Beta-Carotene is an organic compound that gives color to plants and fruits. It is also used for food coloring, it has the E number E160a [1]. Beta-carotene is the most well-known provitamin A carotenoid (precursor to vitamin A), which means body turns beta-carotene into the antioxidant vitamin A (via beta-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase) [2].
Beta-carotene uses
Beta-Carotene is being used as an oral sun protectant, and evidence indicates that carotenoids may protect human skin from light-induced lesions. [3] Biesalski et al. [4] have speculated that carotenoids contribute to protection against acute and chronic exposure to UV light. However, little is known about distribution and accumulation of beta-carotene in tissues.
Satoshi and colleagues [5] have reported that 30 mg of beta-carotene per day for 1 month may favorably affect exercise-induced oxidative DNA damage.
Beta-carotene is also used to decrease asthma symptoms caused by exercise, probably through in vivo antioxidative effect [6].
Is beta-carotene anticarcinogenic?
The risks of cancer and heart diseases are lowered by consumption of leafy vegetables rich in beta-carotene. Some earlier studies note that beta-carotene, may reduce the risk of chronic disease, such as coronary heart disease, certain cancers and cataract [7]. However, according to WebMd.com: “studies show beta-carotene supplements don’t lessen cancer or heart disease risks in healthy adults and may raise the risk of lung cancer in smokers and people exposed to asbestos.” [8]
The effectiveness of beta-carotene for treating different forms of cancer is still debated and has currently not been proven to prevent cancer in humans [9]. However, beta-carotene is used for breast cancer prevention although there are currently no known studies that support its use for lowering breast cancer risk [10].
Beta-carotene side effects
The most common side effect is harmless orange coloring of the skin due to deposition of the carotenoid in the outer layer of the epidermis (carotenodermia) [3].
[the_ad id=”28979″]
References
- Milne, George W. A. “Gardner’s commercially important chemicals: synonyms, trade names, and properties.” New York: Wiley-Interscience. (2005).
- Susan D. Van Arnum (1998). “Vitamin A”. Vitamin A in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (45). New York: John Wiley. pp. 99–107.
- Stahl, Wilhelm, et al. “Increased dermal carotenoid levels assessed by noninvasive reflection spectrophotometry correlate with serum levels in women ingesting Betatene.” The Journal of nutrition 128.5 (1998): 903-907.
-
Biesalski, Hans Konrad, et al. “Effects of controlled exposure of sunlight on plasma and skin levels of β-carotene.” Free radical research 24.3 (1996): 215-224.
-
Sumida, Satoshi, et al. “Effect of a single bout of exercise and β-carotene supplementation on the urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in humans.” Free radical research 27.6 (1997): 607-618.
-
Neuman, Ittai, Hermona Nahum, and Ami Ben-Amotz. “Prevention of exercise-induced asthma by a natural isomer mixture of β-carotene.” Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 82.6 (1999): 549-553.
-
Singh, Vishwa N. “A current perspective on nutrition and exercise.” The Journal of nutrition 122.3 Suppl (1992): 760.
- Do Vitamin Supplements Make Sense? Retrieved from WebMD.com at 29. April 2013
- Vitamin A, Retinoids, and Provitamin A Carotenoids”. American Cancer Society.
- “Beta-carotene intake and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.”. Retrieved from WebMD.com at 29. April 2012.
