| Beta Carotene, as an anti-oxidant, supports the | | | | first three months of pregnancy. |
| cardiovascular system. And, after the body | | | | Beta carotene, in all other situations, has been shown |
| transforms Beta Carotene to Vitamin A, it helps | | | | to be extremely safe. Because the body only |
| maintain the health of the skin, immune system, and | | | | converts necessary amounts of beta carotene, it |
| eyes. | | | | does not have the toxic effects of larger doses of |
| And Vitamin A is an essential component of the | | | | Vitamin A. Although no Recommended Daily |
| epithelial cells which guard us from environmental | | | | Allowance has been established for beta carotene, |
| toxins. | | | | experts advise taking between 2500 IU and 10000IU |
| Beta Carotene Health Benefits | | | | per day. |
| Beta carotene both lowers cholesterol and helps | | | | How to Choose a Beta Carotene Supplement to |
| minimize arterial hardening. It may also benefit | | | | Maximize Your Health Benefits |
| sufferers of cataracts, cancer, AIDS, high blood | | | | 1. Buy your supplements only from producers who |
| pressure, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, | | | | practice pharmaceutical GMP compliance. Supplements |
| rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, and asthma brought | | | | produced without it may contain dangerous |
| on by exercise. And it may help prevent cancer and | | | | contaminants, or not have the advertised ingredients. |
| hart disease. | | | | A recent report indicated that consumers only have a |
| Beta carotene may also, because of its ability to act | | | | 20% chance of their supplement actually having the |
| as a powerful antioxidant within the human body help | | | | amount of ingredients listed on the product label. You |
| prevent cancer and heart disease. In addition, | | | | can read more about the he industry-wide problem |
| because anti-oxidants neutralize the cell-structure | | | | here. |
| damaging chemical reactions of free radical, beta | | | | 2. Contact the company you are thinking of |
| carotene may slow free radical related aging and | | | | patronizing, and if they have a certificates of analysis |
| disease. | | | | on file which guarantee that the ingredients in their |
| A Harvard University study indicated that those who | | | | products are the same as the ones listed on the |
| take 50mg of beta carotene daily have their risk of | | | | labels, and that they are fully potent ingredients. |
| heart attacks and strokes cut in half! | | | | 3. Because Beta carotene works most effectively in |
| Beta carotene will also improve vision and skin | | | | tandem with other anti-oxidants and carotenoids, we |
| conditions like psoriasis and eczema. | | | | suggest that nutrient as part of a comprehensive, |
| And beta carotene acts to prevent the development | | | | scientifically balanced formula. |
| of precancerous cells mouth and respiratory tract. | | | | 4. Not all beta carotene is created equal; over the |
| Warnings about Beta Carotene | | | | years we have learned that most manufacturers use |
| Ingesting very large amounts of beta carotene can | | | | synthetic beta carotene--an extremely cheap and far |
| lead to an orange discoloration of the skin and urine; | | | | less effective variety. Natural Beta Carotene, while |
| it has also been associated with a heightened risk of | | | | more expensive, has been shown in some clinical trials |
| lung cancer, so smokers especially should avoid the | | | | to be far superior. The synthetic version was tested |
| supplement, or at the very least, consult with their | | | | on rats in one study, and had not effect on their |
| doctors before taking it. Large doses of beta | | | | tumors, but when the same rats were treated with |
| carotene could prove toxic to anyone suffering from | | | | natural beta carotene, some of their tumors |
| liver damage, or lead to birth defects if taken in the | | | | disappeared. |