Our data show that the enzymatic activity of BCO1 mediates the bioactive actions of β-carotene in various preclinical models of obesity and atherosclerosis (Hessel et al., 2007; Amengual et al., 2013; Amengual et al., 2011; Lobo et al., 2010; Zhou et al., 2020; Coronel et al., 2022). The gene discussed is BCO1; the disease is atherosclerosis.