Beta Carotene Information
The Benefits of Beta Carotene
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Ten carotenes, colored molecules synthesized only
in plants, show vitamin A activity. In other words, they function
like vitamin A. However, only the alpha- and Beta-Carotenes and
cryptoxanthin are important to man, and Beta-Carotene is the most
active. Beta-Carotene and other carotenoids that can be converted
by the body into retinol are referred to as provitamin A carotenoids.
Hundreds of different carotenoids are synthesized by plants, but
only about 10 % of them are provitamin A carotenoids.
Beta-Carotene also helps prevent night blindness and other eye problems,
skin disorders, enhance immunity, protects against toxins and cancer
formations, colds, flu, and infections. It is an antioxidant and
protector of the cells while slowing the aging process. Sources
of Beta-Carotene can be found in a good liquid multivitamin.
Recent reports show natural Beta-Carotene aids in cancer prevention.
It is important in the formation of bones and teeth. No vitamin
overdose can occur with natural Beta-Carotene.
About two decades ago, it was reported that beta carotene offered
a notable measure of photoprotection to individuals with porphyria.
(Beta-Carotene helps to protect the eye and vision).
Increased consumption of fruits (apricots have more beta carotene
than carrots) and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of
cancer. Liquid supplementation with Beta-Carotene may have a similar
benefit.
It might just be other compounds in the vegetables such as lutein
and lycopene3 that offered the protection. Beta carotene is remarkably
safe and free of side effects. Beta carotene is closely related
to vitamin A, but there is a big difference. Large doses of vitamin
A definitely can cause health problems. If one chooses to take supplemental
beta carotene, it is hard to achieve the blood levels that have
proven helpful in porphyria by diet alone. Beta carotene comes in
a 30mg pill. Some must take ten or more per day to see benefit.
This would be like eating about 2 lbs. of carrots every day.4
The decision to take supplemental Beta-Carotene can be difficult
to make. You might want to consider it in summer, if your skin is
quite fair, if sun exposure is unavoidable, and/or if your disease
is severe. Although available without a prescription, it would be
important to discuss the matter with your doctor, who likely would
monitor blood levels periodically. Interest in systemic photoprotection
continues to develop. Last year, a substance called PL was found
to triple tolerance to UV light in healthy volunteers.5
Beta-Carotene is an antioxidant and boosts the immune system. As
with many supplements, Beta-Carotene is not the same in its natural
and synthetic states. Natural Beta-Carotene consists of two molecule
types; synthetic Beta-Carotene contains only one of these. While
many of the benefits of Beta-Carotene can be found in both forms,
some have argued some properties, such as its antioxidant effect
is only found in its natural form but there I not scientific proof
of the claim. Beta carotene deficiencies often occur in people who
do not eat leafy green vegetables. When supplements are used, vitamin
E supplements are also necessary, as Beta-Carotene appears to reduce
blood levels of vitamin E.
Beta-Carotene is often low during the more advanced stages of HIV.
Supplementation of 300,000 IU daily may help increase the number
of CD4+ cells found, CD4+ cells are a type of white blood cells
that are low in AIDS patients.
Low Beta-Carotene levels are often associated with the development
of lupus. Taking a liquid supplement may help ease some of the arthritic
problems associated with this condition. Eating foods with beta
carotene also lowers the risk of macular degeneration.
Vitamin A is a major source of beta carotene and has also been shown
to reduce the risk of cataracts. The most common Beta-Carotene supplement
intake is probably 25,000 IU (15 mg) per day, though some people
take as much as 100,000 IU (60 mg) per day. Beta-Carotene appears
to have potential in the prevention and treatment of cancers, including
lung cancer, and oral cancer. Other members of the antioxidant carotene
family include cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein,
and lycopene, but most of them do not convert to significant amounts
of vitamin A.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
Scientific Explanation:
Fat-soluble vitamins pass with the chylomicrons into our
lymphatic system. Vitamin A, first presenting as a precursor, Beta-Carotene,
is cleaved to form retinol, which is then recombined with fatty
acids before entering the chylomicron.
Beta-Carotene, the principal yellow pigment of the carrot is of
health importance because the animal organism apparently is able
to cleave the molecule at the point of symmetry with the production
of vitamin A. The vitamin, which functions directly in vision, is
a component of a pigment, called visual purple, present in the retina
of the eye.
References
1. Mathews-Roth MM. Systemic Photoprotection.
Dermatol Clinics. 1986;4:335-39
2 Omaye ST, et al. Beta carotene: friend or foe.
Fundam Appl Toxicol. Dr Joseph Malak 1997;40:163-74
3 Nishino H. Cancer prevention by natural carotenoids.
J Cell Biochem Suppl. 1997;27:86-91
4 Mangles AR, et al. Carotenoid content of fruits and vegetables:
an evaluation of analytic data. JADA. 1993;93:284-296
5 Gonzalez S, et al. Topical or oral administration with an extract
of Polypodium leucotomos prevents acute sunburn. Photodermatol Photoimmunol
Photomed. 1997;13:50-60
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