Alpha-carotene, the second most common form of carotene behind beta-carotene (vitamin A), was shown to improve muscle strength in a study of older adults appearing in Antioxidants.
 
The study, which involved 1,172 National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) participants between the ages of 50 and 85, examined the relationships between vitamin E, retinol, a-carotene, trans-b-carotene, cis-b-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin combination, and trans-lycopene intakes and muscle strength, which was assessed using isokinetic knee extensor strength.
 
Serum a-carotene levels were positively associated with muscle strength in older adults. The finding shows that just the right type of antioxidant may be significant in its relationship with muscle strength, according to the authors.
 
“Although α-carotene and β-carotene are chemically related, some research indicates that α-carotene may have a greater potential antioxidant effect. For example, an in vivo investigation revealed that α-carotene appears to suppress human neuroblastoma cell proliferation about 10 times more than β-carotene. As such, the right antioxidant intake seems to be important for muscle strength, which reinforces that older adults should consume adequate servings of fruits and vegetables with high alpha-carotene. The results found can be extrapolated to the population of the United States, since this is a representative sample,” the authors concluded.
 
“A simple and cost-effective way to maintain healthy muscle strength is to live a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and consumer more antioxidants such as alpha-carotene-rich diet like carrots and palm. However, diet alone is not sufficient or challenging to attain and sustain a high enough level of alpha-carotene. As such, dietary supplementation with alpha-carotene or multivitamins high in alpha carotene may be the answer as a dietary measure to reduce the variables risk due to loss of muscle strength,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist at PhytoGaia, manufacturer of a mixed carotene ingredient called CaroGaia.
 
“PhytoGaia’s CaroGaia is a natural plant-derived mixed carotene with the highest alpha-carotene in the market,” said Bryan See, vice president of PhytoGaia. “What is most interesting is that the composition of carotenoids in palm carotene is exactly the same as found in carrots. As such, CaroGaia is the best source of carotene for companies or brand owners who are interested in formulating a multi-carotenoid or a synergistic combo product for healthy muscle function and strength.”