Beta-carotene as Anti Oxidant
Beta-carotene belongs to a group of pigments called carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for giving certain fruits and vegetables an orange, yellow or red color. Beta-carotene is a provitamin, a carotenoid, which means that it is easily converted to vitamin A or retinol by the human body. Beta-carotene converts itself to vitamin A in the intestines and is stored in the liver until needed by the body. 36
Chemically, carotene is a terpene, synthesized biochemically from eight isoprene units. It comes in two primary forms designated by characters from the Greek alphabet: alpha-carotene (?-carotene) and beta-carotene (?-carotene). Gamma, delta and epsilon (?, ? As hydrocarbons, carotenes are fat-soluble and insoluble in water. Beta-carotene is composed of two retinyl groups, and is broken down in the mucosa of the small intestine by beta-carotene dioxygenase to retinal, a form of vitamin A. Carotene can be stored in the liver and converted to vitamin A as needed, thus making it a provitamin. 1
Carotenoids are one of the most important groups of natural pigments. They are responsible for many of the yellow and orange colours of fruit and vegetables. Beta-carotene is most abundant in carrots, of course, but is also found in pumpkins, apricots and nectarines. Dark green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are another good source. In these the orange colour is masked by the green colour of chlorophyll. This can be seen in leaves; in autumn, when the leaves die, the chlorophyll breaks down, and the yellow/red colours of the more stable carotenoids can be seen. 8
No one has ever overdosed on sweet potatoes. The yellow skin color that comes from consuming beta carotene is not jaundice (the eyes do not turn yellow). In fact, 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. 16
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. 46
For the other pro-vitamin A carotenoids (like cis beta-carotene and alpha-carotene) the conversion rate to vitamin A is limited and still unknown. Research has shown that it is expected to be (approximately 50%) off all-trans beta-carotene. Therefore, 1 retinol equivalent (RE) is equal to 6 mg of all-trans beta-carotene or 12 mg of carotenoids with pro-vitamin A activity. 21
A few large studies have recently been published stating that beta- carotene is not effective in reducing lung cancer. A widely publicized Finnish study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed 29,000 male smokers for 5-8 years. Of those taking beta carotene supplements, 18% more developed lung cancer than those not taking the pills. Another trial, the CARET study looked at 18,000 men and women who smoked heavily or were exposed to asbestos. Although this study was not completed, researchers found 28% more lung cancer in those taking the beta- carotene - Vitamin A combination. In a third study, the Physicians’ Health Study at Harvard, 22,000 male physicians were given beta- carotene for 12 years. Their findings showed no benefit or harm of beta-carotene. 29
Studies suggest that high doses of beta-carotene may decrease sensitivity to the sun. This is particularly helpful for people with skin conditions caused by sunlight exposure, such as erythropoietic protoporphyria, a condition characterized, in part, by development of hives or eczema upon exposure to the sun. Under the guidance of an appropriate health care provider, the oral supplement dose of beta-carotene is slowly adjusted over a period of weeks, and exposure to sunlight gradually increased. 4
Beta-carotene is probably the most well known of the carotenoids, a phytonutrients family that represents of the one most widespread groups of naturally occurring pigments. It is one of the most abundant carotenoids in the North American diet as well as one of approximately 50 carotenoids known as "provitamin A"compounds, able to be converted in the body into retinol, an active form of vitamin A. 5
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. 46
Total Balance provides a broad spectrum of around 80 of the nutrients that your body needs! These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants, amino acids, neuronutrients, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, herbal extracts, enzymes and other complementary co-factor ingredients. All these ingredients are assessed at molecular level to ensure synergy, safety and effectiveness. Total Balance utilizes state of the art delivery systems to ensure that the active ingredients reach the liver via the blood stream for distribution to various body organs and cells. In this way, this product provides an overall protection of your vital body systems and organs to strengthen your body and provide the greatest protection against degenerative, acute and chronic disease. Even if you have no signs of illness this is a suitable preventative tool for your health regime. 14
Until late in the 20th Century, the functions of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, were discussed only in terms of their potential vitamin A activity. Beta-carotene is one of approximately 50 carotenoids of the known 600, that are called "provitamin A" compounds because the body can convert them into retinol, an active form of vitamin A. 5
retinyl palmitate) and vitamin A acetate (retinyl acetate) are the principal forms used as nutritional supplements. Retinyl palmitate is a more stable version of retinol, however, because the skin has to further break down retinyl palmitate, much higher concentrations are required to provide the similar benefits. When choosing between the two, it is better to go with the formula containing retinol rather than retinyl palmitate. The precursors of vitamin A (retinol) are the carotenoids (most commonly beta-carotene). Retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and related compounds are known as retinoids. Retinal can be converted by the body to retinoic acid, the form of vitamin A known to affect gene transcription. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids that can be converted by the body into retinol are referred to as provitamin A carotenoids. 15
Most beta-carotene in supplements is synthetic, consisting of only one molecule called all trans beta-carotene. Natural beta-carotene, found in food, is made of two molecules - all trans beta-carotene and 9-cis beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is plentiful in vegetables and fruits, and is beneficial in this form. The 600 carotenoids are important for health and are found in yellow, red, and deep green vegetables and fruits. Carotenoids are polyisoprenoids which typically contain 40 carbon atoms and an extensive system of conjugated double bonds. They usually show internal symmetry and frequently contain one or two ring structures at the ends of their conjugated chains. Beta-carotene along with alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin are the principal dietary carotenoids. Three of these carotenoids, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, can serve as dietary precursors of retinol (all-trans retinol, vitamin A). 14
Carotenemia or hypercarotenemia is excess carotene, but unlike excess vitamin A, carotene is non-toxic. Although hypercarotenemia is not particularly dangerous, it can lead to a yellowing of the skin (carotenodermia). It is most commonly associated with consumption of an abundance of carrots, but it also can be a medical sign of more dangerous conditions. 1
The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.
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