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Beta-carotene belongs to a group of colored pigments called carotenoids. It's converted to vitamin A in the body and found in many fruits and vegetables.
Beta-carotene and other red, orange, and yellow pigments called carotenoids are considered antioxidants. They provide about 50% of the vitamin A needed in the diet. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects help to protect cells from damage.
People use beta-carotene for an inherited disorder marked by sensitivity to light. It is also used to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, aging skin, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Many global health authorities recommend getting beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food instead of supplements.
- 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 - Anxiety. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for preventing or treating anxiety.
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 - Depression. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for depression.
Login for details - Exercise-induced asthma. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for improving exercise-induced asthma symptoms.
Login for details - Fractures. 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 - Influenza. Beta-carotene has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
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 - Osteoporosis. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
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.
Login for details - Pre-eclampsia. It is unclear if oral beta-carotene is beneficial for pre-eclampsia prevention.
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When taken by mouth: Beta-carotene is likely safe when taken in appropriate amounts for certain medical conditions. But 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. Taking high doses of beta-carotene supplements might also increase the chance of death from all causes, increase the risk of certain cancers, and possibly cause other serious side effects. Beta-carotene from food does not seem to have these effects.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Beta-carotene is likely safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if high doses of beta-carotene are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Beta-carotene is likely safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts.
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.
Niacin
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Niacin can increase good cholesterol levels. Taking beta-carotene along with vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium can decrease the effects of niacin on good cholesterol levels. It is not known if beta-carotene alone decreases the effects of niacin on good cholesterol levels.
Lutein: Taking beta-carotene supplements might lower levels of lutein in the body.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and eating products that contain olestra, a fat substitute, can reduce beta-carotene levels in the body.
Beta-carotene is found in many fruits and vegetables. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily provides 6-8 mg of beta-carotene. Many global health authorities recommend getting beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food instead of supplements. Regularly taking beta-carotene supplements for general use isn't recommended. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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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