Your body needs vitamins to maintain health, growth and development. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that can come in various forms. Beta carotene is a form of vitamin A that you can get from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and as a dietary supplement. Beta carotene is an important nutrient, but consuming too much can lead to adverse health effects. Always consult a doctor before increasing your intake of food or supplements that contain beta carotene.
Beta Carotene
As a form of vitamin A, beta carotene is able to act as an antioxidant within your body, MedlinePlus reports. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage. Beta carotene is highly effective in treating a rare genetic condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria, which is a disease characterized by liver disease and extreme sensitivity to light. Beta carotene can also help prevent breast and ovarian cancer, treat age-related eye disease and reduce the effects of osteoarthritis. If you think you may need beta carotene, talk to your doctor.
Dosage of Beta Carotene
Typically, getting beta carotene from foods is healthier than relying on supplements. Five daily servings of fruit and vegetables supply you with enough beta carotene to stay healthy, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. However, if you need to take beta carotene supplements, make sure you only take the recommended daily dosage. Children with erythropoietic protoporphyria need approximately 50,000 to 250,000 IU of beta carotene per day. For adults, 25,000 to 83,000 IU of beta carotene is enough to ensure good health. If an adult patient suffers from erythropoietic protoporphyria, a higher dose of around 50,000 to 500,000 IU of beta carotene per day may be required. If you are receiving large doses of beta carotene, you will need regular blood monitoring to ensure your beta carotene blood levels are within normal limits.
Overdose
High doses of beta carotene can cause disturbing side effects. Most commonly, you could develop a reversible yellow discoloration of your hands, palms, feet and face. This discoloration is called carotenoderma, according to MayoClinc.com. Dizziness is also a common side effect associated with high doses of beta carotene. Patients have also complained of diarrhea, excessive bleeding, joint pain and bruising. Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after taking beta carotene supplements.
Special Cases
In certain cases, almost any amount of beta carotene is potentially dangerous. Pregnant or breast-feeding mothers should avoid taking beta carotene supplements, MedlinePlus warns. Smokers taking beta carotene supplements increase their risk of developing lung and prostate cancer. If you have been exposed to asbestos, do not take beta carotene supplements, as this may lead to lung cancer. Angioplasty, which is a surgical procedure to repair the heart and its vessels, is another case where taking beta carotene leads to complications. Beta carotene, as well as other antioxidants, can slow the healing process of patients who have undergone an angioplasty.
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