Beta carotene is an important carotenoid found in
fruits and vegetables, for instance carrots. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant compound that gives
foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe their orange and
yellow coloring; the nutrient is also found in some greens, like spinach
and broccoli.
Beta carotene is sold as a supplement but my
preference is that anyone considering supplementing with beta carotene to do
so in combination with other antioxidants and with other carotenoids and
not to take the pills every day. Beta
carotene is thought to be useful for eyesight health or in certain
eye disorders. I have
formulated a product
for vision enhancement called Eyesight Rx.
MultiVit Rx
High Quality Daily Vitamins and Minerals
MultiVit Rx Supplement Facts:
Vitamin A - Beta Carotene and Retinyl Palmitate
Vitamin C with Rose hips (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin B-1(thiamine hcl)
Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin)
Niacinamide
Vitamin B-6
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Pantothenic acid (d-calcium pantothenate)
Calcium (citrate)
Iodine (potassium iodine)
Magnesium (oxide)
Zinc (oxide)
Selenium (amino acid chelate)
Copper (amino acid chelate)
Manganese (carbonate)
Chromium (amino acid chelate)
Molybdenum (amino acid chelate)
Potassium (carbonate)
Green Tea (leaves)
N-Aceytl-L-Cysteine
Inositol
PABA (para aminobenzoic acid)
Rutin
Citrus Bioflavonoid
Complex
Choline (bitartrate)
Betaine (HCI)
Beta Glucan
Lycopene is found in
tomatoes and watermelon,
Lutein (from marigold
extract) is helpful for vision,
Astaxanthin is a
carotenoid,
Zeaxanthin is helpful
for vision,
Octacosanol
Eyesight Rx with Beta Carotene
Reports from Eyesight Rx users indicate enhanced clarity of vision, colors
being brighter, better focus, and overall improvement in close and
distance vision. We've had reports of some people noticing this effect
within a half hour, while most people notice improved vision within hours.
Still others will realize their vision is sharper the next morning when
they take their second dose.
Supplement Facts:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Citrus bioflavonoids
(eriocitrin,
hesperidin,
flavonols,
flavones,
flavonoids, naringenin, and
quercetin)
Mixed carotenoids
(alpha carotene,
astaxanthin,
beta carotene, cryptoxanthin,
Lutein,
Lycopene,
Zeaxanthin)
Bilberry
extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Eyebright
extract (Euphrasia officianales)
Jujube extract (Zizyphus jujube)
Ginkgo biloba
(Ginkgo biloba)
Suma extract (Pfaffia paniculata)
Mucuna pruriens
extract (Cowhage)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Lycium berry extract (Lycium Barbarum)
Beta Carotene in health and disease
Studies show beta carotene supplements may help reduce sun induced skin
damage.
May reduce the risk of tumors and cancer.
Beta carotene, alone, has not been found to have much of an influence on
cataract formation.
Smokers should avoid large doses of beta carotene by itself.
Brain cancer
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2014. Β-carotene inhibits neuroblastoma
tumorigenesis by regulating cell differentiation and cancer cell
stemness. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid cancer in
young children and malignant NB cells have been shown to possess cancer
stem cell characteristics.
Lung
Tissue
People with high blood levels of beta-carotene may have better lung
function as they age and both beta-carotene and vitamin E might offer some
lung protection to heavy smokers. Lung function naturally starts a slow
decline around 30s, but a healthful diet may help the lungs stay more
youthful. Studies have concluded that supplements of beta-carotene,
vitamins A, C and E, and other nutrients do not have a significant effect
on smokers' risk of lung cancer. A new study included 1,194 adults ages 20
to 44. At the outset, participants had their lung function measured, as
well as their blood levels of vitamins A and E, beta-carotene and a
related compound called alpha-carotene. Lung function was gauged with an
FEV1 score -- the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in one
second. Overall, the researchers found, men and women with higher blood
levels of beta-carotene at the study's start showed a smaller dip FEV1
scores over the next 8 years. And among heavy smokers -- those who lit up
at least 20 times a day -- higher levels of both beta-carotene and vitamin
E were related to a slower decline in lung function.
Smoking generates
excess levels of potentially cell-damaging substances called oxygen free
radicals -- molecules that antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene
are designed to neutralize. The body converts some of the beta-carotene is
receives into vitamin A, while some is stored in tissues, including lung
tissue. Beta-carotene may also preserve non-smokers' lung function by
battling free radicals. The potentially damaging molecules are a normal
byproduct of metabolism, and they are also generated by outside sources
other than cigarettes -- air pollution, for example. Beta-carotene is not
the sole player in lung or overall health. So it's important to get a mix
of antioxidants and other nutrients from plant foods, rather than relying
on pills. Thorax, April 2006.
