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.
Carotenoids
capsules
Carotenoids include such carotenes as lycopene lutein zeaxanthin cryptoxanthin
and health benefits
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.
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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.
Click here to buy a Carotenoids supplement or to subscribe to a highly popular and FREE newsletter
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.
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.
Mangosteen is an herb
that has xanthones and is a potent antioxidant..
carotenoids carotene lycopene lutein zeaxanthin
cryptoxanthin beta-carotene health benefits