Absorption estimates improve the validity of the relationship between dietary and serum lycopene.

Objective: Studies show low correlations between dietary intake and serum concentrations of lycopene, which make it difficult to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions with this phytonutrient. We hypothesized that 1) combining food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and 3-d diet records (3D-DRs) by the triads method would improve the validity of this relation and 2) correcting dietary information for differences in lycopene absorption from food matrices would further improve validity.

Methods: We measured dietary intakes of lycopene from 49 adults by 3D-DR and FFQ. Serum lycopene was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically. Lycopene-containing foods were given absorption factors based on literature and laboratory values. Associations between dietary and serum lycopene were modeled using multiple regression. The triads method was used for validation of relations among FFQ, 3D-DR, and serum lycopene.

Results: Raw data showed low correlations between dietary and serum lycopene (r=+0.15 for 3D-DR, +0.35 for FFQ). Mathematical modeling showed that the 3D-DR and FFQ methods must be used to collect accurate dietary information for lycopene. Validity coefficients calculated by the triads method were +0.34 for 3D-DR and +0.78 for FFQ. Correcting for absorption increased the validity coefficient to +0.72 for 3D-DR and from +0.45 to +0.66 for serum lycopene.

Conclusion: The relation between dietary intake and serum concentrations of lycopene and other carotenoids can be improved by collecting 3D-DR and FFQ data and by adjusting dietary information for nutrient absorption.