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Hello again everyone!
This month's issue is a rehash of a topic I've touched on in the past and questions about it continue to be asked. So, I thought it might be a good idea to address it again, it's important to know. The question is: What are Carotenoids? Let's find out...
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 Carotenoids are a class of natural fat-soluble pigments found primarily in plants,
algae, and photosynthetic bacteria and play an important role in photosynthesis.
Carotenoids give color to plant leaves, flowers and animals who eat them.
Carotenoids also occur in some non-photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts, and molds,
where they may carry out a protective function against damage by light and
oxygen. In animals, carotenoids provide bright coloration, are antioxidants, and
can be a good source of vitamin A.
The chemical structure of a carotenoid ultimately determines what potential
biological function(s) that pigment may have.
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Carotenoids are mostly known for their nutritional role in the production of
vitamin A. Vitamin A has many vital systemic functions in humans and can be
produced within the body from certain carotenoids, notably beta-carotene. It can
be obtained from a number of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, spinach,
peaches, apricots, and sweet potatoes. Other provitamin A carotenoids include
alpha-carotene (found in carrots, pumpkin, and red and yellow peppers) and
cryptoxanthin (from oranges, tangerines, peaches, nectarines, and papayas).
Carotenoids also are important for human health by acting as biological
antioxidants, protecting cells and tissues from the damaging effects of free
radicals and oxygen (the single variety, not O2). Lycopene, the carotenoid that
gives tomatoes their red color, is particularly effective at stopping the
destructive potential of this oxygen. Lutein and zeaxanthin, xanthophylls found
in corn and in leafy greens such as kale and spinach, are believed to function
as protective antioxidants in the macular region of the human retina.
Astaxanthin, found in salmon, shrimp, and other seafoods, is another naturally
occurring xanthophyll with potent antioxidant properties. Other health benefits
of carotenoids that may be related to their antioxidative potential include
enhancement of immune system function, protection from sunburn, and inhibition
of the development of certain types of cancers.
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 It is the chemical structure of carotenoids that allows them to defeat the
damaging effects of free radicals and oxidation.
The following conditions involving multiple organs have all been linked to
free radicals:
- Cancer (including immune deficiency with aging and premature aging disorders)
- Radiation injury
- Alcohol damage
- Ischemia-reperfusion injuries
- Inflammatory-immune injuries (including vasculitis from drugs and hepatitis
B virus, idiopathic
- Reactions induced by drugs and toxins
- Iron overload (including idiopathic hemochromatosis, dietary iron overload,
thalassemia and
- Amyloid diseases
It is quite clear that human health depends to a large extent on the body's
ability to control free radicals and thus reduce oxidative damage to tissues,
cells, and DNA. To that end, antioxidants play an essential role in disease
prevention, in longevity, and in overall well-being.
Now the good news:
There are supplements on the market that contain some carotenoids, but few that contain the vast
array of powerful and effective carotenoids to help fight free radical damage.
IntraMax & intraKid (of course) contain a healthy and diverse number of carotenoids such as: Vitamin A (natural beta carotene, natural alpha carotene & natural mixed
carotenoids). Mixed carotenoids from: yams, carrot juice, tomato powder,
spirulina (an aquatic plant microalgae superfood which contains 10 times more
beta carotene then carrots), Dunaliella salina (salt-water micro-algae with
massive amounts of carotenoids), Alpha carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin &
lutein).
So we've answered another important question about restoring and maintaining health.
Thank you once again for reading. Keep enjoying the summer weather, fall is right around the corner!
Until next month, I remain yours in good health,
Dr. Mike
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