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“Betacarotene facts”
Interesting facts about betacarotene:
Betacarotene is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it is only really able to be absorbed in the body when it is taken with some fat at the same time.
Betacarotene is a part of the carotene (or carotenoids) family of vitamins.
Some of the betacarotene in foods that are eaten is used by the body as an antioxidant. Betacarotene is one of the major antioxidant vitamins in the body, which helps to reduce the damage that could be caused by free radicals to the cells of the body. Free radicals are implicated in cancer, heart disease and ageing. Betacarotene's antioxidant activity helps to reduce damage and mutation to the cells DNA and RNA.
Some of the betacarotene, the precursor of vitamin A, gets converted into vitamin A (by the thyroid hormone thyroxine) in the body when it is required and the rest is used by the body as a powerful antioxidant. The body uses as much of the betacarotene that is required to be convert into vitamin A and the rest is used as an antioxidant. Research shows that less than 50% of the betacarotene in foods eaten is converted into vitamin A, which means a significant portion of betacarotene being used as an antioxidant by the body.
Betacarotene is converted into vitamin A in the intestines, through a complex process involving bile (from the liver) and thyroxine (from they thyroid).
Betacarotene is required for a healthy immune system, in particular, it is vital to help activate special white blood cells called macrophages and lymphocytes. The macrophages have a specific action in the body - to engulf and neutralise any pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungii), thus preventing infection, while the lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system, as they are the white blood cells which are effective at destroying the pathogen by various methods. The lymphocytes are grouped into: T cells (which destroy infected body cells), Natural Killer cells (which destroy any invading pathogens) and B cells (which are required for immunity). Betacarotene increases the numbers and effectiveness of all of these white blood cells to prevention infection and disease.
Studies show that betacarotene has a very protective effect on the cardiovascular system and in particular, research shows that betacarotene can helps to lower and prevent oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, while increasing levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. High levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol are implicated in heart disease and betacarotene reduces this risk.
The Physicians Health Study by Harvard university which has been studying the heart health of over 22,000 male doctors, has shown that the doctors who took a betacarotene supplement every second day had a 50% less chance of heart attack, stroke and death from these than the doctors who did not take a betacarotene supplement. In addition to this, the study also showed that betacarotene supplements seemed to have a superior protective effect on the heart than aspirin, which is often recommended to help thin the blood and prevent blood clots, thereby reducing risk of heart disease. Other studies show that betacarotene, together with the other antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E) have a protective effect on the heart, reducing risk of heart attack and stroke in people who are at most risk.
Various studies have shown that people who have low levels of betacarotene are generally more at risk of developing a number of cancers, while increased levels of betacarotene are associated with a lowered risk for many types of cancers. Studies show that higher levels of betacarotene are especially associated with 80% less risk of cervical cancer and 30% less risk of lung cancer. In other studies of patients with cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy, the patients who were supplemented with betacarotene (and vitamin A) lived longer, had a better response rate and less side effects to the chemotherapy treatment than the patients who did not get any betacarotene (and vitamin A) supplements.
Studies have showed that betacarotene supplements used in conjunction with conventional drug treatment for people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increased the number of white blood and immunity (CD4+) cells responsible for fighting infection and preventing virus replication. The study suggested that betacarotene may be useful for people with HIV to prevent further opportunistic infections and delay or even prevent progression to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
Betacarotene is the substance that is responsible for the orange colour of raw fruits and vegetables that are rich in this vitamin. . Other non-orange coloured vegetables also contain high levels of beta-carotene too. Food rich in betacarotene are: apricots, carrots, endive, green and red lettuce, kale, rockmelon, pumpkin, red capsicum and peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon.
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.