Cryptoxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment. It has been isolated from a variety of sources including the petals and flowers of plants in the genus Physalis, orange rind, papaya, egg yolk, butter, apples, and bovine blood serum.
Contents
Uses
Cryptoxanthin is available in tablet, capsule, and softgel combination carotenoid supplements, which are available at most drugstores and health food stores. It has numerous benefits.
Benefits
Cryptoxanthin may protect against other diseases associated with aging, including heart disease, skin cancer, prostate cancer, and arthritis. Like other carotenoids, cryptoxanthin almost certainly plays a key role in keeping the eyes healthy and preventing against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Research also indicates that carotenoids may play a role in the prevention of many other serious health conditions, including Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), asthma, chronic yeast infection, and infertility.
Oranges, papaya, peaches, and tangerines all contain a lot of cryptoxanthin. Other sources include red bell peppers, cilantro, corn, and watermelon. People that regularly smoke or drink, have a low intake of fruits and vegetables, or who follow a low-fat diet may want to consider a carotenoid supplement. Cryptoxanthin is a fat-soluble substance, and needs to be taken with fat to be properly absorbed by the body. Consequently, certain conditions that reduce the body’s ability to absorb fat, such as pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn’s disease, celiac sprue, cystic fibrosis, surgical removal of part or all of the stomach, gall bladder disease, and liver disease, may lead to a carotenoid deficiency. If you have any of these conditions, you may also want to consider taking a carotenoid supplement.
Caution
Side effects are not known.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
n/a
Reference
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptoxanthin#Biology_and_medicine
Herbs2000, http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/cryptoxanthin.htm