Lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoid vitamins:
Elderly individuals with specifically low lutein and zeaxanthin (which are carotenoid vitamins similar to beta-carotene), may face an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) according to a study that included 1,847 participants aged 61-82 years. The study calculated hazard ratios after adjusting for systolic bp, diabetes, age, smoking, diabetes, alcohol use, use of bp medication, gender, congestive heart failure, recurring atrial fibrillation, and myocardial infarction. The hazard ratio for lutein was 1.70 and for zeaxanthin it was 1.99. Lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and total carotenoids were not found to be associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation. (14)