| Other factors that affect vitamin A and carotenoid absorption include:
• the presence of fat, protein, and antioxidants in the food
• the presence of bile and a normal complement of pancreatic enzymes in the intestinal lumen
• and the integrity of the mucosal cells.
Table 67. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 If you have an eye disease, or are at risk for one, please supplement your daily vitamins with the following:
• Vitamin C, at least 1,000 mg of vitamin C a day, with bioflavonoids
• A mixed carotenoid supplement
• Vitamin E, 400 IU
• Vitamin A, 10,000 IU a day
• Quercetin and rutin are bioflavonoids that help keep your retinas healthy; try 1,000 to 1,500 mg a day.
• Magnesium at bedtime, between 300 to 400 mg
• Coenzyme Q10 is a great circulation booster, 90 to 200 mg a day
• Carnitine can help boost the heart's pumping power and get more nourishment to your optic nerves and retinas. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
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 Supplemental beta-carotene is known to inhibit the absorption of the carotenoid lutein which itself may have chemopreventive activity. Beta-carotene may have a co-carcinogenic effect. Beta-carotene has been found in the rat lung to produce a booster effect on phase I carcinogen-bioactivating enzymes, including activators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Finally, oxidative metabolites of beta-carotene may diminish retinoid signaling and eventually enhance carcinogenesis. The mechanism of the possible effect of beta-carotene in enhancing lung cancer in smokers remains a mystery. |
| Other reviewers, while noting that beta-carotene has exhibited considerable, credible anti-cancer activity in a number of studies, conclude that "chronic pharmacological supplementation is not recommended for healthy populations, and the carotenoid may actually be deleterious to smokers. |
| NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Lutein: Concomitant intake of the carotenoid lutein and beta-carotene may decrease the absorption of lutein.
Pectin: Concomitant intake of pectin and beta-carotene may decrease the absorption of beta-carotene.
FOODS
Olestra: Concomitant intake of olestra and beta-carotene may decrease the absorption of beta-carotene.
OVERDOSAGE
Beta-Carotene overdosage is not reported in the literature.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Beta-carotene supplements are available as synthetic beta-carotene and natural beta-carotene. |
| Lutein and Zeaxanthin
DESCRIPTION
Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of the carotenoid family, a family best known for another one of its members, beta-carotene (see Beta-Carotene). They are natural fat-soluble yellowish pigments found in some plants, algae and photo-synthetic bacteria. They serve as accessory light-gathering pigments and to protect these organisms against the toxic effects of ultra-violet radiation and oxygen. They also appear to protect humans against phototoxic damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the macula of the human retina, as well as the human crystalline lens. |
| In contrast to beta-carotene, lycopene has no vitamin A activity and thus is a nonprovitamin A carotenoid.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS
Lycopene may have anticarcinogenic and antiatherogenic activities.
The intake of tomato-based foods, especially processed tomato products, is associated with a significantly lower risk for prostate cancer, and also appears to be associated with a lower risk for lung cancer. The mechanism of the possible anticarcinogenic activity of lycopene is not well understood, but there are a few hypotheses. |
| Role of lycopene as antioxidant carotenoid in the prevention of chronic diseases: a review. Nutr Res. 1999; 19:305-323.
Rao AV, Fleshner N, Agarwal S. Serum and tissue lycopene and biomarkers of oxidation in prostate cancer patients: a case-control study. Nutr Cancer. 1999; 33:159-164.
Riso P, Pinder A, Santangelo A, Porrini M. Does tomato consumption effectively increase the resistance of lymphocyte DNA to oxidative damage? Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69:712-718.
Sengupta A, Das S. The anti-carcinogenic role of lycopene, abundantly present in tomato. Eur J Cancer Prev. 1999; 8:325-330. |
Nicola Reavley
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 Lycopene: a carotenoid pigment. Lymph: a fluid produced in organs and tissues that circulates through the lymphatic vessels and eventually joins blood circulation.
Lymphocyte: a type of white blood cell. Lysine: an amino acid.
Lysosome: a cell particle that contains digestive enzymes.
Macrocytic anemia: a blood disorder where the cells are larger than normal. Macronutrients: a nutrient required in large quantities for normal body function. Macrophage: a white blood cell. Macula: macula lutea. A spot at the center of the retina where vision is clearest. |
Rebecca Wood
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 Health Benefits Higher in sugar than potatoes, sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of carotenoid antioxidants; they also contain calcium. They are high in vitamins A and C, with a fair amount of thiamine. In Oriental medicine, sweet potatoes are valued for nourishing the spleen-pancreas, stomach, and large intestine meridians; for quenching thirst; and for lubricating dry conditions. Sweet potatoes are also valued for building the kidneys; overconsumption, however, may cause abdominal swelling and indigestion. Sweet potatoes reduce pitta and vata. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Other factors that affect vitamin A and carotenoid absorption include:
• the presence of fat, protein, and antioxidants in the food
• the presence of bile and a normal complement of pancreatic enzymes in the intestinal lumen
• the integrity of the mucosal cells.
