title: Dietary carotenoids and certain cancers, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration: a review of recent research.
abstract: Key epidemiologic studies show associations between high dietary intakes of certain carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables and reduced risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancers, cardiovascular disease, and age-related macular degeneration, although overall the evidence is inconsistent. Little is known about the potential biochemical mechanisms whereby carotenoids might protect against disease, and human intervention trials are limited to high dose beta-carotene, which is not protective against lung cancer or cardiovascular disease. Authoritative scientific organizations continue to emphasize increased consumption of fruits and vegetables but do not make specific recommendations for carotenoids because of a lack of data that directly link them to disease reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Regulatory and Clinical Development, Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH 45224-1703, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Eldridge
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002338:Carotenoids; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids