The health benefits of beta-carotene.
When consumed, beta-carotene is converted in your body into vitamin A, a nutrient involved in processes such as the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and teeth, as well as in ensuring good vision. It can also act as an antioxidant.
Beta-carotene is the most common type of provitamin A, which is a form of vitamin A derived from plant foods. Meanwhile, pre-formed vitamin A is found in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products.
Beta-carotene is believed to help in the treatment or prevention of the following health problems:
* Age-related macular degeneration
* Arthritis
* Asthma
* Cataract
* Heartburn
* Heart disease
· High blood pressure
* Parkinson's disease
* Psoriasis
Age-related macular degeneration
Taking a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc may have long-term effects against age-related macular degeneration.
Prior to this study, 4,757 older adults participated in clinical trials in which they received either a placebo or a supplement containing beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc. At the end of the seven-year study period, the researchers found that participants at high risk of developing late-stage age-related macular degeneration reduced their risk by about 25% when treated with a beta-carotene supplement.
In a follow-up study (conducted five years after the end of the clinical trial), the researchers focused on 3,549 participants in this clinical trial. They found that the positive effects of the beta-carotene supplement persisted, and the study participants who received the supplement had a reduced risk of vision loss.
Inflammatory conditions
According to a small experimental study that examined how beta-carotene can help prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks, of 38 patients who received a daily dose of 64 mg of beta-carotene for 1 week, 53% were protected from exercise-induced asthma attacks. Another study of the use of beta-carotene for the treatment of inflammatory disease found that beta-carotene reduces the risk of progression of osteoarthritis, but not permanently. In a study of 34 adults with chronic plaque psoriasis, there was a significant reduction in severity after taking capsules containing beta-carotene. Further research is needed before beta-carotene supplements can be recommended for these conditions.
Dosage and preparation
Studies are not sufficient to establish the recommended daily dose of beta-carotene. If you choose to take beta-carotene supplements, your ideal dose may vary depending on several factors, including your age, gender, and health status.
Different doses - from 60 to 180 milligrams (mg) / day - have been studied in the treatment of various diseases.
You may need to combine beta-carotene with another supplement to get the desired effect. Talk to your doctor to get an individual recommendation.
What to look for
You can get beta-carotene by consuming foods that contain it. The main sources of beta-carotene include dark green and orange-yellow vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, apricots, and green peppers.
Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily will more than meet your daily vitamin A needs.
If you decide to buy a supplement, pay attention to the label with information about the supplements on the product you are buying. This label will contain important information, including the amount of active ingredients per serving, as well as other added ingredients (such as fillers, binders, and flavors).
Finally, look for a product that has the approval of a third-party organization that conducts quality testing. The seal of approval of one of the organizations does not guarantee the safety or effectiveness of the product, but gives confidence that the product has been properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful pollutants.
