Beta-Carotene and Vitamin A

by Vorst Canada December 09, 2022

Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.

Beta carotene and vitamin A are the organic compounds that are crucial for health. Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, whereas vitamin A functions as an important micronutrient. These organic compounds are found in fruits, vegetables, and animal foods and are lipid soluble.

They are an excellent source of antioxidants and can improve vision, heart health, and cognitive abilities and boost overall health and well-being.

This article details beta carotene and vitamin A, their food sources, potential benefits, and possible risks associated with overconsumption.

What is Beta Carotene?

Beta carotene is a pigment present in various plants like fruits and vegetables and imparts orange-red color to carrots and other vegetables. Beta carotene is derived from the Latin word “carota” meaning carrot.

It is a precursor to vitamin A and is converted to vitamin A by the body(retinol). Vitamin A is required for a strong immune system, healthy mucous membranes, eyes with clear vision, and healthy skin.

We can obtain vitamin A in supplement form or through the foods we consume, such as beta-carotene. Dietary beta carotene has the benefit of only being converted in the amounts the body requires.

Health Benefits of Beta Carotene

Beta carotene is a compound belonging to the class of carotenoids and is a potent antioxidant. It may reduce oxidative stress, prevent cellular damage, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases including heart diseases, cancer, and mental diseases.

Improve Cognitive Abilities

Beta carotene is believed to improve mental health and cognitive function due to its antioxidant abilities. Oxidative stress resulting from free radicals is the main contributor to cognitive decline and taking adequate amounts of antioxidants helps reduce this problem.

According to a study, supplementing with beta carotene for 15 days in males resulted in a reduced risk of cognitive decline. However, short-term supplementation does not result in a significant reduction in cognitive decline.

Boost Skin Health

Beta carotene has the potential to boost skin health and again antioxidant properties are credited for this benefit. A study revealed that consuming sufficient antioxidant micronutrients, such as beta carotene, can boost the skin's defense against UV radiation while also preserving skin health and beauty.

However, the researchers point out that eating beta-carotene offers far less UV protection than applying a topical sunscreen.

Good for Eye Health

Diets high in carotenoids, such as beta carotene, may support eye health and protect against eye illnesses including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that impairs vision.

According to research, increased levels of carotenoid in the blood such as beta carotene is associated with a 35% lowered risk of developing AMD.

Additionally, research has indicated that diets high in beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables may be particularly beneficial in lowering the incidence of AMD in smokers.

May Lower the Risk of Cancer

Due to high antioxidant levels, beta-carotene has the potential to restrict the growth of certain types of cancer. According to research, eating a diet with high antioxidant levels like beta carotene may help prevent the occurrence of some cancers including pancreas, breast, and lung cancer.

Various health professionals suggest that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which are packed with nutrients including vitamins and minerals and plant chemicals that support health, is preferable to supplementing with beta-carotene.

Foods Containing Beta Carotene

Beta carotene is a fat-soluble compound found in fruits and vegetables and is recommended to take with a fat-rich diet to boost its absorption.

Some foods are rich sources of carotenoids and include

Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli
Carrots
Yellow and red pepper
Peas
Sweat potatoes
Butternut squash
Apricots

Moreover, some herbs and spices like chili, sage, parsley, coriander, paprika, and cilantro are also rich in beta-carotene. Research revealed that raw carrots contain less beta-carotene than cooked carrots.

Possible Risks or Side Effects

Beta carotene is considered safe to use and food rich in beta carotene is not associated with any toxicity. However, eating large quantities of beta carotene may result in a condition called carotenodermia with yellow or orange discoloration of the skin.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A belongs to a class of retinoids, particularly notably retinol and retinyl esters, which are fat-soluble retinoids. This fat-soluble vitamin offers a variety of benefits including a strengthened immune system, cellular communication, improved growth and development, and supports the male and female reproductive system.

The human diet contains two sources of vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) preformed vitamin A and Provitamin A. Foods derived from animal sources, such as dairy goods, eggs, fish, and organ meats, contain preformed vitamin A. Plant pigments called provitamin A carotenoids are transformed by the body into vitamin A in the gut.

Some of the inactive forms of vitamin A include Alpha-, beta-, and beta-cryptoxanthin which are changed into their active form in the body.

Health Benefits of Vitamin A

Prevent Night Blindness

Vitamin A is crucial for our health and its deficiency may lead to night blindness. It is required to send an electrical signal from light that enters your eye to your brain.

Because it promotes the appropriate differentiation and operation of the conjunctival membranes and cornea, as well as being a necessary component of rhodopsin, the light-sensitive protein in the retina that reacts to light entering the eye, vitamin A is also crucial for vision.

May Reduce Cancer Risk

Some researchers have investigated whether consuming enough carotenoids might lower the chance of developing lung, prostate, and other cancers. Some studies showed that Taking a diet rich in carotenoids helps reduce the risk of cancer while other studies showed conflicting results.

Strengthen Immune System

Vitamin A is essential for the maintenance of our body's defense system. This includes the mucous membranes in your eyes, lungs, stomach, and genitalia that serve as filters for bacteria and other contagious organisms.

Additionally, it plays a role in the development and operation of white blood cells, which aid in the removal of germs and other pathogens from circulation. Studies showed that low levels of vitamin A can raise the risk of developing infections.

Possible Risks or Side Effects

Vitamin A is lipid-soluble and its increased levels may cause toxicity. Excessive consumption of vitamin A leads to a condition known as hypervitaminosis A characterized by symptoms like nausea, dizziness, headache, pain, and even death.

Bottom Line

Vitamin A and carotenoids are antioxidant compounds essential for various processes in the body. They reduce oxidative stress, prevent cellular damage, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Vitamin A and carotenoids strengthen the immune system, improve skin, heart, and brain health and boost vision.

Here you can check out Vorst's Beta Carotene 1.5mg (5000IU) Vitamin A.

References

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/769551

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/96/5/1179S/4577133

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5119484/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5715512/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20200262/

https://patient.info/healthy-living/vitamin-a-deficiency-leaflet

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8923019/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10601381/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6496388/