Melinda Culver | Jun 29, 2018 Human skin is the largest organ of the body, and it is responsible for many functions, including acting as a first line of defense from external pathogens, protecting against water loss and regulating body temperature. The independent effects of dietary fruit and vegetables, fitness, and low body fat on skin color mean that multiple aspects of a healthy lifestyle each act in an additive manner to improve skin appearance. Ingredients, market strong for sleep and stress products, The benefits of beetroot nitrates in sports nutrition – white paper, Stakeholder group members explain support for mandatory product listing, Supplement industry news and updates – December 2020, L-carnitine in sports nutrition formulations, Worldwide expansion for emerging female sports nutrition market, The supportive role supplements can play for sleep and mental health, Souyoul S, Saussy K, Lupo M. “Nutraceuticals: A Review.”, Morse N, Reid A, St-Onge M. “An open-label clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Bend Skincare Anti-Aging Formula on minimal erythema dose in skin.”, Conrady C et al. They also reduce water loss so help hydrate. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in many leafy green plants or sea vegetables, while carotenoids are the yellows and greens of the produce world. “Overall skin tone and skin-lightening-improving effects with oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.”, Allowed HTML tags: . They also reduce water loss so help hydrate. Carotenoids are proven immune system boosters. Copyright © 2021. 5. Treatment of Skin Conditions: Beta carotene is effective in the treatment of skin conditions like dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. There are more than 600 different carotenoids in existence, but several of the most well-known include: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. We acquire carotenoids from eating certain plant foods, especially fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and squash. Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory, antitumor, chemoprotective properties that help us ward off common infections, illnesses and serious diseases like cancer too. Chlorophyll and carotenoids are similar in that they both form the pigments found in various fruits, algae and vegetables. 3.4. Carotenoids are plant pigments, and powerful antioxidants that provide numerous health benefits. Vitamin A, being a powerful antioxidant, is involved in the growth and repair of body tissues and hence, protects the skin against damage. Although beta-carotene has been studied for its effects on skin health, it is not generally recommended for long-term supplementation because of carotenosis – a harmless orange discoloration of the skin that is reversible when discontinuing intake. As powerful antioxidants, carotenoids are thought to provide benefits for skin health. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. Cells that line our intestines help dissect the chemicals that make up cartoenoids and release them into our bloodstreams. Carotenoids are not only critical for the process of photosynthesis, but also for helping mitigate free-radical damage. Environmental factors play a big part in premature aging of the skin. (1). (3). A lower level of inflammation is one of the best forms of protection against heart disease, the disease that causes the most deaths every year in many developed nations. Why do we need carotenoids? When eaten, carotenoids can enter the skin as they are fat soluble – high doses of carotenoids can even turn the skin slightly orange. Fortunately, it is reversible and your eyes and vision will go back to normal once you stop taking the can… Related: Eye Vitamins and Foods: Are You Getting Enough? In fact, higher carotenoid intake is associated with improvements in several biomarkers of strong immune function. Sun Sensitivity. Cancer Prevention And the benefits don’t end there. Some carotenoids can break down into vitamin A, a nutrient that protects against premature skin … A number of case-control and cross-sectional studies have found higher blood levels of carotenoids to be associated with significantly lower risk for arteriosclerosis, a disease characterized by thickening/hardening of the arteries. Although much work has been done to improve healthy skin from the outside, supplementation with key nutrients including carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin can complement a whole-body approach to beauty. The most well-known being exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun which contributes to photo-aging characterized by changes in pigmentation (i.e., dark-spots and freckles) and degradation of collagen, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Skin Care Benefits. The best food sources of carotenoids are fruits and veggies that are bright yellow, orange and red — one reason we’re told to “eat the rainbow.”. This means they’re converted in the body once we eat foods that contain them in order to synthesize vitamin A, which is also sometimes called retinol. