Whole Food Nutrition
Alpha Carotene
Alpha-carotene is part of the carotenoid family, and is one
of the most abundant carotenoids in a healthy diet. Your body
can convert alpha and beta-carotene into vitamin A for the
maintenance of healthy skin and bones, good vision, and a robust
immune system.
Because the body converts alpha-carotene to vitamin A,
alpha-carotene is called a precursor to vitamin A, or a
provitamin A compound. As a precursor to vitamin A,
alpha-carotene is only about half as effective as beta-carotene,
another well-known carotenoid.
However, alpha-carotene may be even more effective than
beta-carotene in its role as an antioxidant.
Antioxidants are enzymes that stop free radicals from causing
cells to break down, or oxidize. Powerful antioxidants like
alpha-carotene remove destructive free radicals from the body
before they cause the tissue damage that can lead to chronic
diseases like heart disease and cancer.
In addition, alpha-carotene may help prevent cancer by
stimulating cell-to-cell communication, a process which
researchers now believe is necessary to ensure proper cell
division.
Alpha-carotene contains flavonoids, which are antioxidant
substances that give color and flavor to many orange- and
red-colored fruits and vegetables. Carrots, sweet potatoes,
squash, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, brussels sprouts, kiwi,
spinach, mangos, squash, and spinach are all good sources of
alpha-carotene.
Many flavonoids in fruits and vegetables are in the skin, so
it’s best not to peel fruits and vegetables when possible.
However, lightly steaming some foods, such as carrots and
spinach, can actually improve the body’s ability to absorb them.
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