Lutein and Lycopene:
Carotenoids Loaded with Powerful Antioxidants

 

Extensive research has been conducted on the vitamin beta-carotene and its abilities to prevent degenerative diseases. Numerous studies have shown a link between eating fruits and vegetables and preventing disease. What makes these foods so healthy and nutritious? These sources are loaded with over 50 dietary carotenoids bioavailable to humans. Historically, research has primarily focused on the benefits of beta-carotene, revealing excellent results. Now there are two carotenoids, lutein and lycopene, sharing the spotlight with beta-carotene. These promising nutrients show strong antioxidant properties and great potential as battling agents of degenerative disease.

Lutein is classified as a "dihydroxycarotenoid," and lycopene is a "hydrocarbon carotenoid", both non-vitamin A active carotenoids with very high antioxidant properties. Lutein naturally occurs in a variety of vegetables and fruits including kale, spinach, peaches and oranges. However, higher levels of lutein are found in the petals of the marigold. In contrast, the only rich food source of lycopene is the tomato. In various studies, lower serum concentrations of lycopene have been found in elderly subjects possibly explaining the association of carotenoids and age-related disease. (Snowdon et al., 1996 and Brady et al., 1996)

A recent paper published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, "Lutein, Lycopene, and their Oxidative Metabolites in Chemoprevention of Cancer," suggests that many of the results of beta-carotene research also represent the actions of lutein and lycopene. The study explores the supplementation of lutein in human subjects.

The participants in the experiment excluded lutein-rich fruits and vegetables from their diet for 25 days. After 25 days, they ingested 10 milligrams per day of lutein for 18 days. Blood levels of lutein increased 4-5 fold after only one week of supplementation, and the lutein was oxidized which occurs when the body combats free radicals.

Research also showed that supplementation with pure carotenoids is much more bioavailable and easily absorbed than from foods. (Khachik et al., 1995)

The prospective effects of lycopene were researched in a 1994 Russian study. Scientists gave lethal doses of radiation to mice and supplemented them with lycopene was twice as effective as beta-carotene under the same conditions. (Kapitanov et al., 1994)

A major focus of today’s research is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Over 4 million people are affected by macular degeneration, the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness. Therefore, it is not surprising that a study has been done with lutein and lycopene and age related macular degeneration (ARMD). A 1995 case controlled study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology concluded that low levels of lycopene were related to ARMD. (Mares-Perlman JA et al., 1995) Researchers at Tufts University analyzed the composition of the human lens and discovered concentrations of lutein in the eye. This finding suggests a direct correlation between carotenoids and macular health. (Yeum et al., 1995)

Another connection has been made between cardiovascular disease and decreased levels of lutein.

Cigarette smoke has been found to destroy the body’s levels of antioxidants, specifically tocopherols, carotenoids and retinol. (Handelman et al., 1996) In a case controlled study at Johns-Hopkins University, researchers observed that the serum levels of lutein in smokers suffering from myocardial infarction are much lower than those of non-smokers. They concluded that the risk of myocardial infarction is much higher in people with decreased levels of carotenoids, including lutein. (Street et al., 1994)

A cohort study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, explored the effects of carotenoids and prostate cancer. Over 47, 000 men completed questionnaires regarding their dietary intake for one year. A follow up was conducted with the entire cohort for six years. Researchers concluded that lycopene reduced prostate cancer risk over the other carotenoids, since the subjects with diets high in lycopene had lower incidences of prostate cancer. (Giovannucci et al., 1995)

Findings continually support the importance of carotenoids and the role they play in battling some of the most dangerous threats to human health. Lutein and lycopene are just beginning to show their necessity to wellness in modern clinical studies which are focusing on specific carotenoids and their defense against cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration and other disease. As research continues, more discoveries will support the roles of lutein and lycopene and their properties as anti-aging nutrients.

References
Brady WE et al., "Human serum carotenoid concentrations are related to physiologic and lifestyle factors." Journal of Nutrition 126(1): 129-37 (1996)Giovannucci E; Ascherio A; Rimm EB; Stampfer MJ; Colditz GA; Willett WC :Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk to prostate cancer" Journal of the National Cancer Institute 87(23): 1767-76- (1995). Handleman GJ; Packer L; Cross CE "Destruction of tocopherols, carotenoids and retinol in human plasma by cigarette smoke," Am J Clin Nutr 63(4)559-65 (1996) Khachik F; Beecher GR; Smith JC Jr, "Lutein, lycopene, and their oxidative metabolites in chemoprevention of cancer," Journal of Cellular Biochemistry Supp.22:236-46(1995) Kapitanov AB; Pimenov AM; Obukhova LK; Ismailov DM "Radiation-protective effectiveness of lycopene," Radiats Biol Raioecol 34(3): 43945 (1994) Mares-Pearlman JA et.al, "Serum antioxidants and age related macular degeneration in a population-based case control study" Archives Ophthalmology 113(12): 1518-1523 (1995) Snowdon DA; Comstock GW; Salkeld RM; Schuep W; Klag MJ "Serum antioxidants and myocardial infarction. Are low levels of carotenoids and alpha tocopherol risk factors of myocardial infarction?" Circulation 90(3): 1154-61 (1994) Yeum KJ; Taylor A; Tang G; Russell RM "Measurement of carotenoids, retinoids and tocopherols in human lenses" Investigative Ophthalmology Vis Sci 36(13): 2756-61 (1995).