.jpg)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Beta-carotene Supplementation and Cancer Synonymous for Some
Although the natural pigment beta-carotene is healthy to humans in small and large doses, for those who smoke and/or drink heavily there’s a frightening correlation between consumption of beta-carotene supplementation and cancer.
It’s thought that beta-carotene produced pharmaceutically, aka supplements, unlike healthy beta-carotene produced by Nature, causes metabolism fluctuations within the human cell that lead to higher incidences of some types of cancer, especially cancer of the lungs. In contrast, beta-carotene taken in from food sources such as sweet potatoes, cilantro, carrots, and winter squash are high in antioxidants, thus reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Beta-carotene is one of many provitamins capable of being converted into active vitamin A. Although studies about beta-carotene remain inconclusive regarding the pigment’s impact on many diseases and human conditions, it is known that beta-carotene can be converted to retinol, an essential component of vision that in turn can be converted into retinoic acid, a factor in growth and cell differentiation.
Additional information about beta-carotene and beta-carotene supplements includes:
* One area where beta-carotene supplements excel is in fighting erythropoietic protoporphyria,
a rare inherited genetic disorder that can cause painful skin sensitivity to sunlight, gallstones, and liver dysfunction
* Beta-carotene supplements can increase the risk of death to asbestos-exposed people
* Patients with high beta-carotene intake in their diets decrease bronchitis and shortness of breath in male smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder .. Beta-carotene supplements may increase cancer rate among same group
* Increased dietary intake of beta-carotene may reduce adverse effects in children undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoblast leukemia
The colorful pigments (or chemicals,) in fruits and vegetables, the group known as carotenoids of which beta-carotene is the most common, are healthy when consumed as food in the human body. However, artificial beta-carotene supplementation and cancer can be bedfellows one might try to avoid.
by Rocky Wilson
Author of Sharene - Death: A Prerequisite For Life
Owner of Healthy Chocolate website
