What is a serious problem with beta-carotene supplements?

High doses of beta-carotene can turn skin yellow or orange. Taking high doses of beta-carotene supplements might also increase the chance of death from all causes, increase the risk of certain cancers, and possibly cause other serious side effects.

What happens when you consume too much beta-carotene supplements?

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.

What supplements are harmful for smokers?

A few prospective studies have shown that long-term use of high doses of some supplements, such as retinol, β-carotene, B vitamins, and vitamin E, increase lung cancer risk in current and former smokers.

What does beta-carotene have to do with smokers?

Among current smokers, beta-carotene supplementation was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95\% confidence interval [95\% CI], 1.10-1.39).

How does beta-carotene turn into vitamin A?

Beta-carotene is transformed into vitamin A by the liver, according to the body’s needs. It is the most powerful precursor to vitamin A, followed by alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, other carotenoids.

What does beta-carotene mean?

Beta Carotene is a compound that gives vivid yellow, orange, and red coloring to vegetables. The body converts Beta Carotene into vitamin A (retinol). Vitamin A, known as a vital nutrient for vision, plays a critical role in cell growth and in maintaining healthy organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

What is beta-carotene supplements?

What’s the difference between beta-carotene and vitamin A?

Beta-carotene (β-carotene) is a precursor to vitamin A, an essential vitamin at any age, including for cellular health and vision. It is also a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It turns into vitamin A according to the body’s needs.

What is beta carotene supplements?

How does vitamin A affect smokers?

One scientific study involving 29,000 people found 18\% more lung cancers and 8\% more overall deaths in smokers taking beta carotene. Another study of 18,000 cases showed 28\% more lung cancers and 17\% more deaths in smokers and asbestos workers who were taking beta carotene and vitamin A supplements.

What vitamin should smokers take?

A new study has found that supplements of vitamin C can largely stop the serious depletion of vitamin E that occurs in smokers, demonstrating for the first time in humans a remarkable interaction between these two antioxidants as they work together.

Is beta-carotene safer than vitamin A?

Taking big doses of vitamin A can be toxic, but your body only converts as much vitamin A from beta-carotene as it needs. That means beta-carotene is considered a safe source of vitamin A. However, too much beta-carotene can be dangerous for people who smoke.

Are beta-carotene supplementation effects associated with smoking status?

The ATBC study, the CARET study, the Antioxidant Polyp Prevention trial, and the E3N study provide evidence that the adverse effects of beta-carotene supplementation are correlated with the smoking status of the study participants.

Does beta-carotene intake affect lung cancer risk?

Beta-carotene and lung cancer in smokers: review of hypotheses and status of research A number of epidemiological studies have reported associations of beta-carotene plasma levels or intake with decreased lung cancer risk.

Are beta-carotene supplements safe to take?

If you smoke or have a history of smoking or asbestos exposure, you should not take large amounts of beta-carotene supplements for long periods of time. However, foods that are rich in beta-carotene are considered safe and appear to lower the risk of some types of cancer and possibly heart disease. Copyright © 2020 IBM Watson Health.