device (n = 19, response rate = 35.8%) and variation in anatomical site preparation, calibration, number of measurements, measurement site, and documentation was observed. A protocol was developed in partnership with Veggie Meter® users to outline the preparation, calibration, and data collection procedures for using this device for research purposes. Although many protocol conditions will benefit from additional validation, this standardized protocol supports the development of a universal data repository to establish usual observed ranges, with the ultimate goal of examining associations between skin carotenoid scores and diet-related health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela D Radtke
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Nutrition in Schools, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mykaela Poe
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jodi Stookey
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Jilcott Pitts
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Nancy E Moran
- USDA/Agricultural Research Service Children's Nutrition Research Center and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew J Landry
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lewis P Rubin
- Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Virginia C Stage
- Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Rachel E Scherr
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Center for Nutrition in Schools, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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