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Beta Carotene
Beta-carotene belongs to a group of plant compounds called carotenoids, the
pigments that provide the yellow, orange, and red coloration in fruits and vegetables.
The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant,
necessary for new cell growth. Beta-carotene is the best source of vitamin A
because, while vitamin A supplements can be toxic if taken in large doses, it
is believed that the body will only convert as much Beta-carotene into vitamin
A as the body requires.
Vitamin A (beta-carotene) protects cells against cancer and other diseases,
and is necessary for new cell growth. Vitamin A is found in animal liver, fish
liver oils, and green and yellow fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is also present
in a multitude of herbs. This important vitamin prevents night blindness and
other vision disorders, helps with skin disorders including acne, enhances the
immune system, helps to heal ulcers, protects cells against cancer, and may
help to slow the aging process. Without vitamin A, your body cannot utilize
protein. Vitamin A deficiencies are suspected if you have dry hair or skin,
poor growth, visual problems, and if you suffer from insomnia, fatigue, or frequent
colds or infections. However, large amounts of vitamin A can also be toxic to
the body, in particular to the liver. People with liver disease should not exceed
10,000 units of vitamin A.
The toxicity of vitamin A when taken in large doses is not an issue when it
comes in the form of Beta-carotene. Fortunately, though beta-carotene converts
to vitamin A, no overdose can occur and it is not harmful in larger doses, unless
your body is unable to convert the beta-carotene to vitamin A (as may be the
case for people with hypothyroidism). Beta-carotene should only be taken in
a natural form, which should be easy as it is readily available in many foods
and herbs.
Vitamin A deficiencies generally occur in those who limit their consumption
of beta-carotene containing vegetables. Beta-carotene supplements only contain
one molecule, while natural beta-carotene is made of two molecules. While synthetic
beta-carotene was once believed to be essentially the same as natural beta-carotene,
studies have shown that synthetic beta-carotene lacks antioxidant activity and
doesn’t have the same cancer prevention properties as its natural counterpart,
and may in fact increase the risk of certain cancers.
Natural beta-carotene can be found in supplements and is identified on the
label as being “from an algal source,” “from a palm source,” or “natural beta-carotene.”
Beta-carotene supplement dosage ranges from 15 mg/day to 60 mg/day. There are
no known side effects of beta-carotene supplementation, though the skin may
take on a harmless yellow-orange hue.
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