Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:35
Measurement of Carotenoids in Perifovea using the Macular Pigment Reflectometer
Published on: January 29, 2020
Carotenoids and human health
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 150 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada. v.rao@utoronto.ca
Pharmacological Research
|March 14, 2007
Summary
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidant phytochemicals like carotenoids, which help prevent chronic diseases. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant found in carotenoids, plays a key role in maintaining good health.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
- Health and Disease Prevention
Background:
- Oxidative stress contributes to chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
- Dietary guidelines emphasize fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant phytochemicals.
- Carotenoids, pigments in fruits and vegetables, are vital for health and disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the general role of carotenoids in human health.
- To specifically examine the health benefits of lycopene.
- To discuss carotenoid bioavailability, metabolism, and biological functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific evidence on carotenoids and health.
- Focus on the antioxidant properties and singlet oxygen quenching abilities of lycopene.
- Exploration of carotenoid's role in preventing chronic diseases.
Main Results:
- Carotenoids, including lycopene, are potent antioxidants that mitigate oxidative stress.
- Lycopene is a strong antioxidant and singlet oxygen quencher, without pro-vitamin A activity.
- Phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables are linked to the prevention of various chronic diseases.
Conclusions:
- Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended for health.
- Carotenoids play a significant role in disease prevention and maintaining good health.
- Further investigation into carotenoid bioavailability, metabolism, and functions is ongoing.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:30Vitamins
Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).