title: Carotenoid actions and their relation to health and disease.
abstract: Based on extensive epidemiological observation, fruits and vegetables that are a rich source of carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits by decreasing the risk of various diseases, particularly certain cancers and eye diseases. The carotenoids that have been most studied in this regard are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. 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. Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light that enters the eye. Food sources of these compounds include a variety of fruits and vegetables, although the primary sources of lycopene are tomato and tomato products. Additionally, egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. These 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111-1837, USA. norman.krinsky@tufts.edu
authors.forename: Norman I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Krinsky
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004032:Diet; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077276:Lycopene; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene; D014975:Lutein