Why is beta-carotene bad for you?

Why is beta-carotene bad for you?

Beta-carotene doesn’t seem to be toxic in large doses. But high doses over a long time can lead to carotenemia. This causes your skin to become yellowish orange. Too much beta-carotene is a problem for some people.

Does beta-carotene give you energy?

The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. Ordinary cooking does not destroy beta-carotene. Vitamins alone will not take the place of a good diet and will not provide energy. Your body needs other substances found in food, such as protein, minerals, carbohydrates, and fat.

Is beta-carotene bad for your liver?

Dietary β-carotene supplementation has been found to have a protective effect on liver damage.

Does beta-carotene lighten skin?

You can also find beta-carotene in other foods, like pumpkin, sweet potato, and—confusingly—spinach, but it’s most abundant in carrot juice. If you consume enough beta-carotene it turns you a very unpleasant shade of yellow-orange. But if you eat just the right amount, it simply tints your skin a bit.

How does beta carotene benefit the human body?

There are a number of ways that beta carotene can benefit human health. Below, we give some examples: Beta carotene, like all carotenoids, is an antioxidant. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules; it protects the body from free radicals. Free radicals damage cells through oxidation.

Are there any side effects to taking beta carotene?

However, beta carotene is not known to be toxic, even at large supplemental doses. The only known effect of long-term excessive beta carotene intake for most people is orange-yellow skin discoloration. Smokers who take high doses of beta-carotene supplements have been found to be at higher risk of death due to lung cancer. 1

Is there any evidence that beta carotene improves memory?

There is evidence that beta carotene, like other antioxidants, may improve memory and cognitive function. A review of multiple studies found that long-term beta carotene supplementation had positive effects on cognitive function and memory.

What can I take to lower beta carotene levels?

Statins – the effectiveness of simvastatin (Zocor) and niacin may be decreased if the patient is taking beta carotene with selenium and vitamins E and C. Some cholesterol-lowering drugs – cholestyramine and colestipol can reduce blood levels of dietary beta carotene by thirty to forty per cent.