Description
"Gamma-Carotene" is a carotenoid pigment found in red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables, naturally serving as a precursor to Vitamin A. It participates in cellular interactions that influence visual health, immune signaling, and antioxidant defense. Additionally, gamma-carotene integrates with lipid metabolism, assisting in tissue maintenance and structural balance. By engaging with oxidative pathways, it helps sustain long-term cellular stability. Essential to plant-based nutrition, gamma-carotene remains a foundational element of dietary wellness and physiological support.
Functions in the Body
Category
Deficiency Symptoms
A deficiency in gamma-carotene can contribute to infections, delayed growth and bone development in children and adolescents, infertility, miscarriages, night blindness, corneal thinning or ulceration, eye dryness, irregular foamy eye patches, dry skin, dry hair, and itching.
Synergists & Antagonists
Gamma-carotene works synergistically with other carotenoids like beta-carotene and alpha-carotene to help ensure sufficient vitamin A intake and support eye health, immune function, and skin health. Cholesterol-lowering agents can antagonize carotenoid absorption, reducing its efficacy.
Gamma-Carotene
Warnings
Cholesterol-lowering medications can reduce the absorption of carotenoids, which may lead to a reduction in vitamin A levels. Excessive consumption of gamma-carotene should be avoided as it can lead to carotenemia, causing the skin to turn yellow-orange.
Food Sources
Rich sources of gamma-carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, butternut squash, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce, red bell peppers, broccoli, apricots, and podded peas.
Time Frame
Best consumed with a meal containing fat, as carotenoids are fat-soluble and require dietary fats for optimal absorption.
Depleted By
Nicotine and cholesterol-lowering agents can deplete gamma-carotene levels, reducing its absorption and effectiveness in the body.