J Nutr. 2023 May 27:S0022-3166(23)72117-2. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adding carotenoids, particularly lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), to prenatal micronutrient formulations has been promoted to enhance infant visual and neural development and to maintain maternal health. Although these claims are biologically plausible, they are not yet supported by a compelling prospective trial.
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of prenatal carotenoid supplementation on biomarkers of maternal and infant systemic carotenoid status.
METHODS: We randomly assigned 47 first trimester pregnant subjects by 1:1 allocation to receive standard-of-care prenatal vitamins plus a 10 mg L and 2 mg Z softgel (Carotenoid Group) or standard-of-care prenatal vitamins with a placebo softgel (Control Group) for 6 to 8 months. Maternal carotenoid concentrations in the serum and skin at the end of each trimester and postpartum were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography and resonance Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Infants’ systemic carotenoid status was assessed using similar techniques but optimized for infants. Repeated measures and paired t-tests were determined, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Following supplementation, there was a statistically significant increase in maternal serum L+Z concentrations, serum total carotenoid concentrations, and skin carotenoid status (p < 0.001, for all) in the Carotenoid Group relative to the Control Group at all study time points. Similarly, infants whose mothers were in the Carotenoid Group had a significant 5-fold increase in cord blood L+Z concentrations, over a 3-fold increase in cord blood total carotenoids, and a 38% increase in skin carotenoids compared to the Control Group (p < 0.0001, for all). Also, there was a strong positive, statistically significant correlation between postpartum maternal and infants’ systemic carotenoid status (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: Prenatal carotenoid supplementation significantly increased maternal and infant systemic (skin and serum) carotenoid status, which may benefit pregnant women and their babies’ health.
PMID:37247819 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024
