Α-Carotene Explained
α-Carotene (alpha-carotene) is a form of carotene with a β-ionone ring at one end and an α-ionone ring at the opposite end. It is the second most common form of carotene.
Human physiology
In American and Chinese adults, the mean concentration of serum α-carotene was 4.71 μg/dL. Including 4.22 μg/dL among men and 5.31 μg/dL among women.[1] [2]
Dietary sources
The following vegetables are rich in alpha-carotene:[1]
- Yellow-orange vegetables: Carrots (the main source for U.S. adults), sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash
- Dark-green vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, green peas, spinach, turnip greens, collards, leaf lettuce, avocado
Research
A 2018 meta-analysis found that both dietary and circulating α-carotene are associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. The highest circulating α-carotene category, compared to the lowest, correlated with a 32% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality, while increased dietary α-carotene intake was linked to a 21% decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality.[3]
Notes and References
- Li C, Ford ES, Zhao G, Balluz LS, Giles WH, Liu S . Serum α-carotene concentrations and risk of death among US Adults: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Follow-up Study . Arch. Intern. Med. . 171 . 6 . 507–15 . March 2011 . 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.440 . 21098341 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101129085914/http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archinternmed.2010.440v1. November 29, 2010 . free.
- http://www.tuftshealthletter.com/ShowArticle.aspx?rowId=928 Alpha-carotene Linked to Lower Mortality Rates
- Jayedi A, Rashidy-Pour A, Parohan M, Zargar MS, Shab-Bidar S. Dietary Antioxidants, Circulating Antioxidant Concentrations, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Risk of All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Observational Studies. . Adv Nutr . 2018 . 9 . 6 . 701–716 . 30239557 . 10.1093/advances/nmy040 . 6247336 .
