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Beta-carotene is one of a group of red, orange, and yellow pigments called carotenoids. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids provide approximately 50% of the vitamin A needed in the American diet. Beta-carotene can be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It can also be made in a laboratory.
Beta-carotene is used for an inherited disorder marked by sensitivity to light (erythropoietic protoporphyria or EPP). It is also used to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
There are many global health authorities that recommend getting beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food instead of supplements. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily provides 6-8 mg of beta-carotene.
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Oral beta-carotene reduces photosensitivity in patients with EPP.
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- Breast cancer. Oral beta-carotene modestly reduces breast cancer risk.
Login for details - Postpartum complications. Taking beta carotene orally seems to reduce the occurrence of postpartum diarrhea, fever, night blindness, and mortality in malnourished patients.
Login for details - Sunburn. Oral beta-carotene seems to modestly reduce the risk for sunburn in sensitive individuals.
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- Aneurysm. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce abdominal aneurysm risk.
Login for details - Alzheimer disease. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce Alzheimer disease risk.
Login for details - Cataracts. Oral beta-carotene supplements do not seem to reduce the risk of cataract development.
Login for details - Cystic fibrosis. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to improve lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Login for details - Diabetes. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce the risk of developing diabetes or diabetic complications.
Login for details - Dysplastic nevi (atypical moles). Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce atypical moles.
Login for details - Esophageal cancer. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce esophageal cancer risk.
Login for details - Liver cancer. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce liver cancer risk.
Login for details - Liver disease. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce mortality from liver disease in male smokers.
Login for details - Overall mortality. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce all-cause mortality.
Login for details - Stroke. Oral beta-carotene does not seem to reduce stroke risk and may actually increase risk in some patients.
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- Cancer. Oral beta-carotene does not reduce the risk for most cancer types.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oral beta-carotene does not reduce the risk of CVD, and supplementation may increase CVD-related mortality risk in some patients.
Login for details - Colorectal adenoma. Oral beta-carotene supplementation does not reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas and may actually increase the risk in some patients.
Login for details - Lung cancer. Oral beta-carotene does not reduce the risk of lung cancer, and supplemental beta-carotene may actually increase lung cancer risk in some people.
Login for details - Prostate cancer. Oral beta-carotene supplementation does not reduce the risk of prostate cancer in most males, and may actually increase risk in some people.
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- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Oral beta-carotene has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Aging skin. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving wrinkles and skin elasticity.
Login for details - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving symptoms of ALS.
Login for details - Asthma. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for asthma prevention.
Login for details - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving COPD.
Login for details - Cognitive function. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving cognitive function and memory.
Login for details - Exercise-induced asthma. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving exercise-induced asthma symptoms.
Login for details - Fracture. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for fracture prevention.
Login for details - Gastric cancer. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for gastric cancer prevention.
Login for details - Hearing loss. Oral beta-carotene has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Helicobacter pylori. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Login for details - HIV/AIDS. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for HIV outcomes.
Login for details - Infant development. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving infant motor development.
Login for details - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if oral beta-carotene might help prevent NAFLD.
Login for details - Oral leukoplakia. Evidence for the use of beta-carotene for oral leukoplakia is conflicting.
Login for details - Oral mucositis. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving oral mucositis after radiation therapy.
Login for details - Osteoarthritis. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for reducing osteoarthritis progression.
Login for details - Ovarian cancer. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for ovarian cancer prevention.
Login for details - Pancreatic cancer. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for pancreatic cancer prevention.
Login for details - Parkinson disease. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene prevents Parkinson disease development.
Login for details - Physical performance. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving physical performance and muscle strength in older people.
Login for details - Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving PMLE.
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Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, an essential nutrient. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which help to protect cells from damage.
When taken by mouth: Beta-carotene is LIKELY SAFE in adults and children when taken in appropriate amounts for certain medical conditions. However, beta-carotene supplements are not recommended for general use.
Beta-carotene supplements are POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses, especially when taken long-term. High doses of beta-carotene can turn skin yellow or orange.
There is growing concern that taking high doses of antioxidant supplements such as beta-carotene might do more harm than good. Some research shows that taking high doses of beta-carotene supplements might increase the chance of death from all causes, increase the risk of certain cancers, and possibly cause other serious side effects. In addition, there is also concern that taking large amounts of a multivitamin plus a separate beta-carotene supplement increases the chance of developing advanced prostate cancer in men.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Beta-carotene is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. However, large doses of beta-carotene supplements are not recommended for general use during pregnancy and breast-feeding.Children: Beta-carotene is LIKELY SAFE when used orally and appropriately.
History of asbestos exposure: In people who have been exposed to asbestos, beta-carotene supplements might increase the risk of cancer. Don't take beta-carotene supplements if you have been exposed to asbestos.
Smoking: In people who smoke, beta-carotene supplements might increase the risk of colon, lung, and prostate cancer. Don't take beta-carotene supplements if you smoke.
Medications used for lowering cholesterol (Statins)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E together might decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for lowering cholesterol. It is not known if beta-carotene alone decreases the effectiveness of some medications used for lowering cholesterol.
Some medications used for lowering cholesterol include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), and pravastatin (Pravachol).
Niacin
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking beta-carotene along with vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium might decrease some of the beneficial effects of niacin. Niacin can increase the good cholesterol. Taking beta-carotene along with these other vitamins might decrease the good cholesterol.
Lutein: Taking beta-carotene supplements might lower levels of lutein in the body.
Alcohol (Ethanol): Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can reduce the level of beta-carotene in the body and increase the level of another chemical called retinol. Researchers are concerned that this might increase the risk of cancer. But more research is needed to find out whether this concern is justified.
Olestra (fat substitute): Olestra may interfere with the action of beta-carotene in the body. Olestra lowers serum beta-carotene concentrations in healthy people by 27%.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For an inherited disorder marked by sensitivity to light (erythropoietic protoporphyria or EPP): 180 mg of beta-carotene per day has been used. If this dose is not effective, the dose can be increased to 300 mg per day.
- For preventing sunburn: A specific product (Betatene by Betatene Ltd or Cognis Australia Pty. Ltd) containing 24-25 mg of beta-carotene along with other carotenoids has been used for 12 weeks.
- For preventing complications after childbirth: 42 mg of beta-carotene weekly
BY MOUTH:
- For an inherited disorder marked by sensitivity to light (erythropoietic protoporphyria or EPP): Dosage is based on age. For age 1 to 4, the daily dose is 60-90 mg; age 5 to 8 years, 90-120 mg; age 9 to 12 years, 120-150 mg; age 13 to 16 years, 150-180 mg; and age 16 and older, 180 mg. If people still remain too sensitive to the sun using these doses, beta-carotene can be increased by 30-60 mg per day for children under 16 years old, and up to a total of 300 mg per day for people older than age 16.
Beta-carotene supplements are available in two forms. One is water-based, and the other is oil-based. Studies show that the water-based version seems to be absorbed better.
A-Beta-Carotene, A-Bêta-Carotène, Beta Carotene, Bêta-Carotène, Bêta-Carotène Tout Trans, Beta-Caroteno, Carotenes, Carotènes, Carotenoids, Caroténoïdes, Caroténoïdes Mélangés, Mixed Carotenoids, Provitamin A, Provitamine A.
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