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[T1076]Too Much Beta Carotene

by Kallore Gandhi, Kal

Beta-carotene belongs to the family of a class of substances called carotenoids or carotenes. Carotene serves as an assistant or light-gathering pigment to protect fruits and vegetables from the ill effects of oxygen. The light energy it absorbs is then converted to chlorophyll, which is essential in photosynthesis.

Carotene is a provitamin. It can be stored and converted to vitamin A by the liver. The two primary isomers of carotene are alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the more common and more important of these two primary isomers.

Beta-carotene is derived from the Latin name of carrot. Beta-carotene is a natural fat-soluble pigment. Carotene is responsible for the orange color of fruits and vegetables. Because of its ability to add color, carotene is used as food coloring. Without carotene, margarine will be white in color.

Beta-carotene can be found in yellow, red and deep green leafy vegetable and fruits. Carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and winter squash are just some of the best sources of beta-carotene. In general, the brighter the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more beta-carotene it contains.

Beta-carotene is also an excellent anti-oxidant. It is added in fats to keep the fat from going rancid. This anti-oxidant quality of beta-carotene makes it essential in removing the free radicals from the body. Free radicals damage the basic structure of cells leading to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Because of these qualities, there are claims that beta-carotene helps prevent cancer and other diseases such as arthritis, cystic fibrosis and heart disease. Its anti-oxidant qualities make it also an immune system booster. Apparently, beta-carotene enables the human body to be stronger and healthier, thus better capable to combat viral diseases. Because of the light gathering character of carotene, there are also claims that beta-carotene is a good protection from sunlight for people with certain skin sensitivities, allergies or diseases.

These qualities of beta-carotene made experts recommend a daily dosage of beta carotene from the natural sources - fruits and vegetables. We are plagued with a polluted environment. The air we breathe and the water we consume is contaminated with germs. Our choice of food may also have toxic effects on our health. Thus, it is very important to have a daily dose of anti-oxidant to combat all these bad substance in the environment and from our food intake.

Though it is advisable to get beta carotene from fruits and vegetables, the supply of fruits and vegetables is either not sufficient or due to preference, people find it difficult to consume the recommended daily allowance of beta-carotene. Thus, a dietary supplement is necessary.

Vitabase Beta Carotene softgel capsule is the perfect supplement for this much needed vitamin. At 25,000 IU, you are assured that you are taking just the right quantity for the needed effect. Likewise, you are assured of the quality of beta-carotene with the brand Vitabase Beta Carotene. The softgel capsules make it easy to swallow even for consumers who find it difficult to gulp down pills.

Beta carotene, pregnancy not withstanding, is converted by the human body into vitamin A and unused amounts are stored in the liver. The level of this, as well as other nutrients, in newborns is largely dependant on the levels ingested during pregnancy. Vitamin A is important to the growth and motor development of infants and the lack thereof may contribute to infant mortality, especially from infectious disease, in developing nations.

Beta carotene is not teratogenic and is recommended over vitamin A which has the possibility of teratogenicity. Teratogenesis is anything that is potentially harmful to a developing fetus. It is also now believed that various micronutrients affect the way in which other micronutrients are utilized by the body. This is sometimes not a desirable result but in the case of iron ,which is frequently supplemented during pregnancy, there seems to be a positive result. Supplementation of vitamin A together with supplementation of iron seems to preclude the incidence of anemia better than when only iron is used. Some researchers have also concluded that vitamin A deficiency is less common when both vitamin A and zinc are supplemented simultaneously. It is also now believed that supplementation of beta carotene during pregnancy will result in higher retinol levels in breast milk after delivery.

It is also found that carotenoid levels found in foods may not now be as high as once thought. For instance, the tropical diet may be inherently low in beta carotene. It does seem to be the case, however, that increasing consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables increases a person's over-all nutrient levels. The standard recommendation is to eat five one-half-cup servings of fruits and vegetables per day for normal health.

Unfortunately, very few westerners now eat the way that the experts suggest. When the average American is honest with himself, he soon admits to avoiding some meals entirely and using empty calories to an excessive degree. Although flour is enriched by regulation, it is often omitted from the diet. Persons with low carb diets, in particular, will probably not benefit from the enriched breads that others consume.

Pregnant women who have been advised above all other concerns to keep their weight gain to an acceptable level may turn to diets that do not contain the necessary nutrient levels. The use of prescription prenatal vitamins is commonly recommended by obstetricians. Nothing new should be added to the diet during pregnancy without consultation with an obstetrician. Anything potentially harmful that is currently being used by pregnant women may need to be discontinued upon an obstetrician's advise.

The time to think about the nutritional health of pregnant women and their developing babies is before becoming pregnant. Improving over-all health and addressing existing health concerns before pregnancy, while still in the process of planning one's family, is the best way to insure that things go as well as possible during pregnancy.

A healthy start in life is the best advantage. It is worth the extra effort.

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Article Source : New Chapter Prenatal Vitamins

About Author

Both Kallore Gandhi & Hari are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kallore Gandhi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Hoodia and Tax. For all your vitamins, minerals, herbs and essential oil needs please visit our online store at Your satisfaction is guaranteed.. Kallore Gandhi's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.

Hari has sinced written about articles on various topics from Advertising Guide, Home Improvement and Trucks. Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit. Hari's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.