Antioxidant vitamins and DHEAS in 747 MIDUS 3 older adults
In a cross-sectional MIDUS 3 biomarker sample of 747 older adults, higher α-tocopherol was associated with lower DHEAS, while retinol was positively associated with DHEAS; the other three antioxidants showed no significant association. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The cross-sectional MIDUS 3 Biomarker Project sample covered 2017–2022 and examined five serum antioxidants in relation to DHEAS. [1]
In adjusted models, higher α-tocopherol was associated with lower DHEAS (β = -0.09; 95% CI: [-0.172 to -0.009], P = 0.029). [1]
The conclusion reports a positive association between serum retinol and DHEAS, while β-cryptoxanthin, total lycopene and γ-tocopherol showed no significant association. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional biomarker cohort analysis (abstract)
- Population / context
- 747 MIDUS 3 Biomarker Project participants, 55.8% female, mean age 66.0 years (SD = 9.64).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 3, 2026
DHEAS and five serum antioxidants in MIDUS 3
The study asked whether circulating antioxidant concentrations relate to DHEAS levels in older adults. It used data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 3) Biomarker Project, collected 2017–2022, in a cross-sectional design. Five antioxidants were examined: β-cryptoxanthin, total lycopene, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and retinol. Analyses also considered age, sex, smoking history, creatinine, HbA1c, total cholesterol, body mass index, dietary quality, alcohol intake, physical activity and sleep quality.
Supporting source [1]
α-Tocopherol lower, retinol higher DHEAS
The analytical sample comprised 747 participants, 55.8% female, with a mean age of 66.0 years (SD = 9.64). In adjusted models, higher α-tocopherol concentrations were associated with lower DHEAS levels (β = -0.09; 95% CI: [-0.172 to -0.009], P = 0.029). The conclusion states that serum retinol levels were positively associated with DHEAS concentrations. No significant associations were observed for β-cryptoxanthin, total lycopene or γ-tocopherol. Increasing age, female sex and poorer sleep quality were significantly associated with lower DHEAS concentrations.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional associations, not causes
The design was cross-sectional, so the reported associations cannot establish whether antioxidant levels influence DHEAS or the reverse. DHEAS values were square-root transformed before multivariable linear regression, and models adjusted for all antioxidants and potential confounders. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report follow-up, so no temporal order between antioxidant measurement and DHEAS can be assumed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The design is cross-sectional, so associations are not causal and no temporal order is established. The abstract does not report follow-up.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Ashour L, Altiti L, Khawaldeh R, Abuqudaira B, Wadi RH, Jaber M, Najadat B, Jaber S, Awwad RI, Smadi TW, Mohammad SJ. · europepmc.org · September 3, 2026