Definition of carotene - What it is, Meaning and Concept

Carotene is called a reddish or yellowish pigment that animals can convert to vitamin A .This chemical compound is present in the carrot , the yolk of the eggs, the tomato , the butter (butter) and the peppers (ajies, bell peppers or chili peppers) reds.

The carotene, whose structure most commonly causes it to receive the name of beta-carotene , is part of the family group of the terpenes .The Swiss scientist Paul Karrer , winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry , who described the structure for the first time.

The small intestine, through its mucosa, is responsible for transforming carotene into vitamin A in the human being and other species.Vitamin A is then alm acena in the liver.In some cases, carotene is absorbed without modification and remains in the fatty tissue, causing the skin, in certain parts of the body, to acquire an orange or yellowish color.

According to various studies, carotene protects the skin from ultraviolet rays from the Sun.It also optimizes the functioning of the immune system , reduce the risk of heart problems and act as an antioxidant .That's why it's important to eat foods that have carotene.Let's look at these and other advantages of consuming beta-carotene in more detail.continuation:

* heart health : eating a diet in which beta-carotene abounds is important to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.This compound, together with vitamin E, reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the acronym comes from English and means low density lipoprotein ; in everyday speech, it is called «bad cholesterol»), which also reduces the risk of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis;

* cancer prevention : thanks to its antioxidant capacity, this carotene structure manages to fight against cancer .On the other hand, it also collaborates with the correct communication of the cells, preventing the development of carcinogens.Among the types of cancer that beta-carotene successfully prevents are colon, breast, lung and oral cavity;

* brain age : several studies have shown that consuming beta-carotene is good for brain health, since it significantly delays cognitive aging, and also effectively combats oxidative stress, capable of generating damage in the cells in the long term and causing dementia ;

* for respiratory disorders : lung capacity can be highly enriched by consuming beta-carotene in good quantities.This brings significant relief from respiratory ailments and helps prevent the appearance of emphysema, bronchitis and asthma, among other respiratory diseases ;

* prevention of macular degeneration : this eye disease occurs in some adults and is characterized by severely affecting central vision.Like any other sensory disorder, its consequences can be very difficult to cope.A diet rich in nutrients and beta-carotene can be very beneficial in slowing down the process of degeneration of the macula;

* skin care : there are many people who try to delay the aging of the skin, and beta-carotene is ideal for this task thanks to its action antioxidant, which minimizes the damage caused by ultraviolet light and environmental pollution.At an aesthetic level, the skin becomes softer and brighter.

Beyond these findings, there is research that argues that an excessive level of carotene in the organism for a long time causes various complications, ranging from aesthetic issues to damage of varied importance.This is due to the inconveniences suffered by the structures that are responsible for transforming carotene into Vitamin A.Pregnant women with excess carotene, on the other hand, can cause a malformation in the fetus.