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Once converted, vitamin A helps prevent keratinization of the skin, which occurs when the epithelial cells lose their moisture and become dry. Healthy skin begins with proper nutrition that builds beauty from the inside. Benefits, Uses, Substitutes & More, Citrus fruits (grapefruit, oranges and tangerines). Many epidemiological studies have found that people who consume high amounts of tomato products (including fresh, whole tomatoes and tomato sauce) experience a reduced risk for developing diseases like prostate cancer. Supplementation with nutrients like N-acetylcysteine, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and vitamins such as E and C have shown some success in improving skin health.1, Another class of compounds that function as potent antioxidants are carotenoids. Number 8860726. All rights reserved. (9). Antioxidants are essential for the skin, especially since overexposure to UV light can cause a reduction in the antioxidant supply, thereby increasing oxidative stress. Studies have found that beta-carotene foods have anti-inflammatory, cancer-protective effects. Registered in England and Wales. The best sources of these carotenoids are dark leafy green vegetables and cruciferous vegetables (spinach, kale, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts, etc.). Benefits of carotenoids and beta-carotene, in particular, also include the ability to prevent keratinization of the skin, which causes the cells to lose their moisture and dry out. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Carotenoids are types of natural chemical compounds created by plants that help give them their bright yellow, orange or red pigments. 30 Gluten-Free Recipes The pigments that make apples red and carrots orange—called carotenoids—are an integral part of the body’s immune system and help us fight against … Diets high in carotenoids are beneficial for preventing UV light damage, which can lead to melanoma, aged … A portion of carotenoids are incorporated into lipoprotein, which makes it way to the bloodstream, while others are sent to the liver. What’s interesting is that the use of synthetic carotenoid supplements, as opposed to eating foods that naturally supply them, doesn’t always result in the same health benefits. Their availability improves when they’re cooked, which is atypical of most foods. We present three studies investigating the contribution of carotenoid and melanin to skin color and the healthy appearance of human faces. In addition to supporting a healthy pregnancy, beta carotene benefits the skin, as well, by offering protection from damage. After 12-weeks, Lutemax 2020 resulted in an improvement in overall skin tone, whiteness/brightness, photo-protection and skin firmness.5. Another interesting, and somewhat unique, treat of carotenoids is that their availability improves when they’re cooked. ), Chia Seeds Benefits: The Omega-3, Protein-Packed Superfood, 9 Proven Black Seed Oil Benefits that Boost Your Health, Top 15 Potassium-Rich Foods to Start Eating Today, 17 Great Probiotic Foods for Better Gut Health, Rice Cakes: Are They Healthy? Natural Products Insider is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. Protects the Skin from Damage. While we know that carotenoids have antioxidant properties that help decrease free radical damage, researchers are still trying to figure out how else they promote better health. Beta carotene benefits lung development and immune system development for infants as well as toddlers. Different carotenoids have various uses and benefits once synthesized. This skin is highly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer and other skin … Other studies have found that higher carotenoid intake is associated with significant reductions in the risk of other types of cardiovascular diseases. Carotenoids are a source of pro-vitamin A, they contribute to healthy skin color, they may help support normal vision, and there are some tantalizing reports of improvements in cognitive function after intake of certain carotenoids. Scientists categorize carotenoids into two primary groups: carotene (which includes α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene) and xanthophylls (β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin). Both are found in foods like squash, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. (5). Many studies have shown that carotenoids help protect against the development of skin cancer and pre-skin cancers. Its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, and medicinal properties come from its rich content of vitamins C, K, E, A and B complex. This whole process of communication between cells allows them to effectively differentiate and take on various roles in the body without overproducing — which is why a loss of cell communication is tied to cancer development and tumor growth. Recent research has demonstrated that non-provitamin A carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, also have protective benefits for the skin. The paprika nutritional benefits are primarily due to the presence of a rich array of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and an exceptionally high level of carotenoids. For starters, they’re phytonutrients that help fight free radical damage and provide important antioxidants to ward off disease and lower inflammation. As Zeichner notes, according to research, astaxanthin contains significantly more antioxidants than other superfood heroes, is anywhere from 10 to 100 times more powerful than other carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene, and is significantly more potent than skin … “Correlations Between Macular, Skin, and Serum Carotenoids.”, Meinke M C et al. Eye Vitamins and Foods: Are You Getting Enough? This type can be used directly by the body since it doesn’t need to first be converted. The most notable of the carotenoid family are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Two of the ways that carotenoids function as powerful antioxidants include deactivating singlet oxygen and inhibiting the oxidation of fats. You don’t need a large amount of fat to help utilize these nutrients best. Carotenoids can stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin to increase its density, elasticity and firmness. Skin Health. Carotenoids (yellow) signal health in bird and fish species, and are associated with improved immune defense, photoprotection and reproductive health in humans. Carotenoids, along with active vitamin A, help prevent premature skin damage and skin cancer. are clickable links to these studies. While researchers believe that most carotenoids have strong antioxidant capabilities — which is why we associate superfoods high in these nutrients with fighting inflammation, cancer and heart disease — not all seem to work in the same way at slowing the aging process. Studies have shown that diets high in carotenoids can help prevent damage caused by UV light. Dietary supplementation can support beauty from the inside, shoring up the body’s internal skin health defense. Given all that your skin has done for us, Our body’s largest organ, skin reaps a wealth of benefits from the right nutrients, and in turn, rewards us by looking absolutely fantastic. It also functions as an “aesthetic” interface—a collection of physical attributes that form the basis of first impressions by which people measure their ideas of beauty. Vitamins like E and C are known to support skin health, but other nutrients including carotenoids—and specifically lutein and zeaxanthin isomers (RR- and RS [meso]-zeaxanthin)—may be just as important in building a whole-body, first-line defense against environmental assaults. Many environmental factors damage skin cells and tissues which lead to premature aging. Carotenoids help stimulate epidermal regeneration helping to soften and smooth skin. Skin Health Studies have reported that the carotenoids beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin protect skin, tissue, and cells from environmental toxins and disease. The color of human skin is dominated by two major biological pigments: hemoglobin, which provides red coloration via the vascular network of microcapillaries in the skin, and melanin, which provides varying degrees of brown coloration at the skin surface. The type of provitamin A, which is obtained from colorful fruits and vegetables with carotenoids, cannot be directly utilized by the body without undergoing several metabolic steps. (6), Several carotenoids (especially lutein and zeaxanthin) are essential for forming the lens and retina of the eye and protecting vision into older age. Carotenoids, Skin, and Sun Sensitivity. UV damage can cause premature aging, wrinkles, dry skin, as well as melanoma. Lycopene, for example, protects tomatoes from burning. Active vitamin A (called retinol) comes from animal-derived foods like liver, milk, yogurt, oily fish and eggs. Most ingredients for skin support are topical and aimed at increasing hydration, softening, barrier function or supplying antioxidants to serve as a first line of defense against the sun and pollution. Many antioxidants and phytonutrients are not very shelf-stable and become at least partially destroyed when exposed to high heats, but carotenoids in general are one exception to this rule. In regard to nutrient breakdown and absorption, the human digestive system is an amazing thing. Skin especially likes members of the carotenoid family, which are packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals that attack skin cells. In fact, isolating certain carotenoids might actually be harmful in some instances. This condition is characterized by yellow-golden flecks in the eye, and sometimes vision field defects and problems with vision clarity. In a prospective study of more than 47,000 adults followed for over eight years, those with the highest lycopene intake had a risk of prostate cancer that was 21 percent lower than those with the lowest intake. Protects the Skin. Connexin proteins are needed to form a protective membrane layer around cells and the gap between cells where chemical signals are sent. Two of the most commonly known carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin. Once we eat a food that contains carotenoids and the food makes its way to our intestines, the carotenoids comes into contact with our bile salts and several types of lipids (fats) that help break them down. It is caused by taking high doses of a carotenoid called canthaxanthin. The benefits of carotenoids include lowering inflammation, promoting healthy growth and development, maintaining eye and vision health, boosting immunity, and protecting the skin from damage. Although you don’t want to overcook fruits and veggies with carotenoids, chopping, puréeing and cooking foods that contain carotenoids seem to help increase how much the human body can absorb and actually use. