Objective: To assess the effects of supplementation with the carotenoids, b-carotene or lycopene, at levels achievable within a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, on immune function in a group of free-living healthy elderly. Design: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. T cell subsets and the expression of functionally associated cell surface molecules, quanti®ed by¯ow cytometry, and lectin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, were compared before and following the treatment period. Subjects: Fifty-eight subjects aged over 65 y were recruited; 52 were included in the ®nal analysis. Interventions: Participants received one placebo, one lycopene (13.3 mg) or one b-carotene (8.2 mg) capsule daily for 12 weeks. Results: No signi®cant differences were observed in any of the parameters examined following either lycopene or b-carotene supplementation. Conclusions: In well-nourished, free-living, healthy elderly individuals, supplementation with relatively low levels of b-carotene or lycopene is not associated with either a bene®cial or detrimental effects on several aspects of cell-mediated immunity. Sponsorship: Financial support was provided by the Commission of the European Communities, speci®c programme AIR2 CT93-0888 DGXII SSMA,`Increased fruit and vegetable consumption within the EC: potential health bene®ts', co-ordinated by Professor S Southon, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK.

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