Recommendations for the Use of the Veggie Meter® for Spectroscopy-Based Skin Carotenoid Measurements in the Research Setting

Overview

Journal Curr Dev Nutr

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2021 Sep 3

PMID 34476333

Citations 19

Authors

Marcela D Radtke

Mykaela Poe

Jodi Stookey

Stephanie Jilcott Pitts

Nancy E Moran

Matthew J Landry

Lewis P Rubin

Virginia C Stage

Rachel E Scherr

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Carotenoids are a class of phytochemical compounds found in a variety of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and, therefore, are commonly used as a biomarker for F/V intake. The Veggie Meter is a noninvasive research-grade instrument that detects and quantifies carotenoids in the skin. To determine current practices and examine variability among users, a survey was administered to researchers using the device ( = 19, response rate = 35.8%) and variation in anatomical site preparation, calibration, number of measurements, measurement site, and documentation was observed. A protocol was developed in partnership with Veggie Meter users to outline the preparation, calibration, and data collection procedures for using this device for research purposes. Although many protocol conditions will benefit from additional validation, this standardized protocol supports the development of a universal data repository to establish usual observed ranges, with the ultimate goal of examining associations between skin carotenoid scores and diet-related health outcomes.

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