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Alpha Carotene
FACTS
I
kick off the Hot 10 with alpha carotene, first
among the illustrious carotenoid family. Carotenoids
are substances in fruits and vegetables that are
natural coloring agents. Recently, researchers
have discovered that carotenoids are much more
than mere decoration-they have powerful antioxidant
and anticancer properties. Although plants
need sunlight to thrive and grow, constant exposure
to the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun
can trigger the formation of dangerous free radicals,
which can cause genetic damage. In order to survive,
plants need a mechanism to protect themselves
from these potentially troublesome UV rays. Carotenoids
are natural sunscreens that filter out UV radiation
and protect plants and human beings from other
environmental carcinogens. There are more than
500 different carotenoids in plants, and about
50 can be found in edible fruits and vegetables.
Of
the entire carotenoid family, the most famous
is beta-carotene. Scientists have primarily focused
their research on beta-carotene because of its
pro-vitamin A activity; that is, it is converted
into vitamin A as the body needs it. Until recently,
it was widely believed that beta-carotene itself
was useless and could be used by the body only
after its conversion into vitamin A. We now know
that carotonoids such as beta-carotene may each
offer particular advantages. In the 1980's, beta-carotene
stole the spotlight because of studies that suggested
it might protect against certain types of cancer.
When researchers investigated whether other carotenoids
could also have hidden benefits, the results were
quite astonishing. Not only did some of these
lesser-known carotenoids show significant anticancer
activity, many were even more potent than beta-carotene.
A case in point is alpha carotene, long neglected
but now a rising star among supplements. Several
studies have shown that alpha carotene can drastically
reduce the number of tumors in animals with lung,
liver, and skin cancer. In fact, alpha carotene
may be ten times more powerful than beta-carotene
in protecting skin, eye, liver and lung tissue
against free radical damage. Like beta-carotene,
alpha carotene is also converted to vitamin A.
The best food sources of alpha carotene are cooked
carrot and pumpkin.
Alpha
carotene is sold alone, included in mixed carotenoid
supplements, and included in antioxidant formulas.
POSSIBLE
BENEFITS
Works
as a natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
Shows
strong anticancer activity.
THE
RIGHT AMOUNT
Take
3 -6 mg of mixed carotenoids daily.
Personal
Advice
The
fruits and vegetables that are commonly eaten
in the United States provide about 20 different
carotenoids, but Americans often do not get enough
carotenoids from diet alone. In fact, studies
show that only 10 percent of the population eats
five servings of fruits and vegetables daily,
as recommended by the National Cancer Institute.
Try to eat as many carotenoid-rich foods as possible
such as dark green leafy vegetables and red and
orange fruits. To cover your bases, however, I
recommend taking a broad-spectrum antioxidant
with alpha and beta carotenoids, plus two other
Hot 100 supplements, lycopene and lutein. (Lycopene
has been associated with a reduced risk of prostrate
cancer; lutein may help protect against muscular
degeneration.)
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