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Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia: |
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Carrots |
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 Scientific Names |
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 Forms |
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 Traditional Usage |
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 Overview |
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 Active Ingredients |
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 Suggested Amount |
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 Drug Interactions |
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 Contraindications |
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 Side Effects |
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 References |
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Scientific Names: |
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Daucus carota L. var. sativa [Fam. Umbelliferae] |
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Forms: |
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Fresh, whole root; root carotenoid extract (liquid or dry) |
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Traditional Usage: |
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- Aging
- Antioxidant
- Breathing Difficulties
- Cataracts
- Cellular Regeneration
- Lowering Cholesterol
- Cleansing
- Constipation
- Detoxifying
- Diarrhea
- Eyesight Problems
- Liver Problems
- Skin Problems
- Stroke Prevention
- Vascular Disorders
- Wrinkles |
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Overview: |
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The cultivated carrot, Daucus carota L. var. sativa, belongs to the family Umbelliferae. Carotenes, including alpha, beta and many other carotenoids are the orange pigments in the root - prolific sources of provitamin A. Based on epidemiological studies, eating carrots daily can dramatically prevent lung disease (including in smokers), strokes and vascular disease. A study of almost 90,000 female nurses conducted at Harvard showed that women who ate five servings of carrots per week suffered 68% fewer strokes than those who ate carrots less than twice a month. Another study showed that a daily snack of two carrots lowered cholesterol levels by 10-20% within three weeks - attributed to the fibre, pectin. Carrots can also be used to stop diarrhea, boost the immune system and prevent macular degeneration. A ten year study done by Harvard found that by getting 50mg of carotenoids every other day (equivalent to seven good-size carrots), you can significantly reduce the risk of abnormal growths, vascular disease and cataracts. In a study to assess whether consumption of vegetables containing different carotenoids could protect against DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage, subjects consumed a low carotenoids diet for 2 weeks, followed by daily consumption of 330 ml tomato juice with 40 mg lycopene (weeks 3 and 4), 330 ml carrot juice with 22.3 mg beta-carotene and 15.7 mg alpha-carotene (weeks 5 and 6), and 10 g dried spinach powder with 11.3 mg lutein (weeks 7 and 8). Supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in endogenous levels of strand breaks in lymphocyte DNA but only carrot juice significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage. It was also found that a low-carotenoid diet reduces T-lymphocyte functions and increases LDL oxidation but that in these cases, only the addition of tomato juice (not carrot juice or spinach) quickly reversed these problems (within two weeks). |
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Active Ingredients: |
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Carrots, raw (Proximates per 100 grams of edible portion) contain: Water 88g; Protein 1.0g; Total lipid (fat) 0.2g; Carbohydrate, by difference 10.1g (mostly as starch); Fiber, total dietary 3.0g; Ash 0.9g; Minerals: Calcium, 27mg; Iron, 0.50mg; Magnesium, 15mg; Phosphorus, 44mg; Potassium, 323mg; Sodium 35mg; Zinc, 0.20mg; Copper, 0.05mg; Manganese, 0.14mg; Selenium, 1.1mcg; Vitamins: Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid 9.3mg;
Thiamin 0.1mg; Riboflavin 0.06mg; Niacin 0.93mg; Pantothenic acid 0.2mg; Vitamin B-6 0.15mg; Folate, total (food) 14mcg; Vitamin A, 28,129 IU; Vitamin A, RE 2813mcg;
Phytosterols, 12mg. Flavonoids including: luteolin (37.5 mg/kg), myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol. Amino acids: Aspartic acid 0.14g; Glutamic acid 0.2g and others.
USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 14 (July 2001). |
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Suggested Amount: |
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The daily dose of carrot is 2-4 good-size carrots per day or 330ml of carrot juice or as needed according to nutritional requirements. Cooking carrots increases the blood plasma levels of beta carotene (Total and all-trans (but not cis)) an average three times that associated with consumption of the same amount of beta-carotene from these vegetables in the raw form. |
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Drug Interactions: |
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None known |
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Contraindications: |
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None known. Synthetic beta carotene is contraindicated in smokers. It is best to stick with carrots and/or other natural sources of carotenoids because synthetic beta-carotene supplements (100% All-trans isomer) do not confer all of the same health benefits. At least two different clinical trials of supplemental beta-carotene (using synthetic 100% All-trans isomer) for helping smokers to prevent lung disease have been stopped prior to completion due to a 27% increased risk of death from lung disease among participants. |
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Side Effects: |
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Excess Vitamin A in the diet can cause orange skin coloration and liver damage. Most multi-vitamin pills supply beta-carotene because it is much safer than pre-made vitamin A. It is best to stick with carrots and/or other natural sources of carotenoids because synthetic beta-carotene supplements (100% All-trans isomer) do not confer all of the same health benefits. At least two different clinical trials of supplemental beta-carotene (using synthetic 100% All-trans isomer) for helping smokers to prevent lung disease have been stopped prior to completion due to a 27% increased risk of death from lung disease among participants. |
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References: |
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Bub A, Watzl B, Abrahamse L, Delincee H, Adam S, Wever J, Muller H, Rechkemmer
G. 2000. Moderate intervention with carotenoid-rich vegetable products reduces lipid peroxidation in men. J Nutr 2000 Sep; 130(9): 2200-6.
Carper, J. 1993. Food Your Miracle Medicine. HarperCollinsPublishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022-5299. Pp. 1-528.
Duke, J. 1997: The Green Pharmacy, The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing and Herbs. pp. 158; 314; 500. Rodale Press.
Pool-Zobel BL, Bub A, Muller H, Wollowski I, Rechkemmer G. 1997. Consumption of vegetables reduces genetic damage in humans: first results of a human intervention trial with carotenoid-rich foods. Carcinogenesis 1997 Sep; 18(9): 1847-50.
Watzl B, Bub A, Brandstetter BR, Rechkemmer G. 1999. Modulation of human T-lymphocyte functions by the consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables. Br J Nutr 1999 Nov; 82(5): 383-9. |
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