Carotenoids: Help Prevent Cancer: Health Tips

Foods that rich in Carotenoids help prevent cancer.

PHYTOSTEROLS OR PLANT sterols, which are fats that are part of plant cell membranes, have the ability to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol. This has been subject of studies for more than 50 years in over 40 clinical trials. The unique action of these sterols is that while they lower LDL, they do not affect HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol. HDL is beneficial to the body because it prevents cardiovascular disease.

Natural sources include cold pressed oils like rice bran, flaxseed, olive, sesame and wheat germ. nuts and seeds, algae, seaweed, spirulina, vegetables, fruits, cereals, legumes (beans).

Remember the expression "Five almonds a day will save my heart"? It's true While almonds contain 141 mg/100g of phytosterol, rice bran oil being the highest at 1190 mg/100g, it's enough for the heart health, just like pistachios at 214 mg/100g. If you want to to lower your cholesterol by 10 percent the natural way, consume 1-3 g or 2-3 tsp of nuts or vegetables daily.

TIPS

1. Eat vegetables and fruits daily-- the fresh kind, not the canned variety. While canned fruit may be convenient, it is also high in sugar.
2. Try a serving of nuts daily. Sprinkle on your salad and oatmeal/cereals.
3. Use cold-pressed vegetable oil.
4. Increase intake of carrots, pumpkin, broccoli, mangoes, apricots. These are high in carotenoids.
Eat a rainbow, nutritionists say, Carotenoids, which are also responsible for the color of fruits, vegetables and foods, provide ultraviolet protection and ensure eye health.
The colors yellow, orange, and red are converted into Vitamin A, which body uses as antioxidant to protect the skin and eyes. So eat more guavas, tomatoes, grapefruit, yellow peppers, corn, orange, marigold flowers, avocado, strawberries, blueberries, salmon, lobster, prawns, leafy dark green vegetables . Carotenoids also help prevent cancer.

Best-known carotenoids are identified by their colors: Orange for beta-carotene; yellow for lutein, and zeaxanthin; red for lycopene; pink for astaxanthin.