The famous Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the father
of pharmacology, has a well-known saying, 'Make food your medicine and medicine
your food'.
Carotenoids are essential micronutrients obtained through
our diet, which play an important role in performing various biochemical
reactions and functions in the body. All carotenoids are fat-soluble natural
chemicals.
Beta (carotene B), which is essential for the biological
synthesis of vitamin A, is a member of the essential carotenoid family. Apart
from beta carotene, phytoin, lutein, xanthine, lycopene, crocin, estagentin
etc. found in various sources are also carotenoids needed to keep our body
healthy.
As carotenoids act as excellent antioxidants, they are also
essential for the management of oxidative stress in the body during various
chemical reactions. Research has also shown that having the right amount of
carotenoids in the body can reduce the risk of eye problems such as cancer,
heart disease, diabetes and aging, and reduce the risk of health problems such
as cataracts and help the brain to function more efficiently.
Carotenoids also play an important role in the regular
growth and development of women, fetuses, and infants. Therefore, it is
essential for people of all age groups to eat plenty of different carotenoids
to keep their bodies healthy.
Carrots were first discovered to contain beta-carotene in
1831. About 100 years later, in the 1930's, the chemical structure of
beta-carotene and vitamin E was discovered. So far, 1183 carotenoids have been
detected from 702 different biological sources.
Carotenoids are mainly synthesized in photosynthetic plants
and lizards. In addition, biological synthesis of carotenoids has been found in
various bacteria and fungi. But with the exception of a few kits, no organism,
including humans in the animal kingdom, can synthesize carotenoids
biologically.
Many animals, including humans, which cannot synthesize
carotenoids in their bodies, replenish the carotenoids they need in their
bodies through plant and meat foods. Carnivorous animals are the main source of
carotenoids, while humans are also getting carotenoids from milk and dairy
products from various animals. In addition, the fact that various bacteria
found in the intestines of humans and other animals provide biological
synthesis of carotenoids and provide internal nutrition has also been
confirmed.
The biological synthesis of carotenoids in plants takes
place within a special cellular structure found inside the cell, called the
plastid. Plastids on green leaves and leaves are called chloroplasts, while
plastids on fruits and flowers of different colors are called chromoplasts.
Carotenoids come in a variety of colors. Because of this, carotenoids that are
stored in large quantities tend to be colored accordingly.
For example, betel-carotene is high in orange-colored
carrots, oranges, ripe peas, etc., and lycopene is found in red-colored lamb
and strawberries. Yellow centipede flowers contain lutein and golden corn
kernels contain xanthine. The green leaves of plants also contain carotenoids
including lutein, beta-carotene and xanthine. But different plants synthesize
and store different types of carotenoids.
From infancy to old age, it is essential to eat plenty of
nutrients to keep our body healthy. Since carotenoids play an important role in
protecting the body from various diseases by keeping the various biological
activities occurring in the body, it is important to consume adequate amounts
of carotenoids.
Regular seasonal fresh fruits of different colors (such as
oranges, seasonal, junar, mango, banana, nuts, melons, pears, etc.), vegetables
(such as carrots, lamb, ripe beans, chillies, golden maize, etc.), groundnuts
(sakharkhand) , Yams, etc.), and green vegetables to meet the needs of our body
carotenoids and help the body to stay healthy.
Similarly, fish, meat, eggs, milk and dairy foods are also
reliable sources of carotenoids. Although carotenoids are equally important for
people of all age groups, they are considered essential nutrients for children
and the elderly.
