Beta Carotene

Once considered just a potent source of vitamin A, beta carotene has gained prominence as a disease-fighting substance. Today, experts think that beta carotene, along with the related nutrients called carotenoids may protect against heart disease and cancer.

What Is Beta Carotene

Beta carotene is part of a larger team of nutrients known as carotenoids. These are the yellow-orange pigments found in fruits and vegetables. The body converts it to vitamin A. For this reason, beta-carotene is sometimes called provitamin A. However, beta-carotene provides many additional benefits besides supplying the body with vitamin A.

What Does It Do

It’s an immune system booster and a powerful antioxidant. Beta carotene neutralizes free radicals that can damage cells and promote disease. It acts directly on cells. Also, it combats and may even reverse some disorders. Beta Carotene appears to be most effective when combined with other carotenoids.

Common Uses Of Beta Carotene

  • Acts as a preventive for cancer and heart disease.
  • May reverse some precancerous conditions.
  • Has cell-protecting properties that may aid in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments from Alzheimer’s to male fertility.

Prevention

Beta carotene is a celebrated soldier in the war on heart disease. Here are the results from a survey of more than 300 doctors. They were enrolled in the Harvard University Physicians’ Health Study. This study revealed that taking 50 mg (85,000 IU) of beta carotene a day cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, and all cardiovascular deaths in half. Other studies have shown that it can prevent LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from damaging the heart and coronary vessels. High levels of this nutrient may protect against lung cancer. Also, cancers of the digestive tract, bladder, breast, and prostate.

Major Benefits

It acts as an antioxidant. Also, it has reversed some precancerous conditions. Particularly those affecting the skin, mucous membranes, lungs, mouth, throat, stomach, colon, prostate, cervix, and uterus. Further, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of abnormal cells. Also, it strengthens the immune system, fortifies cell membranes, and increases cell communication.

One hint of concern did arise about its cancer-fighting benefits. In the early 1990s, landmark studies in Finland and the United States found that male smokers taking beta-carotene supplements had an increased risk of lung cancer. Some found the studies flawed. Still, many experts caution smokers to maintain adequate levels through natural food sources, not supplements.

Additional Benefits

As an antioxidant, beta carotene may be helpful for a wide range of additional ailments, including Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, male infertility, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, and several vision disorders.

How Much Do You Need?

There is no RDA for beta-carotene. Although about 10,000 IU meets the RDA for vitamin A. Higher doses are needed, however, to provide the full antioxidant and immune-boosting effects.

If You Get Too Little: Signs of a deficiency are similar to those of inadequate vitamin A. Poor night vision, dry skin, increased risk of infection, and the formation of precancerous cells. A deficiency may also increase your risk of cancer and heart disease. However, vitamin A deficiencies are rare. What if you don’t eat fruits and vegetables or take supplements? You can still meet your vitamin A needs with eggs, fortified milk, or other foods that supply it.

If You Get Too Much: It’s almost impossible to get too much. The body discards what it doesn’t process. If you ingest high levels (over 100,000 IU a day) your palms and soles may turn a harmless orange tone. This will disappear when you lower the dose.

How To Take It

Dosage: It’s probably most effective when combined with other carotenoids in a mixed carotenoid formula. Most people benefit from 25,000 lU (15 mg) of mixed carotenoids a day. Those at high risk for cancer can take up to 50,000 lU (30 mg) twice a day.

Guidelines For Use: Take supplements with meals. No adverse effects have been noted in pregnant or nursing women taking up to 50,000 a day.

Other Sources

Carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene, as are other yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, from sweet potatoes to cantaloupe. Green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, or lettuce, are also beneficial. Look for darker greens.

Caution!

  • Consult your physician before using beta carotene if you have a sluggish thyroid (hypothyroidism), kidney or liver disease, or an eating disorder.
  • Many experts recommend that smokers, particularly those who consume large amounts of alcohol, avoid beta-carotene supplements.

Shopping Hints

Purchase beta carotene in combination with other carotenoids. These include lycopene, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These combination formulas are an effective and economical way to boost your antioxidant levels.

Latest Findings

It may help protect against many types of cancer, but in smokers, it may actually increase the risk of lung cancer. Recent studies show that this surprising effect seems strongest in men who smoke at least 20 cigarettes daily and increases further when alcohol intake is “above average.” (Interestingly, former smokers do not appear to be at heightened risk.) One theory is that smokers generally have low vitamin C levels. This imbalance causes beta carotene to heighten, rather than decrease, free-radical formation.

 

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