Lung cancer risk in smokers
Long-term use of beta carotene and some
other carotenoid-containing dietary supplements may increase the
risk of lung cancer, especially among smokers, Researchers used
questionnaires to assess use of dietary supplements, including
multi-vitamins and individual nutrients, by more than 77,000
Americans over 10 years, and matched the results against data from
the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry to
track the rates of lung cancer among them. They found that certain
people – especially smokers – who took dietary supplements
containing these nutrients, were at higher risk of developing lung
cancer than the general population. according to a study by
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers. February,
2009 issue of the American Journal of
Epidemiology.
Comments: Those who take beta carotene or carotenoid complex
pills should consider taking them 2 or 3 times a week rather than daily.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2013. Metabolomic profile of response to supplementation with β-carotene in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Two chemoprevention trials found that supplementation with β-carotene increased the risk of lung cancer and overall mortality. The biologic basis of these findings remains poorly understood. Male smokers supplemented with β-carotene developed metabolomic profiles consistent with the induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes, the primary metabolizers of xenobiotics in humans. These findings may shed light on the increased mortality associated with β-carotene supplementation in the ATBC Study and suggest the need to explore potential interactions between medication use and dietary supplements, particularly among smokers.
Q. I came across your site a few days ago and find it to be
extremely informative with a genuine dedication to research. Its great to come
across such a resource! I am now leaning very strongly to adding DIM and Beta Glucan to my regimen because of frequent colds /immunity issues. However I am a
smoker and the studies indicate that beta carotene is dangerous for smokers. I
was then wondering , do either DIM or Beta Glucans contain Beta Carotene?
A. They do not.
Lung infections, lung disease
Plasma carotenoid concentrations in relation to acute respiratory
infections in elderly people.
Br J Nutr. 2004.
We
investigated the relationship of plasma concentrations of six major carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein
and zeaxanthin) with the incidence and severity of acute respiratory infections.
Baseline data from an intervention trial were used. Participants were 652
non-institutionalized elderly people (> or =60 years old) enrolled via two
community-based sampling strategies in the Wageningen area of The Netherlands in
1998-99. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were divided into quartiles, the
lowest being the reference. Frequency and severity of episodes during the
previous 1 year, i.e. staying in bed, medical consultation and episode-related
medication, were self-reported by means of a questionnaire. On average 1.6
episodes per person were recorded. The incidence rate ratio of acute respiratory
infections at high beta-carotene status was 0.71 as compared
with the low beta-carotene concentration group. No association was observed
between beta-carotene and illness severity. alpha-Carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin,
lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were not related to incidence or severity of the
infections. We conclude that elderly people with a high plasma beta carotene
concentration may have a lower occurrence of acute respiratory infections.
Beta carotene and eyesight
These are headlines that appeared in 2007, "Eyesight vitamin’ fails
to prevent vision loss," "Beta carotene pills powerless against top cause
of blindness, study finds." The article continues, "Carrots, rich in beta
carotene, long have been thought to sharpen eyesight, but a new study
suggests that beta carotene pills are powerless against a common type of
eyesight loss among older people. Age-related macular degeneration is the
leading cause of blindness in people 65 and older. The condition blurs the
center of the field of vision, making it difficult to read, drive, thread
a needle and even recognize faces. It affects more than 10 million
Americans and there is no cure. An earlier large study had shown that beta
carotene — when taken with certain vitamins and zinc — could slow or
prevent eyesight loss in people with age-related macular degeneration.
Commercial formulations of the eye-protecting combination vitamins are
sold over the counter. But the new study found no benefit for beta
carotene supplements alone against the eyesight disease. The finding is
based on data from more than 21,000 male doctors who were followed for an
average of 12 years. The doctors were randomly assigned to take either 50
milligrams of beta carotene every other day or a dummy pill. The doctors
didn’t know whether the pills they took contained beta carotene. Roughly
the same number of doctors in both groups developed the eye condition,
suggesting beta carotene didn’t help or hurt. After 12 years, there were
162 cases of macular disease in the beta carotene group and 170 cases in
the group taking the dummy pills. Currently the best advice might be to
eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day because it’s the
combination of nutrients that seems to be the important factor."
Comments: Important nutrients for macular degeneration include
lutein, zeaxanthin, and fish oils. There is no reason to suspect a high
dose of beta carotene would be helpful by itself. In fact, it is possible
that by taking a high dose of one carotenoid, such as beta carotene, a
displacement could occur in the retina of the other important carotenoids
crucial for vision, namely lutein and zeaxanthin.
Side effects and risks
High doses of beta carotene, when used by smokers, can increase the risk for
lung cancer.
Q. How safe is Vitalux with 25,000 iu of Beta Carotene that
is being taken for age related macular degeneration. Our friend’s doctor told
him not to take it. I would like your opinion.
