Author Question: Why are some carotenoids considered phytochemicals rather than ... (Read 54 times)

Bob-Dole · **on:** Aug 20, 2018

Why are some carotenoids considered phytochemicals rather than provitamins?

Question 2

Jessica is eating a very low-fat diet because she is trying to lose weight. She takes a supplement that includes 100 of the RDA for each of the fat-soluble vitamins. Is she likely to be well-nourished with regard to fat-soluble vitamins? Explain.

xthemafja · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

There are two types of carotenoidsthose that can be converted to vitamin A and those that cannot. Those carotenoids that cannot be converted to vitamin A are call nonprovitamin A carotenoids and are not technically vitamins, but instead are considered phytochemicals or zoonutrients depending on whether they come from plant- or animal-based foods, respectively. Several nonprovitamin A carotenoids are themselves associated with decreased risk for heart disease and cancer, and others appear beneficial in decreasing the risk for age-related eye disease. (Phytochemicals and zoonutrients are thought to have health-promoting properties and the foods that contain them are sometimes called functional foods..)

Answer to Question 2

Probably not because lipids, as well as bile, are needed to help the fat-soluble vitamins enter the watery interior of the enterocyte so that they can be absorbed from the small intestine. Taking supplemental vitamins won't help if she can't absorb them.