Carotenoids capsules and health benefits, review of astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, carotene and other beneficial substances
Carotenoids are a group of fat soluble pigments widely distributed in plants
and animals. Dietary carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits in decreasing the
risk of disease, particularly certain cancers and eye disease. The carotenoids
that have been most studied in this regard are lycopene, beta-carotene,
Lutein, zeaxanthin and
Astaxanthin. In part, the beneficial effects of carotenoids are thought to be due to their
role as antioxidants. Beta-Carotene may have added benefits due its ability to be
converted to vitamin A.
Food sources of these compounds include a
variety of fruits and vegetables, although the primary sources of lycopene are tomato and
tomato products, along with watermelon. Lycopene has been found to reduce the risk of
prostate cancer. Egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and
zeaxanthin. Lutein
and zeaxanthin may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light
that enters the eye.
Carotenoids are available in supplement form.
However, intervention trials with large doses of beta-carotene found an adverse effect on
the incidence of lung cancer in smokers and workers exposed to asbestos. Until the
efficacy and safety of taking supplements containing these nutrients can be determined,
current dietary recommendations of diets high in fruits and vegetables are advised.
However, it is possible that a combination pill containing several carotenoids may be
preferable to taking a high dose of one carotenoid.
Carotenoids from vegetable juices are
able to enhance the immune system in those who normally have a low intake of carotenoids.
Carotenoids ingested as supplements
act as antioxidants.
Buy Carotenoid complex 120 capsules - Now Foods
Many diverse carotenoids besides beta-carotene play
vital roles in maintaining good health, especially in protecting against
free radical damage. Yet, most Americans don't eat enough vegetables.
Also consider
Fucoxanthin which is a carotenoid from seaweed.
Carotenoids and cancer
Carotenoids are 40-carbon molecules with conjugated double bonds, making them
particularly effective for quenching free radicals. They are believed to possess
anticancer properties, which could be due to their antioxidant potential.
Carotenoids in papaya and mangos
Systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed in three
forms (juice, fresh and dry slice).
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Oct;61(10):1180-8.
Gouado I, Schweigert FJ, Ejoh RA, Tchouanguep MF, Camp JV.
Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, University of Douala,
Douala, Cameroon.
To assess the systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed as juice, fresh or dried
slices. Two groups of seven healthy volunteers (24 and 25 years
of age; body mass index: 21 and 22 kg/m(2) respectively for subjects fed
mango and papaya), were submitted to three types of meal treatments
(juice, fresh and dried fruit). All the treatments lasted only one day
during which blood samples were collected. From the major carotenoids present in papaya and mangoes, lutein,
alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were found in considerable amounts.
Lycopene and cryptoxanthin that were the major carotenoids in papaya
samples appeared in low amounts in the chylomicrons. The three forms of
consumption contributed to the rise of serum retinol levels. A comparison
between the three forms revealed that papaya and mangoes consumed in form of
juice or fresh fruit are the best forms because they had higher bioavailability
values.
Carotenoid studies
Supplementation of a low-carotenoid diet with tomato or carrot juice modulates
immune functions in healthy men.
Watzl B. Haid-und-Neu-Strasse 9, DE-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2003;47(6):255-61.
Beta-carotene has been shown to enhance immune functions in humans.
Whether vegetables rich in carotenoids, such as beta-carotene or lycopene,
modulate immune functions in healthy humans is presently not known. The
objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a low-carotenoid diet
supplemented with either tomato (providing high amounts of lycopene) or carrot
juice (providing high amounts of alpha- and beta-carotene) on immune functions
in healthy men. In a blinded, randomized, cross-over study, male
subjects on a low-carotenoid diet consumed 330 ml/day of either tomato juice
(37.0 mg/day lycopene) or carrot juice (27.1 mg/day beta-carotene and 13.1
mg/day alpha-carotene) for 2 weeks with a 2-week depletion period after juice
intervention. Immune status was assessed by measuring lytic activity of natural
killer (NK) cells, secretion of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, TNFalpha), and
proliferation by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Juice
consumption resulted in relatively fast responses in plasma carotenoid
concentrations which were not accompanied by concomitant changes in
immune functions. For IL-2, NK cell cytotoxicity, and lymphocyte proliferation,
maximum responses were observed during depletion periods. The highest production
rate was measured only for TNFalpha at the end of the first intervention period.
Juice intervention did not modulate the secretion of IL-4.
Increased plasma carotenoid concentrations after vegetable juice consumption are
accompanied by a time-delayed modulation of immune functions in healthy men
consuming a low-carotenoid diet.
Questions from readers
I have read that taking beta-carotene is not good for lungs, is this true?
High doses of beta carotene supplements used by cigarette smokers
for many years increased the risk for lung cancer. We suggest using a carotenoid
supplement that has a number of these nutrients rather than a high dose of just
one carotenoid. One capsule two or three times a week is sufficient.