A. I am not a proponent of high dose beta carotene usage of 25,000
iu as found in Vitalux. There are many nutrients that are of benefit in macular
degeneration.
Carotenoids supplement 120 capsules - Now Foods
Many diverse carotenoids besides beta carotene play
vital roles in maintaining good health, especially in protecting against
free radical damage. Yet, most Americans don't eat enough vegetables.
Serving Size:
2 Vcaps
Servings per container:
60
Supplement Facts
Vitamin A 12 mg/20,000 IU - 400%DV
(as Beta Carotene)
Alpha carotene 400 mcg
Additional carotenoids 3 mg
(from D. salina algae: zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, Lutein,
Floraglo marigolds)
Lycopene - 3 mg
(LYC-O-MATO™tomato extract) Broccoli concentrate (250 mcg sulforaphane)
- 250 mg
Spinach concentrate - 100 mg
(75 mcg lutein)
Tomato concentrate - 100 mg
(140 mcg lycopene)
Kale powder 50 mg
Cabbage powder 50 mg
Brussels sprouts powder 50 mg
Research study, longevity
Plasma carotene and {alpha}-tocopherol in relation to 10-y all-cause and
cause-specific mortality in European elderly: the Survey in Europe on Nutrition
and the Elderly, a Concerted Action (SENECA)
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
2005
The objective was to study the association of plasma carotene ({ alpha }-and
beta-carotene) and alpha-tocopherol with all-cause and cause-specific mortality
in elderly subjects who participated in a European prospective study. Plasma
concentrations of carotene and alpha-tocopherol were measured in 1168 elderly
men and women. After a follow-up period of 10 years, 388 persons had died.
Results: Plasma carotene concentrations were associated with a lower mortality
risk. This lower mortality risk was observed for both cancer and cardiovascular
disease. The lower risk of cardiovascular death was confined to those with a
body mass index (in kg/m2) <25. Plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were
not associated with all-cause or cause-specific mortality. Conclusions: This
prospective study suggests that high plasma concentrations of carotene are
associated both with lower mortality from all causes and with cancer in the
elderly. For cardiovascular mortality, the inverse association was confined to
elderly with body mass indexes <25.
Skin protection
Supplementation with beta Carotene or a Similar Amount of Mixed Carotenoids
Protects Humans from UV-Induced Erythema
Human Nutrition and Metabolism
We compared the erythema-protective effect of beta carotene (24 mg/d from an algal source) to that
of 24 mg/d of a carotenoid mix consisting of the three main dietary carotenoids,
beta carotene, lutein and lycopene (8 mg/d each). In a placebo-controlled, parallel
study design, volunteers with skin type II received
beta carotene, the carotenoid mix or placebo for 12 wk. Carotenoid levels in serum
and skin (palm of the hand), as well as erythema intensity before and 24 h after
irradiation with a solar light simulator were measured at baseline and after 6
and 12 wk of treatment. Serum beta carotene concentration increased three- to
fourfold in the beta-carotene group, whereas in the mixed carotenoid group, the
serum concentration of each of the three carotenoids increased one- to
threefold. No changes occurred in the control group. The intake of either
beta carotene or a mixture of carotenoids similarly increased total carotenoids
in skin. No changes in total carotenoids in skin occurred in
the control group. The intensity of erythema 24 h after irradiation was
diminished in both groups that received carotenoids and was significantly lower
than baseline after 12 wk of supplementation. Long-term supplementation with 24 mg/d of a carotenoid mix supplying similar amounts of beta carotene, lutein and lycopene ameliorates UV-induced erythema in humans; the effect is
comparable to daily treatment with 24 mg of beta carotene alone.
Ovarian cancer
Association of dietary vitamin A, carotenoids, and other antioxidants with
the risk of ovarian cancer.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2005.
Although a few studies have examined the relation of
antioxidant intake to the risk of ovarian cancer, the results have been
inconclusive. Questions still remain regarding the effects of confounding
factors, such as menopause, tobacco smoking, and alcohol drinking, on the
association between antioxidants and ovarian cancer development. To
examine the association of the consumption of micronutrients from foods and
supplements with the risk of ovarian cancer. Our findings
suggest that dietary vitamin A and beta carotene are modestly protective against
ovarian cancer, particularly among smokers. Our data suggest a role for retinoic
acid signaling pathways in ovarian carcinogenesis.
Cataract
Age-related cataract in a randomized trial of beta-carotene in women.
Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2004.
