Tier A

Carotenoids (family · 8 core compounds)

Also known as: Xanthophyll · Carotene · Tetraterpenoid

97 PMID anchor · VISION · SKIN · CARDIO · IMMUNE · Last reviewed 2026-05-24

Read full dossier → Deep-dive article → JSON (carotenoids.json)

Mechanism of action

Singlet oxygen quenching
Antioxidant cascade
BCO1/BCO2 metabolism
Provitamin A activity (β-carotene · α-carotene)
Macular pigment density

Molecular + tissue targets

Reactive oxygen species
Macular tissue
BCO1 SNP-modified metabolism

Dosage range

Compound-specific (see ingredient hub) · CARET/ATBC smoker β-carotene safety boundary applies

Safety notes

CARET 1996 / ATBC 1994 β-carotene + smokers lung cancer +18-28%; SELECT vit E + selenium prostate +17%; AREDS2 transitioned away from β-carotene to lutein+zeaxanthin in 2013

Cross-market regulatory status

🇺🇸 FDA

GRAS for nutritional carotenoids; warning labels for smokers on β-carotene

🇪🇺 EFSA

Authorized claim for vitamin A (β-carotene precursor)

🇧🇷 ANVISA

RDC 243/2018 · IN 28/2018 vitamin A precursor claims

Common use cases

eye-protection
skin health
antioxidant cluster framing

Cross-reference

Health goals: eye protection skin beauty heart health inflammation relief

Lifestyles: senior 60 plus pregnancy

Full dossier: /ingredients/carotenoids/

Machine-readable JSON: /api/nc/carotenoids.json