SERUM LEVELS OF CAROTENOIDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-REPORTED HEALTH STATUS IN THE GENERAL ADULT POPULATION

Epidemiological evidence suggests that self reported health is a strong independent predictor of health outcomes such as mortality. Some studies indicate that malnutrition is associated with poor self-reported health status in general population and patients. However, which nutrients are associated with self-reported health status is not entirely clear. The objective of the present study was to explore the potential association between serum nutrients and self reported health. 8,042 white Americans aged 20 years and older from the NHANES 2001-2006 were used to exam the association between serum carotenoids and self-reported health status. The mean serum concentration of carotenoids were significantly lower in poor, fair or good group than that in very good or excellent group for alpha-carotene (0.065 vs 0.095 umol/L), beta-cryptoxanthin (0.129 vs 0.166 umol/L), lutein/zeaxanthin (0.245 vs 0.289 umol/L) and total lycopene (0.760 vs 0.866 umol/L). After adjusting for gender, age, BMI status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, education, income, marital status, and common chronic disease conditions, these serum carotenoids were still significantly associated with self-reported health status (p<0.001). In addition to improving objective health condition, increased serum concentrations of carotenoids are also significantly related to subjective perception of health in the general adult population.