Beta Carotene

Beta carotene is one of compounds called carotenoids that have antioxidant qualities.

The compound is converted to vitamin A (retinol) by the body. This is important because while A vitamin is toxic in excessive amounts, body only converts the amount of vitamin A from beta carotene that it needs.

As an antioxidant, beta carotene has a central role in anti aging regimen that uses anti oxidants for anti aging purposes.

Antioxidants fight so-called "free radicals" in the body. Free radicals cause damage to cells through a process known as oxidation.

Some studies suggest that dietary intake of beta-carotene may reduce the risk of two types of chronic illness—heart disease and cancer.

Supplementation of beta carotene is problematic according to some studies.

In fact, researchers speculate that multiple nutrients, consumed in a healthy, balanced diet may be more effective than beta-carotene supplements alone in protecting against cancer and heart disease.

In addition, research has suggested that beta-carotene offers protection from cancer only when other important antioxidants, including vitamins C and E are present in the diet.

Beta Carotene - Studies

The Alpha-tocopherol, Beta-carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. The effect of vitamin E and Beta Carotene on incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:1029-1035.

Clark JH, Russell GJ, Fitzgerald JF, Nagamori KE. Serum beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol levels during mineral oil therapy for constipation. Am J Dis Child. 1987;141(11):1210-1212. (abstract)

DerMarderosian A. Ed. The Review of Natural Products. Tanning Tablets. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons; 2000. [Date of issue Nov. 1991]

Elinder LS, Hadell K, Johansson J, Molgaard J, Holme I, Olsson AG, et al. Probucol treatment decreases serum concentrations of diet-derived antioxidants. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1995;15(8):1057-1063. (abstract)

Facts and Comparisons. Beta Carotene. Loose leaf edition. St. Louis: Mo; Wolters Kluwer Co; Jan 2000 update:7.

Gabriele S, Alberto P, Sergio G, Fernanda F, Marco MC. Emerging potentials for an antioxidant therapy as a new approach to the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Toxicology. 2000; 155(1-3):1-15.

Hercberg S, Galan P, Preziosi P. Antioxidant vitamins and cardiovascular disease: Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde? Am J Public Health. 1999; 89(3):289-291.

Herrick AL, Hollis S, Schofield D, Rieley F, Blann A, Griffin K, Moore T, Braganza JM, Jayson MI. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of antioxidant therapy in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2000;18(3):349-356.

Hu G, Cassano PA. Antioxidant nutrients and pulmonary function: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Am J Epidemiol. 200015;151(10):975-981.

Leo MA, Lieber CS. Alcohol, vitamin A, and beta-carotene: Adverse interactions, including hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69(6):1071-1085.

Liede KE, Alfthan G, Hietanen JH, Haukka JK, Saxen LM, Heinonen OP. Beta-carotene concentration in buccal mucosal cells with and without dysplastic oral leukoplakia after long-term beta-carotene supplementation in male smokers. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1998;52(12):872-876.

Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. 32nd edition. London, UK; Pharmaceutical Press; 1999. Micromedex Inc., on line database.

Mathews-Roth MM. Photoprotection by carotenoids. Federation Proceedings. 1987;46(5):1890-1893.

McEvoy Ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000:3308.

Omenn GS, Goodman G, Thornquist M, Grizzle J, Rosenstock L, Barnhart S, et al. The beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial (CARET) for chemoprevention of lung cancer in high risk populations. Smokers and asbestos exposed workers. Cancer Res. 1994;54:2038S-2043S.

Omenn GS, Goodman GE, Thornquist MD, et al. Risk factors for lung cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996;88(21):1550-1559. [abstract]

Physician's Desk Reference. 54th ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc.; 2000:2695.

Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine, Vol 1. 2nd Edition. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone; 1999.

Pryor WA, Stahl W, Rock CL. Beta carotene: from biochemistry to clinical trials. [Review] Nutr Rev. 2000;58(2 Pt 1):39-53.

Roodenburg AJ, Leenen R, van het Hof KH, Weststrate JA, Tijburg LB. Amount of fat in the diet affects bioavailability of lutein esters but not of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and vitamin E in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(5):1187-1193.

USPDI Vol. II. Beta-Carotene (Systemic). Englewood, CO: Micromedex ® Inc.:Revised 7/9/97.

Werbach M, Moss J. Textbook of Nutritional Medicine. Tarzana, Calif: Third Line Press; 1999.

West KP, Katz J, Khatry SK, LeClerq SC, Pradhan EK, Shrestha SR, et al. Double blind cluster randomised trial of low-dose supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal. The NNIPS-2 Study Group. BMJ. 1999;318(7183):570-575. (Available online at: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/318/7183/570)

Woutersen RA, Wolterbeek AP, Appel MJ, van den Berg H, Goldbohm RA, Feron VJ. Safety evaluation of synthetic beta-carotene. [Review] Crit Rev Toxicol. 1999;29(6):515-542. (abstract)


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