Beta Carotene Benefits: Learn why Beta Carotene is Important for Us

Benefits

Beta carotene benefits include:

Vitamin A

There are over 600 carotenoids that have been characterized and at least 30 have the ability to be converted into vitamin A once inside the body. Beta carotene is one of them and has been termed the most active of the carotenoids because of this. Unlike vitamin A, which can cause toxic effects if taken in large doses, beta carotene only converts itself into vitamin A if needed. It is stored in the liver, and on average, it can take several of months for symptoms of a deficiency to occur if none is consumed.

One benefit of beta carotene, because it converts into vitamin A, is the effects it has on vision, particularly night blindness. During World War II, pilots would eat a lot of carrots so they could see better at night.

Antioxidant

Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant and is also vital for normal integrity of eye structures. It may act as a filter, protecting the fiber portion of the lens against light-induced damage. Low levels of beta carotene, along with low levels of vitamin A and zinc, leave the lens of the eye susceptible to free radical damage and cataract formation.

Leukoplakia

High doses of vitamin A has been used effectively in the treatment of leukoplakia (precancerous lesions on the lips or mouth). Recently, beta carotene has been shown to be just as effective as vitamin A but is much safer and is now the preferred choice of treatment.[1]

HIV

Another benefit of beta carotene is it may be helpful in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. While some studies showed very little or no benefits, there have been a few that produced positive results on immune function in patients with HIV and AIDS.[2-5] For instance, 30 milligrams of beta carotene was given twice a day for 4 weeks, followed by no treatment for 6 weeks. After 4 weeks of receiving beta carotene, CD4 cell counts rose and after 6 weeks of not receiving beta carotene, CD4 cell counts returned to pretreatment levels.

Other beta carotene benefits include:

• fighting free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration
• improving skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis
• helping in the treatment of headaches, hypertension, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease
• helping in the prevention of acne and boils
• maintaining healthy skin, mucous membranes, and hair
• protecting the throat and lungs from precancerous cell proliferation.

Precautions

Smokers should avoid high doses of beta carotene (from supplements) because it has been associated with an increased rate of lung cancer.[6]

Excessive beta carotene can cause the skin to have an orange tint, a harmless condition (carotenodermia) that will go away once high quantities are discontinued.

Beta carotene can be toxic in individuals with liver damage if taken in large amounts.

Pregnant women and women breastfeeding should consult their doctor before taking beta carotene supplements.

Foods

Foods high in beta carotene include apricots, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, asparagus, yams, broccoli, kale, mangoes, and squash.

Beta carotene benefits are best from foods than supplements.

References

• [1] Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 121 (1995): 141-5
• [2] J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 6 (1993): 272-6
• [3] Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 9 (1992): 151-3
• [4] J Nutr 122 (1992): 728-32
• [5] Yale J Biol Med 68 (1995): 19-23
• [6] Cancer 2008 Jul 1; 113 (1): 150-7

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