Carotenoids

WHAT IS A CAROTENOID:
They are a group of green, orange, red and yellow substances found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. They are one of the major classes of Phytochemicals, the other being Bioflavonoids. The carotenoid, beta-carotene, is what gives fruits and vegetables their color.

Their are six major carotenoids, which are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptosanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin.

FOOD SOURCES ARE:
Kale, spinach, squash

CAROTENOIDS are used by the body in creating Vitamin A. When consuming a wide variety of carotenoids, your body will have a very sufficient supply of Vitamina A, along with antioxidant protection. What the body does not use for Vitamin A is then carried throughout and dispersed into fatty tissues, where it takes care of excessing singlet oxygen radicals and preventing lipid peroxidation.

DEFICIENCY:
The Carotenes you consume are transported throughout the body by the 'bad' LDL cholesterol. And you won't get enough carotene absorption without having enough of the LDL cholesterol to transport it. A good example of how your cholesterol can be too low. Beta-carotene keeps the LDL from oxidation, which is what causes the harm, and Beta-carotene will also raise your levels of the 'good' HDL cholesterol.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTONS:
Blurred vision, infections, colds, cancer

MAY BE BENEFICIAL:
For optimal absortion of high carotene foods it is best to consume them with some dietary fat. So if you are on a low-fat diet, you won't get enough of what your body needs.

FOOD SOURCES ARE
Small amounts are in watermelon and pink grapefruit
Tomatoes are the best source for dietary purposes.

LYCOPENE is found in tomatoes and is released when heated. However, it is not absorbed without dietary fat, such as olive oil.

MAY BE BENEFICIAL:
Most beneficial as tomato paste or sauce, heated and made with olive oil

FOOD SOURCES ARE
LUTEIN AND ZEAXANTHIN are yellow and they give corn their color.
Kale, spinach, corn and orange peppers. Also egg yolks, being the best source of lutein and zeaxanthin.

LUTEIN AND ZEAXANTHIN are concentrated in the macula, the back of the eye. The eye is exposed to blue and ultraviolet light all the time and the tissue needs high antioxidants of Lutein and Zeaxanthin to prevent damage

DEFICIENCY SYMPTONS
Failing vision, but may take a while to show up

MAY BE BENEFICIAL:
To stop smoking, as smokers are more likely to develop AMD






SHOP FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Antioxidant Anti-Aging Alpha-Lipoic-Acid Bilberry Burdock Carotenoids CoEnzyme-Q10 Curcumin-Turmeric Flavonoids Garlic Ginkgo-Biloba Glutathione Grape-Seed-Extract Green-Tea Melatonin Methionine N-Acetylcysteine-NAC NADH OPC Pycnogenol Selenium Silymarin Superoxide-Dismutase Vitamin-A Vitamin-C Vitamin-E Zinc