The absorption efficiency of dietary vitamin A is usually quite high (80-90%), with only a slight reduction in efficiency at high doses. In contrast, beta-carotene's absorption efficiency is much lower (40-60%), and it decreases rapidly with increasing dosage. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
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 Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and carotenoid (same family as beta-carotene) that has been found in tomato products, and has been strongly associated with reduced risk for prostate cancer.54 We are betting that the imo, with its reddish-purple pigmentation, may, like the tomato, be a potent source of lycopene, and our research group is currently investigating this possibility.
Usage. Use imo or sweet potatoes as a frequent side dish or mix them into other dishes. Purple potatoes have a similar pigment to imo and provide a good substitute in many dishes. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 High in trace elements, antioxidant cofactors, flavonoids, and carotenoid.
Coenzyme Q10. Every cell in the body needs this coenzyme to create energy and build stamina.
NADH. Also known as coenzyme 1, NADH is a naturally occurring substance in the body that supplies energy to the cells, allowing them to live longer.
Thymus extract. Pure oral thymus extract enhances immune function and helps reverse the aging process.
Tyrosine. Strengthens the thyroid and adrenal glands, protecting against stress.
ENZYME THERAPY. |
Frantisek Stary
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 They contain chiefly mucilages, plus saponins, carotenoid pigments, flavonoid glycosides and traces of an essential oil. These determine the drug's medicinal use. It has a combined expectorant action, caused by the saponins, and soothing, healing action, due to the mucilaginous component. The pigments and flavonoid glycoside hesperin give the drug its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory action, to which the essential oil, albeit present only in minute quantity, also contributes. |
Stephanie Beling
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 The golden orange flesh of this fruit, lightly tinged with pink, is an indication of its carotenoid content. It also contains flavonoids, protease inhibitors that keep viruses in check, and an enzyme that aids digestion.
In shopping for papaya, look for skin that is green tinged with rose and a creamy yellow orange. The shape should be pearlike, but the papaya is much larger than a pear. Sniff the stem end; the ripe papaya should have a sweet fragrance, never harsh. In the refrigerator, papaya lasts about a week.
To eat, peel the fruit, then scoop out the black seeds and save them. |
| Much of the tomato's cancer-fighting prowess is attributable to the carotenoid lycopene, provider of its red pigment. Almost as potent are the coumanns and phenolic acids that block that notorious carcinogen, nitrosamine, which might otherwise be formed in the body.
Tomatoes are also, of course, rich in Vitamins A and C; they contain some fiber; they offer minerals, especially potassium; and they weigh in at about 30 calories per tomato.
When shopping for tomatoes, from cherry tomatoes to the beefsteaks, look for smooth, plump, fragrant specimens. |
| A diet focusing on PowerFoods rich in antioxidants strengthens your defense against cholesterol buildup:
O Carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins, squash, kale, broccoli, cantaloupe—all great sources of the powerful carotenoid antioxidants
0 Cucumber—a source of cholesterol-lowering sterols
O Citrus fruits—provide terpenes to decrease arterial plaque.
Third, bump up fiber. Soluble fibers act like a cholesterol sponge and aid in clearing LDL cholesterol from your body. Insoluble fibers aid in elimination. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
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 In a recent study of 3,806 men with increased levels of cholesterol, participants with higher carotenoid levels in the blood had decreased risk of coronary artery disease. This finding was stronger among men who never smoked.
During the next several years, results from observational studies and randomized trials may permit specific public-health recommendations that go beyond eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. |
| Lycopene is a protective carotenoid responsible for the red color in tomatoes. Several studies have observed a direct association between increased consumption of tomatoes and a reduction in the risk of prostate cancer. When it comes to prostate health, men should consider the nutritional protection found in tomatoes and tomato sauces, as well as the many soy products I have discussed in previous sections of this book.
However, there are specific herbs and nutritionals that are also useful in prostate healing. |
J. Robert Hatherill
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 Canthaxanthin
A carotenoid that is widely distributed and part of a large family of over 600 yellow, orange, and red plant pigments.
Carbon disulfide
An industrial chemical used in the manufacture of rubber. It is well known to cause toxicity to the nervous system.
Carcinogen
Any agent or substance that causes cancer. Cardiomyopathy
Collectively a series of disease changes that result in abnormal functions of the heart muscle.
