Beta-Carotene : Part 2

by MedlinePlus

(Page 2 of 5)

Oral leukoplakia

Taking beta-carotene orally seems to induce remission in patients with oral leukoplakia. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Osteoarthritis

Beta-carotene supplementation does not appear to prevent osteoarthritis, but it might slow progression of the disease. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE)

75 to 180mg of beta-carotene (the equivalent of 125,000 to 300,000 Units of vitamin A activity) a day has been used for PLE.

Pregnancy-related complications

All-trans beta-carotene (synthetic beta-carotene) taken weekly before, during, and after pregnancy may reduce pregnancy-related mortality, night blindness, post partum diarrhea and fever. Synthetic beta-carotene has not been proven to reduce fetal and early infant mortality. Doses of 2400 micrograms of beta-carotene (red palm oil) has been reported to significantly improve maternal and neonatal vitamin A status and reduce the prevalence of maternal anemia.A regular intake of a micronutrient supplement at a nutritional dose may be sufficient to improve micronutrient status of apparently healthy pregnant women and could prevent low birth weight of newborn. However, further research is necessary to consolidate the evidence in this area before a clear recommendation can be made.

UV-induced erythema prevention/sunburn

A combination of antioxidants may help protect the skin against irradiation. Long-term supplementation with beta-carotene may reduce UV-induced erythema, and appears to modestly reduce the risk of sunburn in individuals who are sensitive to sun exposure. However, beta-carotene is unlikely to have much effect on sunburn risk in most people. Some study results conflict. Taking beta-carotene orally can reduce photosensitivity in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a genetic disorder resulting in defective porphyrin metabolism. It does not seem to reduce the incidence of solar keratoses or skin cancers associated with sun exposure.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) prevention

Long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene has been shown not to have a protective or preventive effect in male smokers with large AAAs.

Alzheimer's disease

Intake of dietary or supplemental beta-carotene has been shown not to have any effect on Alzheimer's disease risk.

Angioplasty

There is some concern that when antioxidant vitamins, including beta-carotene, are used together they might have harmful effects in patients after angioplasty. A combination of beta-carotene 30,000 IU, vitamin C 500mg, and vitamin E 700 IU daily started 30 days before angioplasty, and continued for 6 months thereafter, seems to prevent beneficial vascular remodeling in patients after angioplasty by promoting fibrosis at the site of angioplastic intervention. Additional research is needed to determine the effect of beta-carotene specifically. Supplements containing these vitamins should be avoided immediately before and following angioplasty without the recommendation of a qualified healthcare professional.

Birthmark/mole (dysplastic nevi) prevention

Beta-carotene has been shown not to reduce the development of new moles in patients with numerous atypical moles.

Cancer

While diets high in fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene have been shown to potentially reduce the incidence of certain cancers, results from randomized controlled trials with oral supplements do not support this claim.There is some concern that beta-carotene metabolites with pharmacological activity can accumulate and potentially have cancer causing (carcinogenic) effects. A higher, statistically significant incidence of lung cancer in male smokers who took beta-carotene supplements has been discovered. Beta-carotene/vitamin A supplements may have an adverse effect on the incidence of lung cancer and on the risk of death in smokers and asbestos exposed people or in those who ingest significant amounts of alcohol. In addition, high-dose antioxidants theoretically may interfere with the activity of some chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy. Therefore, individuals undergoing cancer treatment should speak with their oncologist if they are taking or considering the use of high dose antioxidants.Beta-carotene in the amounts normally found in food does not appear to have this adverse effect.

Cardiovascular disease

Although several observational epidemiological studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables containing beta-carotene appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, most randomized controlled trials with oral supplements of beta-carotene have not supported these claims.A Science Advisory from the American Heart Association states that the evidence does not justify use of antioxidants such as beta-carotene for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria eradication

Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the gut can lead to gastric ulcers. Dietary supplementation with beta-carotene has not been found to be effective for this indication.

Mortality reduction

Patients given beta-carotene supplements show no reduction in relative mortality rates from all causes based on most available data.

Postoperative tissue injury prevention

Study results conclude that peri-operative supplementation with antioxidant micronutrients has limited effects on strength and physical function following major elective surgery.

Stroke

Taking all-trans beta-carotene (synthetic beta-carotene) orally, 20mg daily for a median of six years, has been reported to have no effect on the overall incidence of stroke in male smokers. Additionally, there is some evidence that beta-carotene actually increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage by 62% in patients who also drink alcohol.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acute respiratory infections, anemia, angina pectoris, asbestosis, benign breast disease, bone marrow transplantation, cell-to-cell communication, cervical cancer, chronic atrophic gastritis, chronic myeloid leukemia, colorectal cancer, diabetes, esophageal cancer, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction symptoms in young athletes, Graves' disease, group A streptococcal infections, high cholesterol, HIV, improving lung function, improving micronutrient status during alcohol rehabilitation, iron deficiency prevention, multiple myeloma, nasal polyposis, night vision, post-partum weight management, reduction of bronchopulmonary dysplasia without increasing mortality or neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely low birth weight infants, low birth weight prevention, sepsis, supratentorial glioblastoma, weight loss in HIV patients.

About the Author

medlineplus.gov
MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.