Carotenoids health benefits as antioxidants and disease prevention or health improvement, risks
A complex includes alpha carotene lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene which have health benefits and risks. We recommend not using a single one by itself in high dosages.

Carotenoids are a group of fat soluble pigments widely distributed in plants and animals. They are thought to provide health benefits in decreasing the risk of disease, particularly certain cancers and eye disease. The ones that have been most studied in this regard are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin. In part, the beneficial effects 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. These phytonutrients are found in a product that helps with eyesight called Eyesight Rx.
   Food sources of these compounds include a variety of fruits and vegetables, although the primary sources of lycopene are tomato and tomato products, along with watermelon. Lycopene has been found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin which may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light that enters the eye.
   Carotenoids are available in supplement form and many natural herbs have such compounds, including cayenne pepper. 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. However, it is possible that a combination pill containing several may be preferable to taking a high dose of one individual one.
   When ingested as supplements they act as antioxidants.

Cancer
I am taking a carotenoid supplement since I have cancer and searching for natural and herbal therapy options. Have there been studies as a way to reduce tumor growth?
   We are not aware of cancer studies using a carotenoid complex in humans for any length of over 2 or 3 years which is the least required in order to determine how a supplement is influencing cancer growth.

Immune system
Carotenoids from vegetable juices are able to enhance the immune system in those who normally have a low intake.

Supplementation of a low-carotenoid diet with tomato or carrot juice modulates immune functions in healthy men.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2003.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a low-carotenoid diet supplemented with either tomato (providing high amounts of lycopene) or carrot juice (providing high amounts of alpha- and beta-carotene) on immune functions in healthy men. In a blinded, randomized, cross-over study, male subjects on a low-carotenoid diet consumed 330 ml/day of either tomato juice (37 mg/day lycopene) or carrot juice (27 mg/day beta-carotene and 13 mg/day alpha-carotene) for 2 weeks with a 2-week depletion period after juice intervention. Immune status was assessed by measuring lytic activity of natural killer (NK) cells, secretion of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, TNFalpha), and proliferation by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Juice consumption resulted in relatively fast responses in plasma carotenoid concentrations which were not accompanied by concomitant changes in immune functions. For IL-2, NK cell cytotoxicity, and lymphocyte proliferation, maximum responses were observed during depletion periods. The highest production rate was measured only for TNFalpha at the end of the first intervention period. Juice intervention did not modulate the secretion of IL-4. Increased plasma carotenoid concentrations after vegetable juice consumption are accompanied by a time-delayed modulation of immune functions in healthy men consuming a low-carotenoid diet.

Caution, risk, side effects, toxicity of beta carotene in high doses
The Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study, led by Dr. Jessie A. Satia, found the long-term use of beta-carotene, retinol, and lutein supplements at doses higher than in multivitamins, increases lung cancer risk, especially in smokers and former smokers. Dr. Jessie Satia analyzed data from 77,000 individuals ages 50 to 76 who filled out questionnaires in 2000-2002 regarding supplement use over the previous decade. Each supplement raised the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer, with retinol and lutein also having a modest association with lung cancer overall. When beta-carotene was used for at least 4 years, the overall risk of lung cancer was not significantly increased, but the risk of small-cell lung cancer rose by more than 3-fold. For retinol, the overall risk of lung cancer increased by more that 50 percent and for non-small-cell lung cancer, it increased by 80 percent. For lutein, the overall risk increased by 2-fold, while the corresponding risk for non-small-cell lung cancer increased by 2 fold. The researchers guess that "these nutrients from supplements may be more bioavailable than those from dietary sources" and large amounts of these supplements might interfere with the absorption, transport and or metabolism of micronutrients or other carotenoids that may be protective against lung cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2009.

Use with other dietary products
Would taking a carotenoid supplement interfere with the use of ashwagandha plant supplement?
   Carotenoids are safe supplements and can be taken will just about all other herbs and vitamins. However, we suggest not taking a complex along with alpha carotene lycopene lutein zeaxanthin cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene due to excess ingestion.

Brands and raw material suppliers
Sabinsa’s most recent addition is Chilitenoids, a unique and potent Carotenoid. Chilitenoids is a healthful natural extract from a type of Capsicum frutescens that contains negligible levels of the pungent principle capsaicin. Capsanthin is a functional carotenoid with well-established antioxidant properties, useful in nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications. These include supporting cardiovascular health and wellness, healthy skin aging, and normal immune functions. Although capsanthin has the same number of conjugated double bonds as beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, it is a more powerful antioxidant. Researchers explain this activity as being due to the presence of the conjugated keto group and the cyclopentane ring in its structure. Chilitenoids® therefore offers benefits in maintaining health and wellness both from the inside, and out. Additionally, it lends its bright natural hue to formulations, presenting an attractive option to synthetic colorants.“So many healthful properties of capsanthin have been identified, and our Chilitenoids deliver potency as well as ease of formulation and manufacturing,’’ said Sabinsa Marketing Director Shaheen Majeed. “We expect this ingredient to do extremely well in the marketplace.” Chilitenoids is standardized to contain 5-20% w/w capsanthin. Sabinsa's mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being. Over the past 20 years, Sabinsa has brought to market more than 100 standardized botanical extracts and privately funded several clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious institutions in support of these products. With more than 100 full time scientists conducting ongoing research in India and the United States, Sabinsa continues to develop and patent phytonutrients for the world market. All products intended for human consumption are certified Kosher, with many certified Halal.