![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/betacarotene_vital_ly.png' /> Beta-carotene](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/betacarotene_vital_ly.png)
Beta-carotene
Scientific names: Beta-carotene
Alternate names: A-Beta-Carotene, A-Bêta-Carotène, Bêta-Carotène, Bêta-Carotène Tout Trans, Beta-Caroteno, Carotenes, Carotènes, Carotenoids, Caroténoïdes, Caroténoïdes Mélangés, Mixed Carotenoids, Provitamin A, Provitamine A
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Dermatological
Background
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
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.
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.
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.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Effective Effectiveness definitions
- An inherited disorder marked by sensitivity to light (erythropoietic protoporphyria or EPP)." Taking beta-carotene by mouth can reduce sensitivity to the sun in people with this condition.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Breast cancer. Eating more beta-carotene in the diet is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in high risk, pre-menopausal females. In people with breast cancer, eating more beta-carotene in the diet is linked to an increased chance of survival.
- Complications after childbirth. Taking beta-carotene by mouth before, during, and after pregnancy might decrease the risk of diarrhea and fever after childbirth. It also seems to reduce the risk of pregnancy-related death.
- Sunburn. Taking beta-carotene by mouth might decrease sunburn risk in people sensitive to the sun.
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Cancer. Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not reduce the risk for most types of cancer.
- Heart disease. Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not reduce the risk for heart disease. It might actually increase the risk for heart disease-related death in some people.
- Non-cancerous growths in the large intestine and rectum (colorectal adenoma). Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not decrease the risk of these growths. In people who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol, taking beta-carotene supplements might actually increase the risk for these growths.
- Lung cancer. Taking beta-carotene supplements by mouth seems to increase the risk of lung cancer in some people. Beta-carotene from food does not seem to have this effect.
- Prostate cancer. Taking beta-carotene supplements by mouth does not prevent prostate cancer in most people. In fact, taking beta-carotene supplements might actually increase the risk of prostate cancer in some people.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Ballooning of a blood vessel wall (aneurysm). Taking beta-carotene by mouth doesn't reduce the risk for an aneurysm in the stomach in male smokers.
- Alzheimer disease. Eating a diet high in beta-carotene does not seem to reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease.
- Cataracts. Taking beta-carotene by mouth, alone or together with vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, doesn't seem to reduce the risk or progression of cataracts.
- Cystic fibrosis. Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not improve lung function in people with cystic fibrosis.
- Diabetes. Taking beta-carotene by mouth doesn't reduce the risk of developing diabetes or diabetes-related complications.
- Non-cancerous moles (dysplastic nevi). Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not reduce the development of new moles.
- Cancer of the esophagus. Taking beta-carotene by mouth doesn't seem to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.
- Liver cancer. Taking beta-carotene by mouth, alone or with vitamin E, does not prevent liver cancer in male smokers.
- Liver disease. Taking beta-carotene by mouth, alone or with vitamin E, does not prevent death due to liver disease in male smokers.
- Death from any cause. Taking beta-carotene by mouth doesn't seem to reduce the risk of death from any cause.
- Stroke. Taking beta-carotene by mouth does not reduce the risk of stroke in male smokers. It might actually increase the risk in people who drink alcohol.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
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.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Lutein: Taking beta-carotene supplements might lower levels of lutein in the body.
Interactions with foods
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and eating products that contain olestra, a fat substitute, can reduce beta-carotene levels in the body.
