Beta Carotene

What is Beta Carotene?

Beta Carotene is a very powerful antioxidant that is beneficial for the heart and circulatory. In the body, it is transformed into Vitamin A for the maintenance of healthy skin, good vision, and a strong immune system.

Vitamins are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are usually available in the foods that you eat. Beta-carotene is converted in the body to vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyes and skin.

Some conditions may increase your need for vitamin A. These include:

• Cystic fibrosis
• Continuing diarrhoea,
• Long term illness,
• Serious Injury,
• Liver disease, and
• Pancreas disease
  

Increased need for vitamin A should be determined by your health care professional.

Beta Carotene is helpful with preventing the hardening/thickening of the artery walls and helps reduce blood cholesterol.

Beta Carotene may also be helpful in the treatment of AIDS, cataracts, macular degeneration, and leukoplakia. It also may be beneficial in exercise induced asthma, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer’s depression, head aches, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Beta carotene has been said that it may protect against cancer and heart disease. These benefits are said to be due to its ability to boost the immune system and act as a powerful antioxidant within the human body. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that can damage internal cell structure and surrounding material.

Side Effects and Warnings of Beta Carotene

Beta Carotene is a very popular ingredient in dietary supplements. This is mainly because of the relatively few side effects. Where they may occur they usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Yellowing of palms, hands, or soles of feet, and to a lesser extent the face (this may be a sign that your dose of beta-carotene as a nutritional supplement is too high)
• Diarrhoea,
• Dizziness,
• Joint pain, and
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
  

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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