A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that EVTene palm mixed-carotene in combination with other carotenoids may be effective in modulating adipokines and abdominal adiposity in obese children.
 
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial involved 20 children with simple obesity at a mean age of 10.5 years who were given either 2 tablets of MCS (Mixed Carotenoid Supplement, CarotenALL from Jarrow Formulas, Los Angeles, CA) or placebo daily for 6 months.
 
The supplement consists of 2,000 IU (or 1,200 µg) beta-carotene, 500 µg alpha-carotene (EVTene, palm mixed-carotene), 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 10 mg lycopene, 500 µg astaxanthin and 10 mg gamma-tocopherol per capsule. Physical examinations such as waist circumference measurement, blood tests (i.e., serum carotenoids, total adiponectin, leptin, insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and percentage change in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were performed in both MCS and placebo groups at baseline and after the supplementation period.  
 
When compared to placebo group after 6 months of supplementation, MCS group demonstrated reduced BMI (Body Mass Index) z-score, WHtR (waist to height ratio), stable HOMA-2 (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance-2), elevated level of beta-carotene, total adiponectin and HMW-ADI (high molecular weight adiponectin). Beta-carotene does not only show unique positive association with total adiponectin at baseline, but also negative association with waist circumference, WHtR, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) after adjustment for sex among obese children.
 
“Adiponectin is a hormone that regulates body metabolic processes, and generally obese people have lower plasma adiponectin than non-obese people. Many studies have found adiponectin to be inversely correlated with body mass index in obese populations,” said CheeYen Lau, nutritionist at ExcelVite. “This study shows that the mixed-carotene supplemented obese children have increased level plasma adiponectin. This is definitely interesting as elevated adiponectin is thought to help enhance insulin sensitivity, mitigate inflammatory processes and promote heart-healthy effects. Long term supplementation of mixed-carotene may help to regulate metabolic health in obese children.”
 
“EVTene is a true natural mixed-carotene complex extracted from palm fruits with highest level of alpha-carotene,” she added. “EVTene contains mainly alpha-carotene (33%) and beta-carotene (66%) as well as a small amount of other carotenoids such as lycopene and gamma-carotene. The carotene composition of EVTene is similar to what is found in carrots. It is the only true natural mixed-carotene that can be used in dietary supplements and functional foods for healthy metabolism and weight management.”