Dietary Habits, Diet, Healthy
Conditions
Brief summary
The central goal of this proposal is to examine validity and sensitivity of RS-assessed skin carotenoid status as a marker of F&V intake in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of individuals. First, investigators will examine the association (RS Device Validity) between RS-assessed skin carotenoids and the primary outcomes of objectively-measured plasma carotenoids and self-reported F&V consumption across four diverse groups: African-American/Black, Asian, White, and Hispanic/Latino (n=213). Then the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial to define the relative skin carotenoid responses (RS Device Sensitivity) across racial-ethnic groups, in comparison with plasma carotenoid responses. The investigators will conduct a 6-week randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice intervention \[placebo control, low and high dose juice (N=156). Finally, the genetic basis for racial/ethnic group differences in skin carotenoid responses to diet will be investigated through hypothesis-driven genomic analysis of participants from Aims 1 and 2.
Detailed description
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) is associated with lower risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Despite these benefits, the US population under-consumes F&Vs, with particularly low intake in disadvantaged populations. Low F&V intake results in higher rates of nutrition-related chronic disease among disadvantaged populations when compared with more advantaged populations. Detecting and addressing inadequate F&V intake in these populations is needed to reduce such disparities. Yet, there is still no commonly used predictive, objective measure of F&V intake for surveillance or determination of policy or intervention effectiveness. The current objective, gold standard marker of F&V intake is blood carotenoid concentration-an expensive, time-intensive, and invasive measurement. Traditional methods of self-reported dietary assessment are imprecise and have diminished utility in rural and disadvantaged populations due to low literacy, numeracy, and internet connectivity. In the past decade, skin carotenoid status assessed by non-invasive resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) has emerged as a promising biomarker of F&V intake. Reflection spectroscopy (RS) is an improvement over RRS, offering stronger signals, faster data acquisition, and greater portability in a commercially available device (Veggie Meter, Longevity Link Corporation). However, a hurdle impedes use of RS in scientific studies: to date, nearly all of the non-invasive skin carotenoid validation has been conducted in non-Hispanic whites, primarily by RRS. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate RS in racially and ethnically diverse populations. The central goal of this proposal is to examine validity and sensitivity of RS-assessed skin carotenoid status as a marker of F&V intake in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of individuals. First, the investigators will examine the association (RS Device Validity) between RS-assessed skin carotenoids and the primary outcomes of objectively-measured plasma carotenoids and self-reported F&V consumption across four diverse groups: African-American/Black, Asian, White, and Hispanic/Latino (target n = 320 but due to Covid-19, N=213). Then the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial to define the relative skin carotenoid responses (RS Device Sensitivity) across racial-ethnic groups, in comparison with plasma carotenoid responses. The investigators will conduct an 6-week randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice intervention \[placebo control, low and high dose juice across 4 genetically-stratified racial-ethnic groups (goal n = 156). Finally, the genetic basis for racial/ethnic group differences in skin carotenoid responses to diet will be investigated through hypothesis-driven genomic analysis of participants from Aims 1 and 2. The results of this study will prepare RS for mass deployment in population surveillance studies and community-based intervention trials, ultimately leading to more accurate determination of the most effective strategies to reduce health disparities related to low F&V intake in the United States and beyond.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTHigh carotenoid juice
Juice with high carotenoids
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo control - Apple juice
Juice with negligible carotenoids
Sponsors
University of Minnesota
Baylor College of Medicine
East Carolina University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
First, investigators will examine the association (RS Device Validity) between RS-assessed skin carotenoids and the primary outcomes of objectively-measured plasma carotenoids and self-reported F&V consumption across four diverse groups: African-American/Black, Asian, White, and Hispanic/Latino. Then investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial to define the relative skin carotenoid responses (RS Device Sensitivity) across racial-ethnic groups, in comparison with plasma carotenoid responses. Investigators will conduct a 6-week randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice intervention \[placebo control, low and high dose juice across 4 genetically-stratified racial-ethnic groups (n = 156).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Self-identified as one of the racial/ethnic groups of focus * Read/speak English * Between 18 and 65 years of age * BMI 18.5-34.9 kg/m2 * Non-pregnant * Non-lactating * Healthy (no chronic disease) * Not taking lipid-altering medication (medicines that lower cholesterol or triglycerides) * Weight stable (have not gained or lost more than 15 pounds in the last 3 months).
