Beta Carotene Powder 1%

Beta Carotene Powder 1%

Beta-carotene (provitamin A) is a powerful antioxidant like vitamin C and vitamin E. It helps neutralize free radicals in the body, molecules that damage basic cell structure.

The compound was isolated from carrot roots in the early 19th century and named carotene. It is also referred to as a-beta-carotene, carotenes, and carotenoids. Beta-carotene is one of nearly 600 different carotenoids, highly pigmented, fat-soluble compounds that give red, orange and yellow plants their color.

Beta-carotene is a provitamin of vitamin A, meaning it is transformed to active vitamin A in the body. This occurs in the intestines and liver. Vitamin A, also known as retinol and retinal, plays a key role in health.

Vitamin A can be toxic if taken in excess. Beta-carotene is not converted to retinol rapidly enough for acute toxicity, which is why some multivitamin manufacturers rely on beta carotene as a source of vitamin A.

The richest sources of beta-carotene include dark leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, squash and broccoli. As a general rule, the greater the intensity of the color, the more beta-carotene a plant contains. Beta-carotene has about 1/12th the potency as pure vitamin A. It takes 12 micrograms (mcg) of beta-carotene to provide the equivalent of 1 mcg of vitamin A.