Beta Carotene 15 mg 25,000 I.U. 100 Softgels [GN 1220]

Beta-Carotene 15 mg 25,000 I.U. 100 Softgels

• Antioxidant
• Immune System
• Eye Health
• Infections
• Rich in nutrients
• Energy
• cardiovascular health


This provitamin A is part of the Carotenoid family and readily converts to Vitamin A in the system when needed. Beta Carotene is also an immune system enhancer and antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight cell damaging free radicals in the body. Free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which, studies show, contributes to aging.

Beta-carotene, best known as a precursor for Vitamin A, is an important antioxidant that helps to prevent harmful free radical damage in the body. Beta-carotene belongs to a group of plant compounds called carotenoids. These are the pigments that provide the yellow, orange, and red colouration in fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene is the most abundant carotenoid in human foods and is thought to be the most important carotenoid for humans. Enzymes in the intestines convert beta-carotene to vitamin A whenever it is needed.

Beta-carotene occurs exclusively in plant (fruit and vegetable) foods. Foods containing high amounts of beta-carotene are green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, peaches, cantaloupe, and green, yellow and red peppers.

Diet with a high intake of beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc is associated with a substantially reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration in elderly persons, according to a study in the December 28 issue of JAMA. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disorder of the macula, the central part of the retina, and is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries, according to background information in the article. Late-stage AMD results in an inability to read, recognize faces, drive, or move freely. The prevalence of late AMD steeply increases with age, affecting 11.5 percent of white persons older than 80 years. In the absence of effective treatment for AMD, the number of patients severely disabled by late-stage AMD is expected to increase in the next 20 years by more than 50 percent to 3 million. One study (called AREDS) showed that supplements containing 5 to 13 times the recommended daily allowance of beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc given to participants with early or single eye late AMD resulted in a 25 percent reduction in the 5-year progression to late AMD.

In recent years, carotenoids including beta-carotene have received a tremendous amount of attention as potential anti-cancer and anti-ageing compounds. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the cells of the body from damage caused by free radicals. It is also one of the carotenoids believed to enhance the function of the immune system.