Products
View all productsPer capsule:
- Retinol palmitate 0.55 mg equiv. vitamin A 301 µg RE
- Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids) 400 µg
- Beta-carotene 2.01 mg equiv. blakeslea trispora 10.05 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 150 µg
- Co-methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 50 µg
- Cholecalciferol 25 µg equiv. vitamin D3 1000 IU
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (low-alpha type) 83.34 mg equiv. vitamin E 25 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 46.73 mg equiv. zinc 15 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 2.54 mg equiv. thiamine 2 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.32 mg equiv. riboflavin 1 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 16.38 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 15 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 12.54 mg equiv. pyridoxine 8 mg
- Levomefolate calcium (Activated folate) 108 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 100 µg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 325.52 µg equiv. folinic acid 300 µg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 70 µg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 90 µg
- Manganese gluconate 8.1 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 187 µg equiv. molybdenum 125 µg
- Potassium iodide 261 µg equiv. iodine 200 µg
- Selenomethionine 186 µg equiv. selenium 75 µg
- Lutein 7 mg
- Choline bitartrate 60.17 mg equiv. choline 25 mg
- Borax 13.23 mg equiv. boron 1.5 mg
- Biotin 50 µg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 25 mg
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Per capsule:
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Per capsule:
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 1 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 451 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 250 µg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 250 µg
- Potassium iodide 177 µg equiv. iodine 135 µg
- Iron bisglycinate 44.40 mg equiv. iron 12 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 19.06 mg equiv. thiamine 15 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 6.58 mg equiv. riboflavin 5 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 10 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 27.29 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 25 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 7.84 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Choline bitartrate 291.76 mg equiv. choline 120 mg
- Inositol 25 mg
- Biotin 200 µg
- Magnesium ascorbate monohydrate (Vitamin C) 47.36 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 42.50 mg equiv. magnesium 2.93 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.50 µg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Chromium picolinate 201.10 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Magnesium amino acid chelate 125 mg equiv. magnesium 25 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 10 mg equiv. manganese 1 mg
- Molybdenum trioxide 37.50 µg equiv. molybdenum 25 µg
- Selenomethionine 80.7 µg equiv. selenium 32.5 µg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 37.38 mg equiv. zinc 12 mg
- Ubidecarenone (Coenzyme Q10) 50 mg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 7 mg
- Tagetes erecta ext. 20 mg
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Per capsule:
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids) 1 mg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 14 μg
- Potassium iodide 177 μg equiv. iodine 135 μg
- Iron bisglycinate 44.40 mg equiv. iron 12 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 271 μg equiv. levomefolic acid 150 μg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 890 μg equiv. thiamine 700 μg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 9 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 3.28 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 3 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 1.57 mg equiv. pyridoxine 1 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 108.5 μg equiv. folinic acid 100 μg
- Choline bitartrate 486.26 mg equiv. choline 200 mg
- Biotin 17.5 μg
- Chromium picolinate 181 μg equiv. chromium 22.5 μg
- Molybdenum trioxide 37.50 μg equiv. molybdenum 25 μg
- Selenomethionine 80.7 μg equiv. selenium 32.5 μg
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous 6 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 31.15 g equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.05 mg equiv. riboflavin 800 μg
- Magnesium ascorbate monohydrate (Vitamin C) 33.43 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 30 mg equiv. magnesium 2.07 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 2.5 mg equiv. manganese 500 μg
- Tagetes erecta ext. 20 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.50 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
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1 kg
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Per 15 g (Rich Chocolate):
- Retinyl palmitate
- Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids) 400 µg
- Dunaliella salina (Green micro-algae) 8 mg
- Pea protein isolate 8.3 g
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 1.58 billion CFU
- Bifidobacterium bifidum 1.58 billion CFU
- Marine algae 500 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Sunflower lecithin 200 mg
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 100 mg
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot) 100 mg
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 100 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 100 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 100 mg
- Zingiber officinale powder 40 mg
- Ribes nigrum powder 200 mg
- Vitis vinifera powder 200 mg
- Malpighia glabra powder 100 mg
- Lycium chinese powder 100 mg
- Vaccinium myrtillus powder 100 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 50 mg
- Taraxacum officinale powder 30 mg
- Malus (fibre) powder (Apple) 587 g
- Apple pectin 200 mg
- Plantago ovata (husk) (Psyllium) 100 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous 150 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 70 mg
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 30 mg
- R,S-alpha lipoic acid 20 mg
- Beta glucan 11.5 mg
- Lutein 2 mg
- Natural chocolate flavour
- Potassium phosphate dibasic
- Calcium citrate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Zinc gluconate
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E)
- Thaumatin
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Manganese gluconate
- D-calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Tocopherols concentrate - mixed (Vitamin E)
- Selenomethionine
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Folate
- Chromium picolinate
- Cholecalciferol
- Fucus vesiculosus powder 97 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana powder
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)
- Copper gluconate
- Calendula officinalis powder
- Biotin
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Theobroma cacao powder 2.1 g
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 100 mg
- Carica papaya 50 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 100 mg
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Magnesium gluconate
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2)
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Per 35 g (Chocolate):
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Theobroma cacao (Cocoa powder)
- Sea mineral complex
- Magnesium (marine)
- Zingiber officinale
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Lentinula edodes
- Malus (Apple)
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Natural cherry flavour
- Orange
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Natural flavours
- Pea (fibre) sprouted
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
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Per 4 g:
- Terminalia ferdinandiana
- Centipeda cunninghamii
- Citrus australasica
- Green banana
- Mango (fruit)
- Red orange
- Sweet potato powder
- Malpighia glabra
- Sambucus nigra juice dry
- Cucurbita pepo (seed) powder
- Cholecalciferol
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Per capsule:
- Zeaxanthin (Carotenoids) 500 μg
- Tagetes erecta ext. 120 mg
- Ribes nigrum ext. 67 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate (Vitamin E) 41 mg equiv. d-alpha-tocopherol 50 IU
- Folic acid 99 μg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 μg
- Zinc bisglycinate (Zinc amino acid chelate) 37.5 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
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