Carotenosis

**Carotenosis** is a disease caused by a deficiency and/or inability to digest carotene or its components in the body. Carotene is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays an important role in maintaining healthy vision, skin, bones, muscles and the immune system.

Carotene is synthesized by plants from beta-carotene, which is the more common form of carotene. It is found in many vegetables, fruits, greens and berries such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, spinach and citrus fruits. In the human body, carotene is absorbed from the diet and converted into more active forms such as alpha and beta carotenes. It is then transported to the liver, where it is processed into vitamin A.

When carotene is deficient, the body cannot produce enough vitamin A, which can lead to a range of problems, including various eye, skin and immune system diseases, as well as night blindness symptoms such as blindness in low light or darkness. These conditions may occur due to poor nutrition, inadequate food intake, or impaired carotene metabolism as a result of disease or therapy.

Decreased carotene levels can also be caused by long-term use of anti-malaria drugs,