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Cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid found in foods such as red bell peppers, cilantro, oranges, corn, avocado, and grapefruit. It is converted to retinol, an active form of vitamin A, and has anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. It is also an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals and may improve lung function. Low-fat diets and certain medical conditions can affect its absorption. Studies suggest it may reduce the risk of esophageal and lung cancer and may be necessary for colon health. It may activate the Rb gene to prevent cancer and improve lung function in smokers.
Cryptoxanthin, also known as xanthophyll or beta-cryptoxanthin, is a provitamin found in several foods, including red bell peppers, cilantro, oranges, corn, avocado, and grapefruit. It is converted in the body to retinol, which is an active form of vitamin A. Its antiaging properties have been the focus of several studies, and promising new research indicates that it may reduce the risk of some forms of cancer. Additionally, the compound is believed to be a vital molecule for healthy lung function.
Classified as a carotenoid, cryptoxanthin is a natural pigment that is responsible for the brilliant color of many fruits. It is generally considered one of 50 known carotenoids that can treat vitamin A deficiency. Cryptoxanthin typically has half the vitamin A activity of other similarly classified compounds, including beta-carotene and alpha-carotene.
The carotenoid is a fat-soluble molecule, responsible for food coloring, which generally requires the presence of fat in the diet for proper absorption in the digestive tract. People who follow low-fat diets tend to decrease their intake of carotenoids. Some medical conditions can also prevent absorption of the carotenoid, including pancreatic enzyme deficiency and Crohn’s disease.
Carotenoids, such as cryptoxanthin, are strong antioxidants that protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Antioxidants generally reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles and age spots. A lack of antioxidants generally increases the risk of tissue damage over time and can leave a person at increased risk for heart disease. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of carotenoids may be related to decreased tumor growth in some types of cancer.
Some of the most promising laboratory experiments have shown that cryptoxanthin generally reduces the risk of cancer in the esophagus and lungs. Other studies have shown that colon cancer patients have a reduced level of carotenoids in their system. This may indicate that the carotenoid is necessary for colon health. Increasing the level of this particular carotenoid in laboratory animals has been shown to increase resistance to colon cancer.
Much of the research is focused on cryptoxanthin’s ability to interact with the Rb gene in cells. This gene is an antitumor or oncogene that prevents a cell from undergoing changes that lead to uncontrolled cell division or growth. By activating the gene, the cell usually undergoes normal cell proliferation and does not become cancerous.
Another benefit of cryptoxanthin is its possible effects on lung tissue in people who smoke. The level of the carotenoid in the blood of smokers is dramatically lower than that of non-smokers. Also, people with higher concentrations of carotenoids in their blood generally have increased lung function.
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