A method for inhibiting and/or ameliorating the occurrence of diseases in a human subject whereby a subject is administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative. In some embodiments, the administration of analogs or derivatives of carotenoids may inhibit and/or ameliorate the occurrence of diseases in subjects. In some embodiments, analogs or derivatives of carotenoids may be water-soluble and/or water dispersible. Maladies that may be treated with analogs or derivatives of carotenoids embodied herein may include diseases that provoke or trigger an inflammatory response. In an embodiment, asthma may be treated with analogs or derivatives of carotenoids embodied herein. In an embodiment, administering analogs or derivatives of carotenoids embodied herein to a subject may control or affect the bioavailability of eicosanoids. In an embodiment, atherosclerosis may be treated with analogs or derivatives of carotenoids embodied herein. In an embodiment, administering the analogs or derivatives of carotenoids embodied herein to a subject may control or affect the bioavailability of 5-LO-catalyzed eicosanoid metabolites. In an embodiment, 5-LO-catalyzed eicosanoid metabolites that may be controlled or affected by administering analogs or derivatives of carotenoids to a subject may include proinflammatory effector molecules (e.g., leukotrienes).