Beta Carotene (25,000 IU)

• A powerful antioxidant.
• Plays an important role in eye health.
• Safe, not toxic form of Vitamin A

Customer Rating

Reviews By Nutritional Tree

Beta Carotene occurs naturally in a variety of plants as well as in some alga. As a carotenoid it is responsible for the yellow and orange colors in vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes or fruits like cantaloupe. Over 800 carotenes and 1,000 carotenoids have been identified and Beta Carotene is one of the most biologically active of the group. In the body, carotenoids can be converted to Vitamin A. Beta Carotene, also called provitamin A, is more easily converted than other carotenoids.

Beta Carotene is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are important because they help rid the body of free radicals. Free radicals occur in the body through natural metabolic processes (like breathing) or exposure to environmental conditions like pollution, radiation (including sunlight), or smoking. One of the most damaging free radicals is singlet oxygen – an oxygen molecule missing an electron. Beta Carotene is particularly adept at scavenging this free radical.

While excessive intake of Vitamin A can be toxic, excessive Beta Carotene is stored in the liver and converted to Vitamin A as the body needs it, without toxicity. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in the world today. Healthy professionals recommend daily intake of 3-6 mg yet most Americans get only 1.3 – 2.9 mg/day.

As one of the four fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamin A is important to general health. One important function it plays is contributing to eye health. Vitamin A is a key element in the proper functioning of the retina. Vitamin A deficiency in the eye can lead to night blindness and increase the risk of macular degeneration, a leading eye concern for older people. Vitamin A also helps support proper immune system function lowering susceptibility to infection. It accomplishes this by stimulating white blood cell function and increasing antibody activity. Vitamin A stores are used quickly when the body suffers a wound or burn. Vitamin A along with several other nutrients is used to form new tissue making it a central part of wound healing. Appropriate levels of Vitamin A are needed for proper bone development. Levels that are either too low or too high can lead bone loss or osteoporosis. Vitamin A also plays an important role in reproductive health. Learn more...