Beta Carotene – Mixed Source Marine Beta Carotene

. . . .a potent combination of free-radical fighters*

• Mixed Carotenoids 10,00 IU Beta Carotene

• Mixed Carotenoids 10,00 IU Beta Carotene

Features & Benefits

• 100% natural source of carotenoids from D. salina algae

• Powerful antioxidant activity destroys free radicals to safeguard the body from damage*1

• Contains beta carotene, alpha carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein

• Beta carotene is 50 times more efficient than vitamin E at neutralizing free radicals*5

Facts About Carotenoids

Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments that add color to plants in shades of yellow, orange and red. To date, over 700 carotenoids have been identified, but only a small portion are found in foods. Of these, up to 50 can be absorbed and metabolized by humans.6 Alpha, beta and gamma carotene and beta cryptoxanthin are the only carotenoids that can be converted to vitamin A.  Of these, beta carotene has the greatest vitamin A activity.7

Antioxidants are the body’s first line of defense against free radicals.*8 Smoking, pollution, sunlight, radiation, injury and some medications can all create free radicals.*8 Carotenoids are very potent antioxidants.*9,10 They protect cell membranes throughout the body from free- radical damage.*1,11  Effective levels of alpha carotene helps protect the lungs from pollution and smoke and neutralizes free radicals 60 times more efficiently than vitamin E*4

Beta carotene is a potent and useful antioxidant, because one molecule of beta carotene can neutralize up to 1,000 molecules of oxygen.*12 Since most Americans probably don't eat enough foods with beta carotene, the good news is that beta carotene supplements are more effective in raising plasma beta carotene levels than an equivalent amount of beta carotene from carrots13 and much more convenient to consume.*

Lutein and zeaxanthin are not converted to vitamin A but are effective antioxidants.*6 Lutein from supplements is better absorbed than lutein from foods,6 although lutein is the most common carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables. The only carotenoids present in the eye,14,15 lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the macula region of the retina and in the lens of the eye.16 A daily dose appears to specifically help at protecting the retina from UV and blue-light (photochemical) damage.*2,3 Lutein also helps protect the lens of the eye.*17

Ingredient Highlights

Nature’s Life Beta Carotene from Marine Source Mixed Carotenoids  is derived from the unique microalgae, Dunaliella salina (Betatene® by Henkel). This oceanic algae is a natural source of several carotenoidsincluding significant amounts of beta carotene. Carotenoids should always be taken with food for best absorption.13,17

Unlike synthetic, all trans-beta carotene, natural beta carotene is a mixture of cis and trans forms. Some researchers suggest that the cis form is the most potent antioxidant.*12 While some natural beta carotenes may contain little cis-beta carotene, Nature’s Life Beta Carotene from Marine Source Mixed Carotenoids contains cis- and trans-beta carotene in a concentrated 50/50 mixture.

Beta Carotene Safety

Natural beta carotene does not cause hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A overdose) but does convert to vitamin A as your body needs it.*1,7 Mixed carotenoids are nontoxic. The only side effect from taking high doses is a pale orange color to the skin from carotenes being stored in the fat just under the skin. This color disappears when carotenoid supplementation is stopped.*7

 Carotenoids are safe even for pregnant women and their babies.*13 They are not carcinogenic, mutagenic, embryotoxic or teratogenic.*7 Long term use (over 15 years) of large amounts (up to 180 mg/day) of beta carotene has produced no evidence of toxicity.*7

References

1. Krinsky, NI. and Deneke, SM.  Interaction of Oxygen and Oxy-radicals With Carotenoids.  JNCI, 1982;69(1):205-10.

2. Bone, RA., et al. Analysis of the Macular Pigment by HPLC: Retinal Distribution and Age Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1988;29:843-9.

3. Bone, RA., et al. Stereochemistry of the Human Macular Carotenoids. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 1993;34:2033-40.

4. Ziegler, R., et al. The importance of Alpha Carotene, Beta Carotene and other Phytochemicals in the Etiology of Lung Cancer. Am J Epidemiol, 1996;143(11 Suppl):s35[abstr#139].

5. Ribaya-Mercado, JD., et al. Shin Lycopene Is Destroyed Preferentially over Beta-Carotene during Ultraviolet Irradiation in Humans. Am In Nutr, 1994;1854-59.

6. Khachik, F. PhD, et al. Lutein, Lycopene, and Their Oxidative Metabolites in Chemoprevention of Cancer. J Cell Biochem, 1995;22:236s-46s.

7. Bendich, A. The Safety of Beta Carotene. Nutr Cancer, 1988;11:207-14.

8. Suzukawa, M., MD, PhD, et al. Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Antioxidant Content and Susceptibility of Low-Density Lipoprotein to Oxidative Modification. J Am Col Nutr, 1994;13:237-42.

9. Hankinson, SE., et al. Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study. BMJ, 1992;305:335-9.

10. Bendich, A. and Shapiro, SS. Effect of Beta Carotene and     Canthaxanthin on the Immune Response of the Rat.         J Nutr, 1986;116:2254-62.

11. Burton, GW. and Ingold KU. Beta Carotene: An Unusual Type of Lipid Antioxidant. Science, 1984;224:569-73.

12. Foote, CS. PhD, et al. Quenching of Singlet Oxygen.  Ann         NY Acad Sci, 1970;171:139-48.

13. Bulux, J., et al. Plasma response of children to short-term chronic beta carotene supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr, 1994;59:1369-75.

14. Yeum, KJ., et al. Measurement of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols in human lenses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1995;36:2756-61.

15. DiMasco, D., Kaiser, SP. and Sies, H. Lycopene as the most efficient biological carotenoid singlet oxygen quencher. Arch Biochem Biohpys, 1989;274:532-38.

16. Bone, RA., et al. Preliminary identification of the human macular pigment. Vision Res, 1985;25:1531-37.

17. Prince, MR. and Frisoli, JK. Beta carotene accumulation in serum and skin. Am J Clin Nutr, 1993;57:175-81.