The intake of carotenoids in an older Australian population: The Blue Mountains Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution of carotenoid intakes and important food sources of carotenoids in the diet of a representative population of older Australians. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. SETTING Two post-code areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia. SUBJECTS We studied 2012 (86%) of the 2334 participants aged 55+ years attending the 5-year follow-up of the cross-sectional Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), who completed a detailed semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The intakes for five carotenoids were studied: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin combined, and lycopene. RESULTS The mean intake per day for each carotenoid was: alpha-carotene, 2675 microg; beta carotene equivalents, 7301 microg; beta-cryptoxanthin, 299 microg; lutein and zeaxanthin, 914 microg; lycopene, 3741 microg; retinol, 653 microg; total vitamin A, 1872 microg retinol equivalents. beta-Carotene equivalents contribute a substantial proportion of total vitamin A intake (65%) in this population. Women had slightly higher intakes than men for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene equivalents, and lutein and zeaxanthin (P < 0.05). Carrots and pumpkin were the main contributors to alpha-carotene and beta-carotene equivalent intakes. Orange juice, oranges and papaw were the main contributors to beta-cryptoxanthin intake. Broccoli, green beans and oranges contributed substantially to lutein and zeaxanthin intake. The main contributors to lycopene intake were tomatoes and bolognaise sauce. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin A intake in this population is high relative to the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake. Carotenoid intakes, particularly beta-carotene, make a substantial contribution, particularly from fruit and vegetables. This study provides important information as a basis for examining associations between dietary carotenoid intake and eye disease in the BMES.