High alpha-carotene linked to longer life

ATLANTA, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- High blood levels of the antioxidant alpha-carotene -- found in produce -- may reduce the risk of premature death, U.S. researchers say.

Dr. Chaoyang Li of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and colleagues assessed the relationship between alpha-carotene and the risk of death among 15,318 adults age 20 and older in a study that ran from 1988 to 1994 with follow-ups through 2006. A total of 3,810 of the participants died over the course of the study.

The researchers found that compared with those with blood alpha-carotene levels between 0 and 1 micrograms per deciliter, the risk of death during the study period was 23 percent lower among who had concentrations between 2 and 3 micrograms per deciliter, 27 percent lower with levels between 4 and 5 micrograms per deciliter, 34 percent lower with levels between 6 and 8 micrograms per deciliter and 39 percent lower with levels of 9 micrograms per deciliter or higher.

Alpha-carotene is chemically similar to beta-carotene but may be more effective at inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the brain, liver and skin, the researchers say.

The results support increasing fruit and vegetable consumption as a way of preventing premature death and a need for clinical research into the health benefits of alpha-carotene, the researchers say.

The study's findings were published online ahead of the March issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.