Beta Carotene
The Carotenoids Page

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

If there are terms in these articles you don't understand, you can get a definition from the Merriam Webster Medical Dictionary.   If you want information about a specific disease, you can access the Merck Manual.   You can also search Pub Med for more abstracts on this topic.

Jump to:    Carotenoid Articles      Carotenoid Abstracts

---

Other Pages:	Acidophilus	Alpha Lipoic Acid	Antioxidants	Beta Carotene
	Bioflavonoids	Co–Q10	Gamma-Linolenic	Ginkgo
	Glucosamine	Magnesium	Omega-3 Acids	Selenium
	Soy Protein	Vitamin B	Antibiotic Abuse	Iatrogenic Injury

Conditions That Respond Well

Alternative Medicine Approaches to Disease

Carotenoid Articles

   Role of Male Factor in Early Recurrent Embryo Loss:
Do Antioxidants Have Any Effect?
Fertil Steril 2008 (Sep 29) [Epub ahead of print]
Of the 17 men, 9 (53%) presented with an increased %DFI or TBARS. They were started on an antioxidant supplementation regimen. Of these nine men, six of their spouses became pregnant. All couples whose male partners accepted antioxidant supplementation achieved a successful pregnancy.


   Astaxanthin, Canthaxanthin and Beta-carotene Differently Affect UVA-induced Oxidative Damage and Expression of Oxidative Stress-responsive Enzymes
Exp Dermatol 2008 (Sep 18) [Epub ahead of print]
Editorial Comment:.   This article is a perfect reminder that we can't rely on just ONE antioxidant, and expect the amazing results found when you eat a diet filled with fruits and vegetables. This is why you need to either eat a broad spectrum of antioxidants (carotenoids, flavonoids, Vitamins C, E, selenium, zinc etc) OR eat many servings of fruits and vegetables every day, to support ALL the various enzyme systems that reduce our risks of developing cancer and other diseases.


   Beta-Carotene: The Controversy Continues
           Alternative Medicine Review 2000 (Dec);   5 (6):   530-545 ~ FULL TEXT
           The safety of synthetic b-carotene supplements and the role of isomeric forms of b-carotene (synthetic all-trans versus "natural" cis-trans isomeric mixtures), in addition to the importance of the protective role of other carotenoids like lycopene and lutein, have become topics of debate in the scientific and medical communities. This review addresses the biochemistry and physiology of the cis versus trans isomers of b-carotene as well as relevant studies comparing the absorption and storage of the synthetic versus natural forms of b-carotene.


   Natural Therapies for Ocular Disorders

   Part I:   Diseases of the Retina
Alternative Medicine Review 1999 (Oct);   4 (5):   342–359 ~ FULL TEXT
During the past few decades numerous studies have been published on the efficacy of nutritional and botanical medicines in the prevention and treatment of ocular diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, glaucoma, and others. Part One of this review will explore the research on diseases of the retina, including macular degeneration, retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa.

   Part II:   Cataracts and Glaucoma
Alternative Medicine Review 2001 (Apr);   6 (2):   141–166 ~ FULL TEXT
Part one of this article was published in the October 1999 issue of Alternative Medicine Review and discussed nutritional and botanical approaches to conditions of the retina. This second part covers alternative treatments for nonretinal disorders: senile cataracts, diabetic cataracts, and chronic open-angle glaucoma.

   The "Comeback" Carotenoids
           Research shows that eating ample amounts of lycopene-rich tomatoes greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene is the most potent carotenoid antioxidant, followed by beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin.


   Carotenoids Come of Age
           Carotenoids are considered potential membrane antioxidants due to reactivity with singlet oxygen and oxygen free radicals. Singlet oxygen has been implicated in biological systems and is capable of damaging proteins, lipids and DNA and therefore is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. The anti-cancer activity of carotenoids may be, at least in part, attributable to its antioxidant activity insofar as oxygen radicals are related to the processes leading to human cancer.


   Pioneering Astaxanthin
           During the late nineties, antioxidant research surged, particularly on carotenoids—that fat-soluble group of pigments widely distributed in plants and animals. Carotenoids have demonstrable antioxidant abilities and are thought to be important in helping to prevent numerous diseases. Some of the more exciting new research is being done on age-related macular degeneration. As a member of the carotenoid group xanthophylls, astaxanthin possesses oxygen in its chemical structure. Other xanthophylls include canthaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Some of the better-known carotenoids of other groups are beta-carotene (present in carrots), lycopene (in tomatoes) and lutein (in spinach). Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin lacks pro-vitamin A activity. [1]


   Preventing Macular Degeneration
           As each of us gets older, the faculty that most notably deteriorates is our vision. One optical problem receiving increasing attention today is "macular degeneration," an eye disease affecting the central part of the retina. Recent research suggests that carotenoids, particularly Lutein and Zeaxanthin, seem to reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration. You might also enjoy a similar article (called Second Sight) which discusses the impact antioxidants and carotenoids have on preventing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Carotenoid Abstracts

   ASTAXANTHIN  


   BETA–CAROTENE


   LUTEIN


   LYCOPENE


   SULFORAPHANE


   ZEAXANTHIN

Return to the NUTRITION Section

Since 2-01-1998

Updated 10-21-2008