To examine the development of age-related cataract in a trial of
beta-carotene supplementation in women. The Women's Health Study is a
randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial originally designed to test
the balance of benefits and risks of beta-carotene (50 mg on alternate days),
vitamin E, and aspirin in the primary prevention of cancer and cardiovascular
disease among 39,876 female health professionals aged 45 years or older. The
beta-carotene component of the trial was terminated early after a median
treatment duration of 2.1 years. Main outcome measures were visually-significant
cataract and cataract extraction, based on self-report confirmed by medical
record review. There were 129 cataracts in the beta carotene group and 133 in
the placebo group. For cataract extraction, there were 94 cases in the
beta-carotene group and 89 cases in the placebo group. Subgroup analyses
suggested a possible beneficial effect of beta carotene in smokers.
These randomized trial data from a large population of apparently healthy female
health professionals indicate that two years of beta carotene treatment has no
large beneficial or harmful effect on the development of cataract during the
treatment period.
Absorption and supplementation
Effects of 6-month multivitamin supplementation on serum concentrations of
alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and vitamin C in healthy elderly women.
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2004.
Two hundred forty-one free-living,
healthy women aged 60 years and older were recruited by newspaper advertisement
in Hanover, Germany and its environs. As 21 women dropped out, data of 220 women
(aged 60-91 years median 63 years) were included in this evaluation. Subjects
were randomly assigned to receive either a multivitamin/mineral or placebo
capsule with identical appearance for six months containing 36 mg 36mg vitamin
E, 150 mg vitamin C, and 9 mg beta carotene. Serum concentrations of vitamin C,
alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene were measured initially and after six months
of supplementation. A
six-month supplementation with physiological doses of antioxidant vitamins
improves the blood concentration of these nutrients even in relatively
well-nourished elderly women or, as seen for vitamin C, prevents reduction of
serum concentrations.
Questions
Q. I need to take Vitamin A 25,000 IU in the form of
mixed carotenoids, for three months and then reduce to 15,000 IU. What would be
a good combination? I am concerned about my skin turning an orange hue. Is Beta
Carotene the only one that converts to vitamin A. I noticed combinations with
algae and other things in them. Do you get the same results as with straight
beta carotene?
A. Carotenoid supplements contain beta carotene along with several
other carotenes. The ideal carotenoid supplement depends on which medical
condition is being treated. High dose beta carotene ingestion causes the
condition known as carotenemia, which is harmless. Beta carotene is not the only
carotenoid that converts into vitamin A. Alpha carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin
are primary carotenoids that can also convert into vitamin A.
Can you please comment on a study that shows taking
beta carotene supplements increases the risk for lung cancer in smokers? Here is
an excerpt, "Long-term use of beta carotene and some other carotenoid-containing
dietary supplements may increase the risk of lung cancer, especially among
smokers, according to a study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
researchers. The study, which also examined use of retinol, vitamin A, lycopene
and lutein, appears in the February 2009 issue of the American Journal of
Epidemiology. Researchers used questionnaires to assess use of dietary
supplements, including multi-vitamins and individual nutrients, by more than
77,000 Americans over 10 years, and matched the results against data from the
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry to track the rates of
lung cancer among them. They found that certain people – especially smokers –
who took dietary supplements containing these nutrients, were at higher risk of
developing lung cancer than the general population. Researchers at UNC and the
University of Washington in Seattle gave questionnaires to men and women, aged
50 to 76, in western Washington state. Participants were asked about their use
of multivitamins and individual nutrient supplements over the past 10 years
(including frequency and dose), as well as about their health history and risk
factors. Participants were followed for the next four years, at which time lung
cancer rates were obtained. The results show that smokers’ risk of developing
lung cancer increased with the length of time they took dietary supplements
containing beta carotene, retinol and lutein."
I have no reason to doubt the results of this study. I am not a
proponent of taking high doses of single nutrients or carotene supplements.
Perhaps taking too high a dose of one or two carotenoids causes imbalances in
the function or activity of the other carotenoids that are beneficial to the
body, or perhaps too high a dose of a single nutrient has the opposite effect. I
would be interested to know whether the ones who took low amounts had any
increased risk. Nevertheless, if a person wants to take beta carotene, they
should consider rather taking a carotenoid complex and not every day but rather
once or twice a week. I think it is a good idea not to take supplements every
day but to take breaks from use, thus getting some of the benefits but
minimizing any potential risks.
I am intrigued by your Eyesight supplement but, have a
concern about it containing beta-carotene. I am a smoker ( a lite one) but
nevertheless a smoker and have been told by my doctor to find a product that
does not contain beta-carotene for my eyes. With that said, my question is; do
you have a vision supplement that has lutein and other necessary carotenoids
without beta-carotene since it is not recommended for smokers as research shows
it can increase risk of lung cancer?
The amount of beta carotene taken by individuals in the smoker
studies was 20,000 units and higher taken by itself. The amount present in the
eye formula is less than 10 units and it is combined with other small amounts of
other carotenoids, including lutein. If you ate a small carrot you would get
hundreds of times more than present in the eye formula. This carotenoid is
healthy in small amounts, but not in massive dosages.