Alpha-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid present in fruits and vegetables. Higher serum concentrations of α-carotene have been associated with lower risk of cancer and all-cause mortality. It was suggested that genetic variants influence serum concentrations of provitamin A. Recently was found, that α-carotene effectively inhibits Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) metastasis and suppresses lung metastasis in combination with taxol in LLC-bearing mice, suggesting that Alpha-carotene could be used as an anti-metastatic agent or as an adjuvant for anti-cancer drugs.

Beta-carotene is found in many foods and is sold as a dietary supplement. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid, weak antioxidant; precursor of vitamin A, which is essential for vision and growth. Used to reduce the severity of photosensitivity reactions in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Has been used in high-dose antioxidant supplements containing ascorbic acid and vitamin E with zinc in high-risk patients with age-related macular degeneration. Beta-carotene is also used to decrease asthma symptoms caused by exercise; to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts; and to treat AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, epilepsy, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and skin disorders including psoriasis and vitiligo.

The carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) accumulate in the central retina, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). Each of these three compounds exhibit a regional dominance, with MZ, Z, and L being the dominant carotenoids at the epicenter, mid-periphery, and periphery of the macula, respectively. Meso-zeaxanthin is formed directly in the retina from lutein. MZ has potent anti-inflammatory effect, which can be due to its down-regulated expression of various inflammatory mediator genes. Meso-zeaxanthin was also found to scavenge superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals. MZ is a part of formulation for MacuShield, which is now the UK’s most recommended eye supplement. Also exists experiments supporting that LMZ3 (meso-zeaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin) supplements may stabilize vision and improve the cavitation’s in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2.

Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature. It is synthesized in plants and some micro-organisms. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are found in the macula of the human retina, as well as the human crystalline lens. They play a role in protection against age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and cataract formation. The antioxidant properties of lutein and zeaxanthin together with ocular antioxidants (selenium, zinc, copper, vitamin A, C, E, etc.) inhibit free radical damage caused by light and oxygen. Zeaxanthin supplements are typically taken on the supposition of supporting eye health. It is is Generally Recognized As Safe by FDA.

Astaxanthin (ATX), a red-orange carotenoid that originates the pink or red color of salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other sea organisms, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. Recently, ATX was shown to protect neurons in experimental models of acute injuries, chronic neurodegenerative disorders, and neurological diseases and was proposed as a beneficial strategy to treat neurological diseases. In addition, ATX chelates several metal ions, preventing metal ion-induced oxidative stress, it has anti-inflammatory properties and it acts as a damper of singlet oxygen levels. Being a part of naturally derived supplements Oncotris™ in genitourinary cancer patients was revealed, that astaxanthin could support the body to overcome the treatment-related toxicities - and the relative oxidative stress in cancer patients.

Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein is synthesized only by plants and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and yellow carrots. In green plants, xanthophylls act to modulate light energy and serve as non-photochemical quenching agents to deal with triplet chlorophyll (an excited form of chlorophyll), which is overproduced at very high light levels, during photosynthesis. Xanthophylls are taken for nutritional supplementation, and also for treating dietary shortage or imbalance. Xanthophylls have antioxidant activity and react with active oxygen species, producing biologically active degradation products. They also can inhibit peroxidation of membrane phospholipids and reduce lipofuscin formation, both of which contribute to their antioxidant properties. Lutein is naturally present in the macula of the human retina. It filters out potentially phototoxic blue light and near-ultraviolet radiation from the macula. The protective effect is due in part, to the reactive oxygen species quenching ability of these carotenoids. Lutein is more stable to decomposition by pro-oxidants than are other carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene. Lutein is abundant in the region surrounding the fovea, and lutein is the predominant pigment at the outermost periphery of the macula. Zeaxanthin, which is fully conjugated (lutein is not), may offer somewhat better protection than lutein against phototoxic damage caused by blue and near-ultraviolet light radiation. Lutein is one of only two carotenoids that have been identified in the human lens, may be protective against age-related increases in lens density and cataract formation. Again, the possible protection afforded by lutein may be accounted for, in part, by its reactive oxygen species scavenging abilities. Carotenoids also provide protection from cancer. One of the mechanisms of this is by increasing the expression of the protein connexin-43, thereby stimulating gap junctional communication and preventing unrestrained cell proliferation. Lutein was found to be present in a concentrated area of the macula, a small area of the retina responsible for central vision. The hypothesis for the natural concentration is that lutein helps protect from oxidative stress and high-energy light. Several studies show that an increase in macula pigmentation decreases the risk for eye diseases such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). There is also epidemiological evidence that increasing lutein and zeaxanthin intake lowers the risk of cataract development. Consumption of more than 2.4 mg of lutein/zeaxanthin daily from foods and supplements was significantly correlated with reduced incidence of nuclear lens opacities, as revealed from data collected during a 13- to 15-year period in the Nutrition and Vision Project (NVP).

Retonol, also known as Vitamin A1, is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement. It is used to treat and prevent vitamin A deficiency. It is also used to prevent further issues in those who have measles. Retinol is used as a metabolic precursor of retinoic acid to treat skin-related conditions, such as cellulite, skin aging, photodamage.

Retonol, also known as Vitamin A1, is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement. It is used to treat and prevent vitamin A deficiency. It is also used to prevent further issues in those who have measles. Retinol is used as a metabolic precursor of retinoic acid to treat skin-related conditions, such as cellulite, skin aging, photodamage.