| Many people are confused about the association | | | | Carotene, but some food experts suggest a daily |
| between Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. Vitamin A can | | | | intake of no more than 5-10 mg. The recommended |
| be made in the body by the break down of Beta | | | | Daily Value of Vitamin A is 5000IU's. Be sure not to |
| Carotene into Vitamin A on an as needed basis. | | | | take larger amounts of either over longer periods of |
| Sometimes this is confused and you'll find information | | | | time because it may cause increased risk of cancer |
| stating that Vitamin A is turned into Beta Carotene by | | | | as the vitamin will start to act as pro-oxidant rather |
| the body-this is not so. Beta Carotene is called the | | | | than an antioxidant. Other symptoms of overdose are |
| precursor to Vitamin A, but of course it is possible for | | | | vomiting, joint pain, headaches, skin irritation, |
| the human body to obtain Vitamin A from the natural | | | | gastrointestinal problems and hair loss. |
| and pharmaceutical world. | | | | The benefits of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A are |
| Any animal will store Vitamin A in its liver, so a diet high | | | | essentially the same, as said Vitamin A is a strong |
| in this meat and really, really high, enough to equal | | | | antioxidant snatching up free radicals in the body that |
| about 50,000IU/day of Vitamin A may actually cause | | | | can cause cancer and infections. A regular diet of the |
| an overdose. It is possible for Vitamin A and Beta | | | | vitamin is essential for healthy eyes, immune system, |
| Carotene to turn your skin a yellowish-orange. It's a little | | | | hair, nails, skin and bones. It is used in the fight against |
| harder to do this with Beta Carotene than with Vitamin | | | | aging as an antioxidant and also helps to prevent acne. |
| A because the body flushes it out of the system. If | | | | The vitamin is thought to help in treatment of Crohn's |
| you turn yellow, stop taking either and consult your | | | | disease, diarrhea, heavy menstruation and |
| doctor. Also Vitamin A is available in kidney, egg yolk, | | | | pre-menstrual syndrome. Vitamin A is also used |
| butter and fortified dairy products, codfish oil and | | | | against the H. pylori bacterium which causes peptic |
| yogurt. Beta Carotene is available in yellow and green | | | | ulcers. |
| (leafy) plants such as spinach, carrots, mango, red | | | | Do not take Vitamin A or Beta Carotene without |
| peppers, apricots, and melons. The body can store up | | | | consulting a doctor if you are pregnant (It can cause |
| to two years worth of Vitamin A in the liver. Once the | | | | growth retardation and urinary tract malformations in |
| liver is basically full of the vitamin the body will begin to | | | | the fetus) or nursing. Do not take Vitamin A or Beta |
| flush Beta Carotene that comes in via feces and urine. | | | | Carotene if you are allergic to Vitamin A. |
| There is no recommended daily value for Beta | | | | |