Carotenes Reduce Cardiovascular Mortality by 20% in Elderly Men

The Journal of Nutrition has published a study of Dutch elderly men that shows alpha carotene and beta carotene intake reduces cardiovascular deaths by 20%.  Study participants were 72 years old on average at the start of the study.  They were followed for 15 years to determine these results.

These natural carotenes are fat-soluble antioxidants which help protect the lining of artery walls.  If lacking a person would be more prone to plaque accumulation and cardiovascular disease.  Carrots and dark green leafy vegetables are good sources of these nutrients. 

It is important to understand that cheap dietary supplements often use synthetic beta-carotene.  You can tell this because the label does not state the natural source of the ingredient, which means it is synthetic and should not be taken.  Only take carotene supplements that clearly state the source of the carotene, such as Dunaliella salinas (sea algae).  High quality carotene concentrates are easier to absorb than food because the important nutrients are already removed from the plant fiber – a form of “pre-digestion.”