Carotenoids Flashcards
Provitamin A carotenoids
o α-carotene
o β-carotene
o γ-carotene
o β-cryptoxanthin
Non-provitamin A carotenoids
o Lycopene
o Lutein
o Zeaxanthin
o Astaxanthin
β-carotene
- Red-orange pigment
- Lipid soluble
- Abundant in plants and fruit
- Converted to vitamin A in the body
β-carotene sources
- Brightly coloured (orange and yellow) fruits and vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables
β-carotene absorption
- Absorbed in the duodenum and jejunum primarily by cartenoid transporters at low concentrations and by passive diffusion at high concentrations
- Enhanced by gastric acid and the presence of dietary fat
- Inhibited by pectin and excessive vitamin E consumption
β-carotene metabolism
• β-carotene can be metabolized in enterocytes to form retinol
o This process depends on the vitamin A status and the amount and forms of carotenoids consumed
• 1 mcg of retinol is formed from:
o 12 mcg β-carotene
o 24 mcg α-carotene or β-cryptoxanthin
β-carotene transport
- Like vitamin A, β-carotene is transported in chylomicrons to extrahepatic tissues and then what is remaining is brought to the liver
- β-carotene can then be packaged for further transport as part of VLDL or other lipoproteins to tissues
β-carotene storage
• β-carotene is stored in liver and adipose tissue
β-carotene functions
- Antioxidant
* Regulation of cell proliferation, growth and differentiation
β-carotene excretion
• Metabolized to variety of compounds and excreted into the bile
β-carotene requirements
• None established
o Not an essential nutrient
o No documented deficiency syndrome
• Vitamin A deficiency may occur in people whose diet is low in both vitamin A & β-carotene
β-carotene increased risk of deficiency
o Patients with fat malabsorption
o People who sunburn frequently
o Cigarette smokers
o Excessive alcohol consumption
β-carotene clinical indications
- Photosensitivity
- Sunburns
- Vitamin A deficiency
β-carotene preparations
• Synthetic
o 95-100% all-trans β-carotene
o Almost all clinical studies use this form
• Natural
o Derived from algae (Dunaliella salina)
o 50% trans beta-carotene and several other forms
o Appears to be a more potent lipophilic antioxidant than the synthetic all-trans form
β-carotene toxicity
• Carotenoids have less toxicity than vitamin A
o No UL established
o β-carotene is listed on the FDA GRAS list
o Large doses of β-carotene do not lead to vitamin A toxicity
o No adverse effects reported with large doses (up to 180 mg/d for 5 years)
• Hypercarotenosis and carotenodermia
o >30 mg/d of carotenoids may cause a harmless yellow-orange discoloration of the skin
o May also be seen in:
• Hypothyroidism, diabetes, renal failure, liver disease, anorexia nervosa, or a genetic defect in the capacity to convert β-carotene to vitamin A
• In cigarette smokers
o β-carotene supplementation has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers
o Decreased effectiveness of radiation therapy?
o May also increase cancers of the:
• Head & neck, urinary tract, digestive tract, cervix, thyroid, and ovaries (observational studies)
• In Alcoholics
o May increase the hepatotoxicity of ethanol (animal study)
β-carotene nutrient interactions
- Vitamin A – high doses of β-carotene for extended periods may induce a vitamin A deficiency
- Vitamin E – high doses of β-carotene may decrease serum vitamin E levels
- Plant sterols – decrease absorption of beta-carotene
β-carotene assessment of status
• Serum levels only reflect recent intake and not body stores
Lycopene
- Reddish pigment
* No Retinol Activity
Lycopene sources
• Tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, guava, apricot
Lycopene absorption and bioavailability
- Absorption is facilitated by the presence of dietary fat and bile
- Bioavailability is significantly higher from tomato sauce/paste/juice than from raw tomatoes
Lycopene storage
• Lycopene accumulates primarily in the adrenal glands and the testes
Lycopene requirements
• None established
o Not considered an essential nutrient
Lycopene deficiency
• No deficiency syndrome has been described • Lower serum lycopene levels seen in: o Elderly o Cigarette smokers o People with hyperlipidemia
Lycopene clinical indications
- Prostate cancer prevention
- Sunburn prevention
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
Lycopene preparations
- Synthetic lycopene
* “Natural” lycopene from tomato e.g. Lyc-O-Mato
Lycopene toxicicty
• None reported except carotenodermia
Lutein & Zeaxanthin
- Yellow pigment
- No retinol activity
- Freely crosses the blood brain barrier
Lutein sources
o Green leafy vegetables: kale, spinach, o broccoli
o Kiwi fruit
o Corn
o Eggs
Zeaxanthin sources
o Peppers (orange and yellow)
o Corn
o Potatoes
o Eggs
Lutein & Zeaxanthin absorption
- Facilitated by the presence of dietary fat and bile
* Lutein from egg yolk is significantly better absorbed than from spinach or a lutein supplement
Lutein & Zeaxanthin storage
• Accumulate in macular region of the retina
Lutein & Zeaxanthin function
- Antioxidant
* Filters out high energy photons of blue-
Lutein & Zeaxanthin deficiency
• Observational studies have found that lower intake of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
Lutein & Zeaxanthin clinical indications
• Prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
Lutein & Zeaxanthin nutrient interactions
- Lutein – Clinical trials have used 6-15 mg/d
- Zeaxanthin – Currently very little research but often small amounts combined with lutein
- Co-administration of vitamin C and vitamin E may enhance lutein absorption
Lutein & Zeaxanthin toxicicty
- No serious adverse effects have been reported with lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation
- Carotenodermia
Astaxanthin
• Freely crosses the blood brain barrier
Astaxanthin sources
o Microalgae, salmon, trout, shrimp and krill
o Health Canada has approved as food coloring for animal and fish foods
Astaxanthin functions
o Antioxidant
o UV protectant
Astaxanthin clinical indications
• Currently only preliminary research available for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts
