Damage to the DNA, fats and proteins caused by oxygen may perhaps play a significant part in a person’s risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.  This is according to the background information stated on an online report, revealing vital information that increased levels of alpha-carotene in the blood appears to be linked to a lowered risk of dying over a period of 14 years.

The March 28 issue of the JAMA/Archives journal Archives of Internal Medicine will be publishing the report on the antioxidant alpha-carotene.

Microorganisms and plants produce carotenoids which includes lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. These carotenoids acts as antioxidants which help counteract the damage brought about by oxygen particles.  Carotenoids found inside the human body are derived mainly from regular consumption of vegetables and fruits that are rich in these nutrients, or through taking antioxidant supplements.

Details of the Study

A team of researchers led by Dr. Chaoyang Li, Ph.D., from Atlanta’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, performed an assessment on the relationship between the risk of death and alpha-carotene levels in adults aged 20 and above.  The total number of participants who were enrolled in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Follow-up Study was 15,318.  The participants were asked to undergo medical examination and provide blood samples from between the periods of 1988 and 1994. They were then followed through 2006 in order to find out whether they died, or how they died.

During the entire duration of the study, 3,810 of the total participants died.  It was found that participants with high blood levels of alpha-carotene had lower risk of dying. Participants with alpha-carotene blood levels of 2 to 3 micrograms per decilitre had 23 percent lower risk of dying, compared to those with only 0 to 1 micrograms per decilitre of alpha-carotene in their blood. Those who had alpha-carotene blood levels of 4 to 5 micrograms per decilitre had 27 percent lower risk of death; participants with 6 to 8 micrograms per decilitre had 34 percent lower death risk; and those with 9 micrograms per decilitre or more had 39 percent reduced risk of death – the results of these groups were compared to the group whose participants only had 0 to 1 micrograms per decilitre of alpha-carotene blood levels. Increased concentration of alpha-carotene in the blood was also linked to a reduced risk of death brought about by cancer or heart diseases.

Alpha-carotene reduces Risk of Death

The chemical structure of Alpha-carotene is similar to that of beta-carotene, although the former is said to be more effective when it comes to inhibiting cancer cell growth in the skin, liver and brain. The authors said that results of a population based case-control study regarding the link between the risk of developing lung cancer and eating fruits and vegetables have suggested that eating dark green and yellow orange vegetables was more strongly related to a reduction in the risk of lung cancer than the consumption of other vegetable types. Examples of these vegetables include lettuce, collards, turnips greens, spinach, green peas, green beans, broccoli, winter squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots.

The authors noted that even though some studies have suggested that the consumption of more vegetables and fruits is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, controlled and randomized trials did not show any health benefit with the use of beta-carotene supplements. They concluded that other forms of carotenoids, aside from beta-carotene, might be the contributing factor to the reduction in the risk of diseases, and that their effects deserve in-depth investigation.

The results of the study support the suggestion that increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits is an effective way of preventing premature death.  The authors concluded with a recommendation that a clinical research dealing with the health benefits of alpha-carotene should be conducted.

What is Alpha-carotene?

Alpha-carotene belongs to the family of carotenoids which has been known to produce significant health benefits to the human body.  Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are both converted to vitamin A which is needed to maintain healthy bones, good skin, good vision and a healthy immune system.

Carotenoids contain antioxidants – enzymes that help the body fight off free radicals that cause damage to cells.  Flavonoids are found in Alpha-carotene.  These are substances that give flavour and colour to many red and orange-colored vegetables and fruits.  Examples are spinach, squash, mangoes, kiwi, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, and kale.

Most of the flavonoids are said to be contained in the skin of fruits and vegetables, so it is recommended not to peel the skin off whenever possible.  Another important way of eating is to lightly steam some foods, like spinach and carrots, since doing this can actually improve the ability of the body to absorb the nutrients.

The Health Benefits of Alpha-Carotene

• Alpha-carotene is converted into vitamin A inside the body.  So for people who are diagnosed to have vitamin A deficiency, consuming alpha-carotene rich foods can help correct the deficiency.
  
  
• Alpha-carotene is a very powerful type of antioxidant that helps protect body cells from damage which are commonly caused by free radicals.  It helps boost the activity of the immune system.
  
  
• Alpha-carotene is also known to enhance the communication between cells.  Poor cellular communication may cause overgrowth which may eventually lead to cancer.  Because alpha-carotene promotes proper cell communication, researchers believe that these nutrients may actually play a role in the prevention of cancer.

Rich Sources of Alpha-Carotene

Knowing the health benefits that one can get from regular consumption of foods that are rich in alpha-carotene, it is important to know what foods to choose, especially when one is faced with a variety of options.

Here is a list of foods that are rich in alpha-carotene:

• Kale
• Cantaloupe
• Brussel sprouts
• Spinach
• Squash
• Pumpkins
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Cantaloupe
• Avocadoes
• Apples
• Swiss chard
• Cilantro
• Green beans
• Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Romaine lettuce
• Fresh thyme
• Collard greens
• Sweet potatoes

Sources
eurekalert.org
vitaminstuff.com
whfoods.com