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Carotenoid complex supplements contain various forms of carotene, including alpha and beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, zeazanthin, and astaxanthin. These compounds are beneficial for health and immune function, and can be found in vibrantly colored foods like carrots, yams, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Carotenoid complex supplements are useful for those who have difficulty eating these foods. Scientific studies have found that carotenoids can reduce the risk of breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration.
A carotenoid complex is a dietary supplement that contains various forms of carotene. Numerous scientific studies have found carotenoids to be beneficial for both health and the protection of immune function. By combining several of these into one carotenoid complex antioxidant supplement, it is believed that numerous health benefits can be realized.
The main carotenoids are alpha carotene, beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, zeazanthin, and astaxanthin. A carotenoid complex supplement will typically contain at least the first four and several also contain the other advanced carotenoid complexes. Carotenoids are responsible for healthy immune function. They also provide vibrant color to foods where they occur naturally.
For example, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene are present in large amounts in carrots, yams, and pumpkins. They are also responsible for the bright orange color of these popular foods. Lutein and lycopene are present in large amounts in tomatoes and help impart the vibrant red color to this fruit.
There are many sources of carotenoids in nature. The foods mentioned above have been found to be beneficial in helping to maintain eyesight and strengthen the eye. Egg yolks also contain high levels of lutein and beta-carotene and provide the same benefits. Generally, the best way for consumers to easily tell at a glance if a food contains these carotenoid complexes is to look for any food that is vibrantly colored.
Those who want the benefits of carotenoids but have difficulty eating these foods can get carotenoid complex supplements. These are manufactured to contain more carotenoids and are useful for larger doses. For example, to get the same amount of beta-carotene in the carotenoid complex caps, a person would have to eat several carrot or pumpkin servings.
Scientific studies on carotenoids have been numerous. The findings have convinced the scientific community that there is a definite human benefit to these compounds. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2009, Dr. Laura I. Migone found that eating two servings of vegetables that contain carotenoids a day reduced the risk of breast cancer by 17 percent.
Another study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology in 2006 found that eating foods rich in lutein helped reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The participants in the study were all under 75 years of age. There were no data available on whether carotenoids helped reduce macular degeneration that was already present.
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