Carotenes

The information on this page compiled by
Beth Burch N.D.
Index
(click on the keywords)

Function

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Forms

• Common supplements include:
• Beta-carotene
• Mixed carotenes
• Lycopene
• Lutein

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Food Sources

• Alpha, beta and gamma carotene are found in large amounts in leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, apricots and yams. Lycopenes are high in tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, apricots and pink grapefruit. Lutein is high in leafy greens, corn, carrots, tomatoes and fruits.

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Dosage

• Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
• There is no RDA for carotenes. For vegetarians, beta-carotene will be converted to supply vitamin A in the body. The amount of beta-carotene needed to supply the RDA of vitamin A in an adult is 5 mg or 8300 IU per day.

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Optimal Supplementation

• Beta-carotene- 10,000-25,000 IU daily
• Lycopene- At least 6 mg per day
• Lutein- At least 6 mg per day
• Since the carotenes work together, the best way to get good amounts of all of them is to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially leafy greens, dark orange vegetables and fruits and tomatoes.

Treatment of Health Conditions

• Beta-carotene- 25,000-100,000 IU per day

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Conditions used for

• HIV ^{(1, 2, 5)}
• Preventing vaginal yeast infections ⁽³⁾
• Cancer prevention ^{(4, 6, 7, 11)}
• Immune enhancement ⁽⁹⁾
• Psoriasis ⁽¹⁰⁾
• Preventing cataracts and macular degeneration- lutein ⁽¹²⁾

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Side effects

• Orange color of skin (especially palms and soles) may occur with high intake of yellow -orange carotenes. This is more likely with deficiency of zinc, vitamin C or thyroid hormone.
• High intake of carotenes may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels

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Contraindications

• None known

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Interactions with other nutrients

• High doses of beta-carotene may deplete vitamin E
• Zinc, vitamin C and protein are needed for the conversion of carotenes to vitamin A

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Interactions with medications and herbs

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References

1. Omene JA et al, Serum beta-carotene deficiency in HIV-infected children, J Natl Med Assoc 1996;88(12):789-93
2. Fryburg DA et al, The effect of supplemental beta-carotene on immunologic indices in patients with AIDS: a pilot study, Yale J Biol Med 1995;68(1-2):19-23
3. Mikhail MS et al, Decreased beta-carotene levels in exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells in women with vaginal candidiasis, Am J Reprod Immunol 1994;32(3):221-5
4. Rock CL et al, Carotenoids: biology and treatment, Pharmacol Ther 1997;75(3):185-97
5. Sappey C et al, Vitamin, trace element and peroxide status in HIV seropositive patients: asymptomatic patients present a severe beta-carotene deficiency, Clin Chim Acta 1994 Oct 14;230(1):35-42
6. Smith TA, Carotenoids and cancer: prevention and potential therapy, Br J Biomed Sci 1998;55(4):268-75
7. Zhang S et al, Dietary carotenoids and vitamins A, C, and E and risk of
breast cancer, J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91(6):547-56.
8. Yang Y, Carotenoid analysis of several dark-green leafy vegetables associated with a lower risk of cancers, Biomed Environ Sci 1996;9(4):386-92
9. Santos MS et al, Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-carotene supplementation, Am J Clin Nutr;64(5):772-7
10. Naldi L et al, Dietary factors and the risk of psoriasis. Results of an Italian case-control study, Br J Dermatol 1996;134(1):101-6
11. Sengupta A et al, The anti-carcinogenic role of lycopene, abundantly present in tomato, Eur J Cancer Prev 1999;8(4):325-30
12. Bone RA et al, Distribution of macular pigment componets, zeazanthin and lutein,in human retina, Methods Enzymol 1992;213:360-66

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* The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions.