Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Is beta-carotene an antioxidant?

D V Crabtree¹, A J Adler

¹Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. crabtree@vision.eri.harvard.edu

Medical Hypotheses

|February 1, 1997

Summary

This study challenges the common belief that beta-carotene acts as a free-radical scavenger in the body. It proposes that beta-carotene, other carotenoids, and their metabolites may actually be harmful to mammals.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

What women want: A mixed-methods study of women's health priorities, preferences, and experiences in care in three Rwandan rural districts.

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·2023

Same author

Estimating the prevalence of obstetric fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC pregnancy and childbirth·2013

Same author

A functional haplotype of UBE2L3 confers risk for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Genes and immunity·2012

Same author

Incidence of severe acute maternal morbidity associated with abortion: a systematic review.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2011

Same author

SAAG-4 is a novel mosquito salivary protein that programmes host CD4 T cells to express IL-4.

Parasite immunology·2009

Same author

A novel sphingomyelinase-like enzyme in Ixodes scapularis tick saliva drives host CD4 T cells to express IL-4.

Parasite immunology·2009

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Nutrition Science
Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

Beta-carotene is widely considered an in vivo antioxidant and free-radical scavenger.
The established role of carotenoids in human health is primarily linked to their antioxidant properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a counter-hypothesis regarding the in vivo function of beta-carotene.
To explore potential biochemical mechanisms by which beta-carotene and related compounds may be detrimental.
To question the antioxidant role of macular pigment carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin.

Main Methods:

Theoretical review and biochemical analysis.
Examination of existing literature on carotenoid metabolism and oxidative stress.
Hypothetical modeling of biochemical interactions.

Main Results:

Proposes that beta-carotene may not function as a free-radical scavenger in vivo.
Suggests potential pro-oxidant or harmful effects of beta-carotene, other carotenoids, and their metabolites.
Challenges the antioxidant hypothesis for lutein and zeaxanthin.

Conclusions:

The conventional view of beta-carotene as a universal in vivo antioxidant may be inaccurate.
Further research is needed to elucidate the complex biochemical roles and potential risks of carotenoids and their metabolites in mammalian systems.
The antioxidant capacity of macular carotenoids warrants re-evaluation.

Related Experiment Videos