Krinsky Norman I, Johnson Elizabeth J
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111-1837, USA.
Mol Aspects Med. 2005 Dec;26(6):459-516. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2005.10.001. Epub 2005 Nov 23.
Based on extensive epidemiological observation, fruits and vegetables that are a rich source of carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits by decreasing the risk of various diseases, particularly certain cancers and eye diseases. The carotenoids that have been most studied in this regard are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. In part, the beneficial effects of carotenoids are thought to be due to their role as antioxidants. beta-Carotene may have added benefits due its ability to be converted to vitamin A. Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light that enters the eye. Food sources of these compounds include a variety of fruits and vegetables, although the primary sources of lycopene are tomato and tomato products. Additionally, egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are available in supplement form. However, intervention trials with large doses of beta-carotene found an adverse effect on the incidence of lung cancer in smokers and workers exposed to asbestos. Until the efficacy and safety of taking supplements containing these nutrients can be determined, current dietary recommendations of diets high in fruits and vegetables are advised.
基于广泛的流行病学观察，富含类胡萝卜素的水果和蔬菜被认为通过降低各种疾病，尤其是某些癌症和眼部疾病的风险而对健康有益。在这方面研究最多的类胡萝卜素是β-胡萝卜素、番茄红素、叶黄素和玉米黄质。类胡萝卜素的有益作用部分被认为归因于它们作为抗氧化剂的作用。β-胡萝卜素因其能够转化为维生素A而可能具有额外的益处。此外，叶黄素和玉米黄质可能对眼部疾病具有保护作用，因为它们能吸收进入眼睛的有害蓝光。这些化合物的食物来源包括各种水果和蔬菜，不过番茄红素的主要来源是番茄及番茄制品。此外，蛋黄是叶黄素和玉米黄质生物利用率很高的来源。这些类胡萝卜素也有补充剂形式。然而，对大剂量β-胡萝卜素进行的干预试验发现，其对吸烟者和接触石棉的工人的肺癌发病率有不良影响。在确定服用含有这些营养素的补充剂的功效和安全性之前，建议遵循当前关于高水果和蔬菜饮食的膳食建议。
