Obesity and metabolic syndrome: beta-cryptoxanthin shows positive results

Though relatively unknown, beta-cryptoxanthin continues to reveal benefits for human health. It has been arousing scientific interest for some years now due to the similarity between its chemical structure and that of beta carotene. While beta-carotene is familiar as the pigment in carrots, its main benefit lies in its antioxidant properties and its status as a precursor of vitamin A, a vitamin which plays a role in many processes in the body including vision. In addition to offering the same advantages as beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin is also being widely-studied for its preventive and therapeutic uses. In particular, scientists believe it has an effect on maintaining bone homeostasis by countering age-related effects, as well as in preventing some forms of cancer^1,2,3. Indeed, these findings were discussed in a recent article on the benefits of beta-cryptoxanthin, but it seems the nutrient is also showing positive results in combatting obesity.

Positive effects in moderately-obese women

Published in 2012 in the journalLipids in Health and Disease, a study was conducted on the effects of beta-cryptoxanthin supplementation in 17 moderately-obese Japanese women4. Basing their work on previous research, the scientists started from the premise that obese individuals have lower blood levels of beta-cryptoxanthin than normal-weight people. After three weeks’ supplementation, they noted a change in blood levels of adipocytokines. These are molecules produced by adipocytes, cells involved in controlling metabolism of fats and carbohydrates in the body. In particular, the study highlighted a significant increase in adiponectin, an adipocytokine which may be linked with obesity. Lower blood concentrations of adiponectin are seen in obese subjects, while increased levels have been observed during weight loss. The authors of the study thus concluded that treatment with beta-cryptoxanthin may have a beneficial effect against obesity, and in general, against metabolic syndrome. This is a collection of physiological symptoms, including obesity and hypertension, which is a risk factor for developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Similar results for moderately-obese men

More recently, positive results were obtained with beta-cryptoxanthin supplementation in mice, and subsequently in men, who were moderately-obese ⁴. Published inNutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Abdominal Obesity, the study’s highly-encouraging findings revealed reductions in visceral fat, weight and waist circumference in supplemented subjects. The natural extract of satsuma mandarin used in the study is today available as a dietary supplement with a high beta-cryptoxanthin content.

Additional studies on the role of beta-cryptoxanthin

To gain a better understanding of these results, the authors of the previous study examined the effects of beta-cryptoxanthin on pre-adipocytes, cells which can be converted into the adipocytes responsible for the storage of fat⁵. The researchers demonstrated that beta-cryptoxanthin not only stops pre-adipocytes from maturing, but also prevents hypertrophy of adipocytes and accumulation of lipids in mature adipocytes. This is yet more evidence of beta-cryptoxanthin’s benefits in preventing obesity, and more broadly, in combatting metabolic syndrome.

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Sources :

1. Burri BJ, La Frano MR, Zhu C, « Absorption, metabolism, and functions of β-cryptoxanthin », Nutr Rev, 2016 Feb, 74(2) : 69-82.
2. Yuan JM, Stram DO, Arakawa K, Lee HP, Yu MC, « Dietary cryptoxanthin and reduced risk of lung cancer: the Singapore Chinese Health Study », Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2003 Sep, 12(9) : 890-8.
3. Lian F, Hu KQ, Russell RM, Wang XD, « Beta-cryptoxanthin suppresses the growth of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells and non-small-cell lung cancer cells and up-regulates retinoic acid receptor beta expression », Int J Cancer, 2006 Nov 1, 119(9) : 2084-9.
4. Iwamoto M, Imai K, Ohta H, Shirouchi B, Sato M, « Supplementation of highly concentrated β-cryptoxanthin in a satsuma mandarin beverage improves adipocytokine profiles in obese Japanese women », Lipids Health Dis, 2012 May 14, 11 : 52.
5. Katsuhiko Takayanagi, Katsuyuki Mukai, « Chapter 34 – Beta-Cryptoxanthin, a Novel Carotenoid Derived from Satsuma Mandarin, Prevents Abdominal Obesity », Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Abdominal Obesity, 2014, Pages 381–399.