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Another way it protects against skin cancer is by modulating apoptosis (cell death). One way it does this is by promoting cell differentiation and inhibiting cell cycle. & detox juicing guide. Reports of increased lung cancer rates have also been shown with long-term supplementation with beta-carotene.1 Lycopene, the carotenoid found abundantly in tomatoes, has also shown positive outcomes in skin health studies.1, A study of a combination of ingredients, including lutein and zeaxanthin, fatty acids and vitamin D showed improved tolerability to UV light exposure.2,3 Furthermore, daily supplementation with carotenoids in the form of a kale extract prevented collagen degradation and improved the extracellular matrix.4, Another study investigated the direct effects of macular carotenoid supplementation on skin. Human skin is the largest organ of the body, and it is responsible for many functions, including acting as a first line of defense from external pathogens, protecting against water loss and regulating body temperature. Infants and toddlers need vitamin A for normal growth, development and building a strong immune system. This instrument utilizes the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE)2L*a*b* color system to determine skin color objectively. The skin is made up of several different layers. (8), Carotenoids, along with active vitamin A, help prevent premature skin damage and skin cancer. Vitamin A is found in two primary forms: active vitamin A and provitamin A, which are carotenoids that need to be converted. All skin types, however, benefit from twice-daily cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating. The best food sources of carotenoids are fruits and veggies that are bright yellow, orange and red — one reason we’re told to “eat the rainbow.”. Color is quan… Active vitamin A fights skin cancer because it helps stop oxidative damage and control malignant cells in the body, while facilitating with the process of correct cell differentiation. Health Benefits of Carotenoids . This suggests that the complex interactions of different chemicals and nutrients within carotenoid-rich foods are actually what makes them so good for you. In addition carotenoids can repair and regenerate these protein fibers after damage by UV light. What are carotenoids? (14). Some of these include: These two carotenoids are closely related, as they’re both synthesized to form active A. Carotenoids can serve as marker substances for the complete antioxidative network of human skin. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. Studies have shown that carotenoids like astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect your skin against these damaging factors and prevent the onset of several skin … They act as antioxidants and have significant cancer-fighting properties. There is a RDA for vitamin A, (700–900 micrograms for adults), but otherwise advice from organizations like the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association is to make sure to vary your diet and consume plenty of brightly pigmented fruits and vegetables every day. While the most common skin-friendly antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E, the 600-plus members of the carotenoid family are also skin supporters, and include beta-carotene (found primarily in orange veggies), lycopene (a key component of tomatoes), lutein (found in leafy greens), zeaxanthin (found in yellow veggies such as capsicum and saffron) as well as a variety of enzymes and flavonoids, including … One of the biggest benefits of tomato nutrition is tomatoes are the best source of lycopene, especially when they’re cooked. In this 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study, participants supplemented with either a placebo or 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin isomers (as Lutemax® 2020 from OmniActive Health Technologies). Recently, it has become possible to measure the carotenoids non-invasively and online using resonance Raman spectroscopy. Diets high in carotenoids are beneficial for preventing UV light damage, which can lead to melanoma, aged-looking skin, wrinkles, drying, scaling and follicular thickening of the skin. (7). Skin is the largest human organ and provides a first line of protection for the human body from its environment. The deepest layers—the dermis and hypodermis—contain connective tissue (such as elastin and collagen) and provide nutritive support to the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. The health benefits of carotenoids generally derive from their vitamin A activity in the body These benefits include support for the skin, immune system, heart and eyes Carotenoids are a class of red-orange pigments that are primarily produced by photosynthesizing organisms such as green plants. Some of the major benefits of a well-rounded diet that includes carotenoids of all kinds include: Once consumed, carotenoids have antioxidant activities that help block the formation of oxidative stress, the primary cause of aging and degeneration. Contrary to popular belief, not all carotenoid-containing foods supply us with vitamin A. That’s because lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene have no vitamin A activity once consumed. How Do Carotenoids Work To Keep Eyes Healthy?