Exclusion criteria
* Not of one of the four racial/ethnic groups of focus * Not able to read/speak English * Under 18 years of age or over 65 years of age, do not * BMI less than 18.5 or more than 34.9 kg/m2 * Pregnant (or have been pregnant in the last 6 weeks) * Lactating * High blood sugar ( ≥126 mg/dl) * Chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, diabetes cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer (within the last 5 years), or other weight-related chronic diseases. * Taking medication that lowers cholesterol or triglycerides Diagnosed with/ treated for Crohn's disease. * Not weight stable (gained or lost more than 15 pounds in the last three months)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 3-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | Change in skin carotenoid status from baseline to 3 weeks | Skin carotenoid level is a number from 0 to 800 that approximates carotenoids in the skin. The Veggie Meter device uses pressure mediated reflection spectroscopy to assess skin carotenoid level in the fingertip. Skin carotenoid levels are positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. A higher score generally indicates more fruit and vegetable intake, which is thought to be a better outcome. The primary outcome was change in skin carotenoid levels calculated by the skin carotenoid value at 3 weeks minus the value at baseline. |
| 6-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | Change in skin carotenoid status from baseline to 6 weeks | Skin carotenoid level is a number from 0 to 800 that approximates carotenoids in the skin. The Veggie Meter device uses pressure mediated reflection spectroscopy to assess skin carotenoid level in the fingertip. Skin carotenoid levels are positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. A higher score generally indicates more fruit and vegetable intake, which is thought to be a better outcome. The primary outcome was change in skin carotenoid levels calculated by the value at 6 weeks minus the value at baseline. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Low Dose 1 x 6 ounces of carotenoid-containing juice (4 mg carotenoids/6 oz)
High carotenoid juice: Juice with high carotenoids | 53 |
| High Dose 2 x 6 ounces of carotenoid-containing juice (8 mg carotenoids/12 oz)
High carotenoid juice: Juice with high carotenoids | 56 |
| Placebo 6 ounces of apple juice (negligible carotenoids 0.03 mg/6 oz)
Placebo control - Apple juice: Juice with negligible carotenoids | 53 |
| Total | 162 |
Withdrawals & dropouts
| Period | Reason | FG000 | FG001 | FG002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study | Protocol Violation | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Overall Study | Withdrawal by Subject | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Low Dose | Total | Placebo | High Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 33.1 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.8 | 32.3 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.1 | 31.3 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.1 | 32.5 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.4 |
| Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Asian | 14 Participants | 40 Participants | 13 Participants | 13 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American | 13 Participants | 41 Participants | 13 Participants | 15 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 12 Participants | 37 Participants | 12 Participants | 13 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) White | 14 Participants | 44 Participants | 15 Participants | 15 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 20 Participants | 83 Participants | 36 Participants | 27 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 33 Participants | 79 Participants | 17 Participants | 29 Participants |
| Skin Carotenoid Level | 310.8 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 101.7 | 298.0 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 97.1 | 293.6 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 100.9 | 290.2 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 89.1 |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk | EG002 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 52 | 0 / 54 | 0 / 52 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 52 | 0 / 54 | 0 / 52 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 52 | 0 / 54 | 0 / 52 |
Outcome results
Primary
3-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status
Skin carotenoid level is a number from 0 to 800 that approximates carotenoids in the skin. The Veggie Meter device uses pressure mediated reflection spectroscopy to assess skin carotenoid level in the fingertip. Skin carotenoid levels are positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. A higher score generally indicates more fruit and vegetable intake, which is thought to be a better outcome. The primary outcome was change in skin carotenoid levels calculated by the skin carotenoid value at 3 weeks minus the value at baseline.
Time frame: Change in skin carotenoid status from baseline to 3 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Dose | 3-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 28.0 units on a scale |
| High Dose | 3-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 62.3 units on a scale |
| Placebo | 3-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 9.34 units on a scale |
Primary
6-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status
Skin carotenoid level is a number from 0 to 800 that approximates carotenoids in the skin. The Veggie Meter device uses pressure mediated reflection spectroscopy to assess skin carotenoid level in the fingertip. Skin carotenoid levels are positively correlated with fruit and vegetable intake. A higher score generally indicates more fruit and vegetable intake, which is thought to be a better outcome. The primary outcome was change in skin carotenoid levels calculated by the value at 6 weeks minus the value at baseline.
Time frame: Change in skin carotenoid status from baseline to 6 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Dose | 6-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 59.0 units on a scale |
| High Dose | 6-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 123 units on a scale |
| Placebo | 6-week Change in Skin Carotenoid Status | 11.9 units on a scale |