Carotenoid Intake

  

     Carotenoids have a specificity of action and competitive absorption. A balanced intake of these nutrients is desirable due to these characteristics. A comparative study found that there was a trend in 1992 to decrease intake of leafy green vegetables rich in lutein and to increase intake of red foods rich in lycopene.
      The carotenoids in leafy green foods protect the skin from sunburn and protect the macula region of the eye from damage by sunlight. This change was particularly notable among white women. Deficiency of lutein and associated carotenoids in leafy greens greatly increases the risk of macular degeneration which is a leading cause of blindness in older individuals.
      GNLD Carotenoid Complex provides an ideal profile of the entire family of carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables. The supplement was designed to fill a significant gap in the intake of these important cancer-fighting nutrients in the diets of most Americans.

Reference:

Nebeling, Linda C., et al., Changes in Carotenoid Intake in the United States: The 1987 and 1992 National Health Interview Surveys, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, September, 1997;97(9):991-996.