Beta-carotene is a plant pigment that your body converts into the nutrient vitamin A. Liver cancer originates in your liver tissues and differs from cancer that spreads to your liver from other areas of the body. While use of beta-carotene supplements doesn't appear to specifically increase your liver cancer risks, it can potentially increase your overall cancer risks, as well as your risks for other particular forms of cancer. Talk to your doctor before using beta-carotene.
Beta-Carotene Basics
Beta-carotene is found in carrots, squash, spinach and other fruits and vegetables with yellow, orange or green coloring. When you consume beta-carotene, your body takes only what it needs to meet its vitamin A requirements. Roles for vitamin A in your health include maintenance of proper immune function and maintenance of your skin, mucous membranes and eyes. Beta-carotene belongs to a class of substances called antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage associated with particles called free radicals. Free radicals can disrupt cellular function during an internal process called oxidation.
Liver Cancer Basics
Liver cancer is also called hepatocellular carcinoma. It most commonly occurs in people who have scarring of the liver, also known as cirrhosis. Potential underlying causes of cirrhosis include alcoholism, infection with hepatitis B or C, excessive body levels of iron, certain types of autoimmune liver disease and any disease that causes chronic liver inflammation. Apart from cirrhosis, the presence of hepatitis B or C also increases your liver cancer risks. People with metastatic liver cancer have cancer cells in their livers that travel from other locations through the bloodstream. The specific type of cancer caused by these cells depends on their point of origin inside the body.
Cancer and Mortality Risks
If you get beta-carotene and other antioxidants from food sources, they can potentially lower your risks for the development of cancer and heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consumption of beta-carotene supplements, however, can potentially raise your risks for cancer or heart disease if you smoke heavily or drink a lot of alcohol. Specific forms of cancer associated with smoking and beta-carotene use include prostate and lung cancer. In addition to risks for cancer and heart disease, beta-carotene use may increase your risks for dying from any other cause, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus reports.
Considerations
While beta-carotene supplementation is probably safe in limited amounts for certain health conditions, MedlinePlus recommends that most people avoid taking these supplements. In addition to heavy smokers and drinkers, populations that specifically need to avoid beta-carotene supplementation include people with a history of asbestos exposure and pregnant and lactating women. People scheduled for a medical procedure called an angioplasty need to consult their doctors before taking beta carotene. MedlinePlus notes that excessive alcohol consumption can also potentially increase your cancer risks by lowering body's existing beta carotene supplies and increasing your levels of vitamin A, or retinol.
Member Comments