Cataract
A loss of transparency in the lens of the eye. Catechin
A plant chemical from the tannin group. Green tea is a rich source of catechins. |
| Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid stored in the prostate gland, and it is more potent than beta carotene in protecting against prostate cancer. But lycopene is not stored for very long, which means that a daily dose of lycopene-rich food is in every man's best interest. Lycopene is absorbed better when tomatoes are cooked with olive oil or baked. If you cannot include tomato-based foods in your diet, then take lycopene supplements (see appendix F). Also, limit synthetic fat intake, since it reduces beta carotene and the amount of lycopene in the body. |
| Beta carotene
A class of carotenoid that is widely distributed and part of a large family of over 600 yellow, orange, and red plant pigments, notably in carrots. Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A.
Bile
A green fluid secreted by the gall bladder into the small intestine. Bile acts like a soap, breaking fat into a mixture that can be absorbed into the blood. Primary bile acids can be converted by bacteria that reside in the intestine into secondary bile acids. Secondary bile acids are more toxic to the surfaces of the large intestine. |
Rupert Sheldrake
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 The direction from which light is coming is detected by the differential absorption of radiant energy on the illuminated and shaded sides of organs by a yellow carotenoid pigment.4 The sense of 'touch' by which climbing shoots and tendrils locate solid supports may involve the release of a simple chemical, ethylene, from the surface cells which are mechanically stimulated.5 The change-over from etiolated to normal growth depends on the absorption of light by a blue protein pigment called phytochrome. |
Robyn Landis
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 Beta-carotene was used in isolation from the other carotenoid compounds that accompany it in foods.
2. Synthetic beta-carotene was used, and there are molecular differences between natural and synthetic that influence how the body uses beta-carotene. The atomic structure of the natural form makes it a more potent antioxidant, according to several other studies.8
3. The studies were not controlled for other lifestyle tisk factors, such as drinking alcohol in addition to smoking.
4. |
Zorba Paster, M.D. and Susan Meltsner
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 Taking antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and a carotenoid and flavonoid supplement. But the data on the effectiveness of this are very skimpy.
26. Get a Chest X Ray to Screen for Lung Cancer Impact ?
The most common cancer, other than skin cancer, striking Americans today is also the deadliest. Sixty percent of lung cancer patients die within a year of their diagnosis. Unfortunately, only 15 percent of all lung cancers are found before they've spread beyond the lungs. |
Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Vitamin C—500 to 1,000 milligrams
Vitamin E—400 IU
Lipoic acid—100 milligrams
Milk thistle (85% silymarin)—450 milligrams
Mixed carotenoid complex—25,000 IU
Selenium—200 micrograms
Green tea—2 to 5 cups daily
°^ Diabetes
People with diabetes have many extra nutritional needs. The following antioxidants are very important.
Vitamin E—800 IU Lipoic acid—100 to 600 milligrams Vitamin C—1,000 to 3,000 milligrams Coenzyme Q10—100 milligrams
°^ High Cholesterol and Heart Disease
High cholesterol levels by themselves are not the problem when it comes to heart disease. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
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| Lycopene, a carotenoid that is in the same family as beta-carotene, has received a lot of attention since a Harvard study53 showed that it might protect against prostate cancer. Again, the mechanism is unknown, but its ability to block testosterone and/or its antioxidant effect may be partially responsible. Lycopene is thought to be a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E, which also appears to decrease prostate cancer risk and seems to penetrate the prostate well, as evidenced by its presence in tissue samples from autopsy studies of the prostate. |
| Lycopene is a carotenoid, like beta-carotene but much more potent. Cooked tomatoes appear to be more cancer-protective than fresh, especially if cooked in oil (lycopene is fat-soluble so it needs oil for absorption). Definitely add tomatoes to your shopping list.
There was a time—not long ago—when doctors were reluctant to acknowledge that herbs or foods might offer specific health benefits. That time is over because we now have scientific studies to support the use of specific foods and herbs in the healing process. |
| Both have a high carotenoid content and are rich in saponins, flavonoids such as beta-sitosterol, alkaloids, tannins (healthy compounds found in tea), and vitamin E. Originally, the wild yam was the sole raw material for manufacturing contraceptive hormones, cortisone, and anabolic steroids.52 It is also believed to contain significant quantities of dioscin, a hormonelike compound with anti-inflammatory ability, but there is little evidence that dioscin gets into the human body when either yams or sweet potatoes are ingested. |
Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
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 Even one of the authors cited in support of the thesis that carotenoid antioxidants are protective in smokers has admitted that various studies revealed only "a slightly lower than average incidence of cancer among people with above average intake of B-carotene" and that even this slim association may be arti-factual.31 A recent large-scale case control study32 produced no evidence "relating intake or serum levels of antioxidant vitamins to a reduced cancer risk."
Evidence for major carcinogenic effects of trace natural components of U.S. diets is speculative. |
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