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* The carotenoids, including [[beta-carotene]], alpha-carotene, and [[lycopene]], are [[vitamin A]] precursors. These pigments produce yellow, orange, red, and dark green in fruits and vegetables. Alpha-carotene produces half the vitamin A that beta-carotene does. Alpha-carotene is found in similar foods to beta-carotene and is often studied in conjunction with that carotenoid, though it is rarer and less well-understood. <br>See also : * [[Beta-carotene]]* [[Vitamin A]]==Special Precautions of Alpha-carotene====Health Benefits and Uses of Alpha-carotene==* Longevity : Recently, scientists have been paying more attention to alpha-carotene, and have found some potential longevity benefits, in addition to the vitamin A goodness alpha-carotene can provide. A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found Carotenoids act as antioxidants, fighting against the damage caused by oxidation, which plays a correlation between alpha-carotene intake and longevity. Looking at results from role in the 14-year study, researchers found that high blood levels development of alpha-carotene were inversely associated with cancer death, cardiovascular disease diseases and all other illness causescancers. The correlation between high levels of alpha-carotene and a lower * Reduces the risk of death from diabetes and lower respiratory disease were especially highcardiovascular mortality. It is worth noting that because alpha-carotene is not widely available in supplement form, these participants were getting their alpha-carotene from fruits and vegetables. *A Japanese study published in the Journal of Epidemiology found that participants with the highest blood levels of alpha-carotene were less likely to die from heart disease — even less likely than participants with high beta-carotene levels. * Lower risk of death from diabetes and lower respiratory disease.* Alpha-carotene is a known fighter of free radicals. *Cancer : While alpha-carotene is chemically similar to beta-carotene, several studies seem to demonstrate that alpha-carotene is much more effective in decreasing mortality for certain forms of cancer (lung, prostate, liver, etc.) Together with lycopene, alpha-carotene was associated with reduced risk of lung cancer in a study of two large cohorts published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. * Vision health. Alpha-carotene supports vision health by creating [[vitamin A]], which is needed for low-light vision and cell health. Alpha-carotene's contribution to vision health is much the same as that of beta-carotene.* [[Diabetes]]. Patients with highest levels of alpha-carotene intake are 48% (men) and 39% (women) less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, although intake of all antioxidants was not significant as a risk factor.