Beta carotene: uses, side effects, interactions

Benefits

What is beta carotene for?

If you often eat vegetables and fruit, you may not be deficient in beta carotene. Beta carotene is a substance found in various food ingredients, especially vegetables and fruits. This substance will be converted into vitamin A in the body.

Yes, because it will be converted into vitamin A, many people call this substance vitamin A. Therefore, there are actually many benefits of beta carotene for health.

Various studies have proven that beta carotene can be relied upon to treat:

Cystic fibrosis
Diarrhea
Long term illness
Liver disease
Pancreatic disease
Malabsorption disorders
Various types of cancer, such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer
Asthma due to activity
Osteoarthritis
Sunburned skin
Cervical dysplasia
High blood pressure (hypertension)

Another function of beta carotene supplements is to meet the nutritional needs of women during pregnancy, thereby reducing the risk of pregnancy complications as well as postpartum diarrhea and fever.

How does it work?

In the body, beta carotene will be converted into vitamin A. You could say, beta carotene is a form of vitamin A that is not yet active, but when it is in the body, the body will naturally change it.

Well, this vitamin A will help all body functions to be optimal, from its function as an antioxidant to nutrition for the eyes.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your herbalist or doctor before using this remedy.

What is the usual dosage for beta carotene?

The amount of vitamin A you need depends on your age and reproductive status. The recommended intake of vitamin A for people 14 years and over ranges between 700 and 900 micrograms (mcg) of retinol equivalent activity (RAE) per day.

Based on these levels, you can calculate how many doses of beta carotene you need to consume based on the nutritional content on the package. Normally you can take 15 mg of beta-carotene along with 500 mg of vitamin C, 80 mg of zinc oxide, and 400 units of vitamin E every day.

The dose of beta carotene is also adjusted to the conditions and goals of the supplement. For patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, beta carotene is required as much:

adults and adolescents: 3-300 milligrams (mg) or the equivalent of 50,000-500,000 units of vitamin A.
children: 30-150 milligrams or the equivalent of 50,000-250,000 units of vitamin A.

Before consuming it, consult with a herbalist or doctor to get the right dose.

In what forms is beta carotene available?

These herbal supplements may come in the form of:

Tablet
Capsule

Beta carotene supplements come in two forms. One is water based, and the other is oil based. Research shows that water-based versions tend to be better absorbed.

Side effects

What are the side effects of beta carotene?

The main side effect of taking beta carotene supplements is having a yellow-orange skin color.

In addition, taking beta carotene supplements can also cause:

Burp
Constipation (difficulty defecating)
Diarrhea
Dizziness and headaches
Coronary heart disease risk
Risk of kidney cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer
Joint pain
Lung problems
Muscle ache
Stomach and intestinal disorders
Visual disturbances
Cholesterol increases

There is growing concern that taking high doses of antioxidant supplements such as beta carotene might do more harm than good.

Several studies have shown that taking high doses of beta carotene supplements can increase the risk of death from various causes, increase the risk of certain cancers, and the possibility of other serious side effects.

There is also concern that taking large amounts of a multivitamin plus a separate beta carotene supplement increases the risk of developing severe prostate cancer in men.

However, don't worry too much just yet, to find out the right dose for you, it's best to consult this with your doctor.

Security

What should I know before taking beta carotene?

If you have been exposed to asbestos, have recently had an angioplasty, or if you are a smoker, you should not take beta-carotene supplements.

Beware if you consume alcohol, olestra, spleen acid sequestrants, mineral oil, neomycin (po), orlistrat, because these substances can reduce the content of beta carotene.

Store this supplement in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

The regulations governing the use of herbal supplements are less stringent than the regulations for the use of drugs. Further research is needed to determine its safety. Before using herbal supplements, make sure the benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your herbalist and doctor for more information.

How safe is beta carotene?

Beta carotene tends to be safe when taken by mouth at suitable amounts. However, large doses of beta carotene supplements are not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In smokers, beta-carotene can increase the risk of colon, lung, and prostate cancer. Do not take beta carotene supplements if you smoke.

In people exposed to asbestos, beta-carotene supplements can increase the risk of cancer. Do not take beta carotene supplements if you have been exposed to asbestos.

Avoid taking beta carotene supplements alone or taking them with antioxidant vitamins, right before and after angioplasty (surgery for clogged arteries).

Interaction

What kinds of interactions might occur when I take beta carotene?

This herbal supplement can react to your current medications and medical conditions. Do not change or add to the dose of a drug you are currently taking without your doctor's knowledge.

Until now, it is not known what types of drugs can cause serious interactions. However, in some studies it is known that drug interactions will occur when used in conjunction with: