What Is the Connection Between Beta Carotene and Cancer?

Beta-carotene, a carrot derived from Latin, is a member of the family of natural chemicals such as carotene or carotenoids. It is abundant in plants, giving fruits and vegetables a full yellow and orange color. ^[1]

-carotene, which is a tetraterpene compound, has high pharmacological and nutritional value. Now it has been widely used in medicine, health products, food additives and cosmetics industries. ^[9]

Beta-carotene, derived from carrots in Latin, is an orange-yellow fat-soluble compound that is a precursor of vitamin A. It is abundantly present in plants, giving fruits and vegetables a full color. Due to its functions such as coloring, antioxidant and nutrition enhancement, -carotene is widely used in general foods and healthcare products. ^[10]

Place in a light-shielded container, fill with nitrogen, seal, and store in a cool place. ^[7]

Beta-carrot vegetarian sources

The most abundant sources of beta-carotene are green leafy vegetables and yellow, orange fruits (such as carrots, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and winter melon). In general, the more intensely colored a fruit or vegetable, the greater the beta-carotene content. ^[1]

insufficient beta-carotene intake

Can cause night blindness, dry mucous membranes, xerophthalmia, and myopia; increase the chance of cancer, cataract, cardiovascular, reproductive system, urinary system diseases and respiratory infections; premature aging, insomnia, weakness and dermatitis, skin Keratinization and other symptoms. ^[2]

beta-carotene intake

Beta-carrot vegetarian sources

If the carotene-rich food is ingested in a single overdose, it cannot be converted into vitamin A in time, and the excess carotene will flow into the bloodstream and enter the circulatory system. When the epidermis is bound to epidermal lipoproteins, for people with high blood lipids, carotene is more likely to deposit in the skin, causing the skin to turn yellow. Generally speaking, this causes the carotene to accumulate in the subcutaneous adipose tissue before it can be metabolized, which makes the skin temporarily yellow. ^[11]

-carotene intake attention

People taking the following medicines should avoid taking beta-carotene supplements at the same time ^[1] :

l Cholestyramine

l Colestipol

l Probucol

l Orlistat

Cholestyramine and probucol (probucol) are drugs used to lower cholesterol. According to a three-year experiment in Sweden, they can reduce beta-carotene in the blood by 30% to 40%. Colestipol (lipid-lowering resin No. 2), a cholesterol-lowering drug similar to cholestyramine, also reduces beta-carotene. ^[1]

-carotene and Orlistat (lipase inhibitor, Roche Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Xenical, Chinese with Sunrider, may be similar products) are drugs for weight loss, they can not be taken at the same time, because Orlistat will reduce - 30% Carotene absorption. So it reduces the amount of this nutrition in the body. People who need to take Orlistat and beta-carotene supplements at the same time must stagger the time they take the two drugs by at least two hours. ^[1]

Beta-carotene alert to abuse

Beta-carotene can only exert its anti-cancer effect when it contains other important antioxidants such as vitamin C and E in the diet. People who smoke or drink heavily should take beta-carotene carefully, as it increases their chances of heart disease and cancer. ^[1]

Although beta-carotene helps protect sensitive skin from sun damage, it has no sun protection effect. ^[1]

Although animal studies have shown that -carotene is not toxic to fetuses or infants, no related studies have confirmed that this conclusion is equally applicable to humans. Beta-carotene supplements can enter breast milk, but no related studies have confirmed its safety when taken during breastfeeding. Therefore, when pregnant or lactating mothers need to take beta-carotene supplements, they should receive guidance from a physician or medical expert. ^[1]

Even if you take too much carotene in your diet, your skin will turn yellow and it will not harm your health. However, it is dangerous to take a lot of carotene supplements. Studies have found that it is mainly its pro-oxidant effect that promotes cell division and destroys antioxidant substances and vitamin A in the body. The harm is more serious, such as smokers or alcoholics. ^[12]

The traditional view is that carotene supplementation can not only reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and cataract, but also have anti-cancer effect. However, in recent years, many test results have found that compared with the normal control group, the incidence of lung cancer in the group taking -carotene was not reduced, but was 28% higher. ^[13]

Nutritionist analysis: Carotene supplemented with a physiological dose (5 mg / day) does inhibit cancer, and excessive intake of carotene prevents vitamin A from binding to the corresponding receptors, thereby preventing the transformation of tumor suppressor genes. The result is Not to suppress cancer but to go the other way. ^[13]

However, it should be noted that a healthy, reasonable, and nutritious diet is more effective than supplementing B-carotene alone. ^{[2] It} should not be taken at the same time as acidic substances such as vinegar. ^[8]