The most abundant of the carotenoids, beta-carotene has strong provitamin A activity and is a stronger antioxidant than vitamin A. It is widely accepted today as a cancer preventative. It is found in leafy green and yellow vegetables, often missing in children's diets. Beta-Carotene is believed to be a superior source of Vitamin A because it is readily converted into a more active form of the substance: your body converts it to Vitamin A as needed. Also: Beta Carotene

	Alfalfa As A Treatment "...Alfalfa is also a source of beta-carotene, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, E, K, and C..." Alpha Carotene Related Topic "...Its provitamin A activity is weaker than that of beta carotene..." Antioxidant Related Topic "...Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids..." Antioxidant Requirement The Condition "...Antioxidants from food include not only vitamins C and E and beta carotene, but also some elements such as selenium and copper (which form antioxidant metallo-enzymes), and other compounds found in plant foods such as flavonoids and polyphenols..." Antioxidants As A Treatment "..."Antioxidant" is a classification of several organic substances, including vitamins C and E, vitamin A (which is converted from beta-carotene), selenium (a mineral), and a group known as the carotenoids..." Atrophic Gastritis Recommendation Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) "...Recent evidence suggests that beta-carotene and/or vitamin C along with vitamin E may reverse or reduce the risk of atrophic gastritis and/or gastric cancer..." Beta-Carotene As A Treatment "...Beta-carotene is a member of a class of compounds called carotenoids..." Breast Cancer Recommendation Beta-Carotene "...The study found that the cancer-free group ate many more beta carotene-containing fruits and vegetables than he women with breast cancer..." Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "In the Nurses' Health Study, beta carotene proved protective against breast cancer for more than 87,000 women..." Carotenoid Related Topic "...Studies have shown that several carotenoids other than beta-carotene are potent antioxidants that provide profound health benefits..." Cataracts Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption "...Some - but not all - studies have reported that eating more fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene was associated with a lower risk of cataracts..." Cervical Dysplasia Recommendation Beta-Carotene "Recent evidence suggests that beta-carotene (in doses of about 25,000 IU per day) and/or vitamin C may reverse or reduce the risk of cervical dysplasia..." Recommendation Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) "Recent evidence suggests that beta-carotene and/or vitamin C may reverse or reduce the risk of cervical dysplasia..." Chlorella As A Treatment "...broad spectrum health benefits, amply researched by Japanese scientists, include the impressive fact that it contains 60% protein, including all the essential amino acids, and high levels of beta carotene and chlorophyll..." Cigarette Smoke Damage Recommendation against Beta-Carotene "A 1999 study showed that supplemental beta-carotene has different effects in smokers and nonsmokers..." Esophageal Cancer The Condition "...A supplementation plan should include nutrients that help support your immune system and reduce toxic side-effects, including ... Beta carotene..." Hepatitis Recommendation Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) "Vitamin C (1,000 to 1,500mg per day), beta-carotene (100,000 IU per day), vitamin E (400 to 800 IU per day), and zinc (30 to 50mg per day) strengthen your immune system..." Recommendation Vitamin E "...Vitamin A, vitamin E or beta-carotene status and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma..." Intermittent Claudication Recommendation against Beta-Carotene "One study showed a slightly increased risk of vascular surgery among people with intermittent claudication who took beta-carotene supplements..." Lutein As A Treatment "...Other carotenoids like, beta-carotene, and vitamin A are not found in the eye and are not associated with reducing age-related macular degeneration..." Lycopene As A Treatment "Lycopene, found primarily in tomatoes, is a member of the carotenoid family, which includes beta-carotene and similar compounds found naturally in food, and has potent antioxidant capabilities..." Multiple Vitamin Supplement As A Treatment "...Multiple vitamins or supplements should contain the antioxidants vitamin C (250-1,000mg), vitamin E (100-400 IU), and beta-carotene (10-30mg)..." Ovarian Cancer Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "...[Am J Epidemiol 139(11): S37, 1994] Consumption of foods containing beta-carotene by 71 women with epithelial cancer of the ovary and 141 matched controls was investigated..." Parkinson's Disease Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "Diets high in vitamin C and beta-carotene provide significant protection against Parkinson's disease..." Premenstrual Syndrome Recommendation Vitamin A "...The enzymatic conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A is increased twofold during mid-ovulation..." Stomach Cancer Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "...The researchers found that plant-based nutrients such as dietary fiber, dietary beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B6 were associated with lower risk of these kinds of cancers..." Susceptibility To Miscarriages Recommendation Vitamin A "Vitamin A, vitamin E, and beta-carotene levels tend to be lower in women who have miscarried; these nutrients are generally found in prenatal vitamins..." Thymic Factors As A Treatment "...Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, beta carotene and selenium help to protect the thymus from free radicals, unstable molecules that damage our cells..." Vinegar As A Treatment "...Cider vinegar contains many other nutrients, such as beta-carotene, magnesium, calcium, riboflavin and thiamin; vitamins B6, C and E; and fruit acids and pectin..." Vitamin A As A Treatment "...Source There are two ways to get the fat-soluble vitamin A though the diet; as preformed retinol compounds found in liver, dairy products, and fish; and as provitamin A, primarily beta-carotene found in carrots, yellow squash, and a host of other fruits and vegetables..." Vitamin A Requirement Relationship to Cancer, General "...Vitamin A can be used to both treat and prevent cancers and there have been a number of studies showing beta carotene's protective effects against cancer..." Vitamin A Toxicity The Condition "...It occurs in nature as preformed vitamin A and provitamin A (primarily beta carotene)..." Vitamin E As A Treatment "...Vitamin E works alongside other antioxidant nutrients including selenium, vitamin C, beta-carotene and others to quench free radicals, peroxides and other potentially harmful substances..."

Last updated: Feb 28, 2008