
Carotenoids are a group of approximately 600 compounds synthesized by photosynthetic organisms. These pigments are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in certain animal products such as eggs and salmon, being responsible for their colorful appearance. The bioactive properties of certain carotenoids in human health are clear, as some of these compounds have antioxidant properties and serve as the only precursors of vitamin A in nature. The aim of this Special Issue entitled “Carotenoids and Human Health” is to provide the scientific community with an updated perspective of this exciting and growing research area. We compiled 19 papers from some of the most prominent scientists in the carotenoid field, including seven literature reviews and 12 original publication, covering topics such as cancer, obesity, vision, cognitive function, and skin health.
Subjects
membrane transporters RAR browning astaxanthin Vitamin A case-control study ?-carotene transcriptomic analysis new-born carotenes cancer-related cognitive impairment androgen beta-carotene eicosapentanoic acid mango by-products mangiferin cell culture chronic disease Akkermansia animal intestine carotenoids alcoholic fatty liver disease Phaeodactylum tricornutum carotenoid tomato colourless carotenoids preterm mothers inflammation ?-Cryptoxanthin adipocytes vitamin A gastric cancer food ingredients brain gut microbiota zeaxanthin nutricosmetics brown adipose tissue bioactive compounds breastfeeding aging oxidative stress retinoids phytofluene glaucoma H. pylori retinoid tomato extract retinol ?-cryptoxanthin microalgae fucoxanthin obesity macular pigment carotene photoprotection adipose tissue lutein metabolic syndrome Caenorhabditis elegans functional foods beta-cryptoxanthin retinoic acid nutrition lycopene bioavailability nutraceuticals adipocyte ?-tocopherol phytoene memory cosmeceuticals antioxidants mature milk RXR fat reduction xanthophylls colostrum smoking overweight provitamin A public health Korea ?-carotene oxygenase 1 cognition full-term mothers hippocampus alpha-carotene prostate cancer hypertension