Carotenoids -- Important Antioxidants - By: Richard A Stooker

The best known is beta-carotene, because of its provitamin A ability. However, we can synthesize Vitamin A from other carotenoids as well including alpha carotene (carrots, pumpkins, red and yellow peppers), beta-cryptoxanthin (oranges, tangerines, peaches, nectarines and papayas), and gamma-carotene

You can see that carotenoids tend to be the pigment that makes these fruits and vegetables red, orange or yellow.

There're over 600 types of carotenoids, though just a few dozen in the foods we normally eat. They're split into two categories: xanthophylls (which contain oxygen) and carotenes (which don't contain any oxygen).

Their coloring is an important part of their function. They absorb light for photosynthesis and protect chlorophyll from damage caused by sunlight.

What's really interesting, since most people interested enough in diet and health to be concerning about carotenoids also think they should be eating a low-fat diet, is that fats (lipids) are an important part of the bio-availability of dietary carotenoids. That is, to digest and use the carotenoids you eat, you should be eating them with some fat. A 2005 study found that taking avocado fruit and oil along with carotenoids increased the ability of people to digest and use them.

That's why people invented salad dressing. Not just for the taste (though that's important too), but so we can best use the carotenoids we're eating.

Eating higher amounts of carotenoids has been linked to having a lower risk of breast and lung cancer.

The carotenoid lycopene, commonly found in tomatoes, is especially important to men because it's linked to lower risk of prostate cancer.

Lutein and zeathanthin (xanthophylls found in corn and leafy vegetables) are believed to protect the macular region of our retinas from free radical damage, and so they may help prevent macular degeneration.

Natural sources of carotenoids include most every fruit and vegetable with orange-red-yellow color. Crude palm oil contains the highest concentration of provitamin A carotenoids. The Vietnamese Gac fruit contains the highest concentrate of lycopene.

Carotenoid supplementation is probably best done through taking it in natural form, from supplements made from natural sources or a superfood supplement. Many supplements for male health will contain lycopene.

Smokers are now advised to not take any beta-carotene as a supplement. Supposedly it's linked to a greater risk of lung cancer. Does this mean smokers shouldn't eat carrots?

About the Author

Richard Stooker is a freelance writer with a long time interest in health, nutrition, fitness and anti-aging. Recently he discovered the Pilates Rebounder exercise equipment.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Richard-A-Stooker/77357

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