Carotenoids as Antiobesity Agents

Ingestion of calorie-rich foods, sedentary life-style counpled with energy disparity is leading towards obesity and related complications in humans. Many preclinical and clinical studies confirm anti-obesity properties of functional foods lie carotenoids. This chapter highlights recent information on the importance of carotenoids and its various metabolites in management of obesity and related disorders. Their role in management of oxidative stress, control of key transcription markers and their suppressive action on different obesity factors both in vivo and invitro support these studies. Adipose tissue is major storage organ of carotenoids and is pivotal in pathogenesis of obesity. Brain also has a significant role in obesity mechnaims.