{"id":933,"date":"2019-05-15T10:56:36","date_gmt":"2019-05-15T10:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/?page_id=933"},"modified":"2024-07-16T10:33:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T10:33:29","slug":"beta-carotenes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/beta-carotenes\/","title":{"rendered":"Beta-carotenes, what are they, what are they used for, benefits, and how to take them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Betacarotenes<\/strong> are pigments that serve to give color to food, they have uses as coloring, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/natural-dietary-antioxidants\/\"><strong>antioxidants<\/strong><\/a>, and as a source of provitamin A, which is enormously beneficial for its properties.<\/p><aside class=\"adsini\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle fl-inicio-articulo\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9582652217436894\" data-ad-slot=\"8447102556\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/aside>\n<p><em>Beta-carotenes<\/em> are classified within the carotenoid family, which in turn contains two identified subgroups as carotenes and xanthophylls.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u03b2-carotene<\/em> belongs to the carotenoids since its chemical structure does not contain oxygen. In contrast, xanthophylls do.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What-are-betacarotenes\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What are betacarotenes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What-are-they-for\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> What are they for<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Skin\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> Skin<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Tanning\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> Tanning<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Photosensitivity\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.3<\/span> Photosensitivity<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Macular-degeneration\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.4<\/span> Macular degeneration<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Cancer\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.5<\/span> Cancer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Pregnancy\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.6<\/span> Pregnancy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Coloring\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.7<\/span> Coloring<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Benefits\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Benefits<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Side-effects\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Side effects<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Contraindications\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> Contraindications<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Foods\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">6<\/span> Foods<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Which-Foods-Contain-More-Beta-Carotenes\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">6.1<\/span> Which Foods Contain More Beta-Carotenes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Are-Beta-Carotenes-Antioxidants\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">7<\/span> Are Beta-Carotenes Antioxidants?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-to-Take-Beta-Carotene\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">8<\/span> How to Take Beta-Carotene<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Dosage\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">9<\/span> Dosage<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Absorption\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">10<\/span> Absorption<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#References\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">11<\/span> References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"What-are-betacarotenes\">What are betacarotenes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1282 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-what-they-are.jpg\" alt=\"What are beta carotenes and what are they for?\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-what-they-are.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-what-they-are-336x144.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><br \/>\nThey are a type of natural pigment present in plants. <strong>Betacarotenes are converted into vitamin A<\/strong> when humans consume them. Their color is red, orange, and yellow, also considered as provitamin A. They are precursors of it, meaning that they convert into this vitamin when they reach the small intestine and the liver.<\/p>\n<p>Beta-carotenes are an inactive form of vitamin A. The human body converts them into their active form, at which point they become vitamin A, which is the same as retinol, and from this transformation or synthesis, it provides all its properties and health benefits.<\/p>\n<p>In nature, <strong>betacarotenes are found in plants, vegetables, and fruits<\/strong>, also classified as carotenes and terpenoids or isoprenoids.<\/p>\n<p>They are derived from isoprene and their synthesis is from <a href=\"https:\/\/es.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pirofosfato_de_geranilgeranilo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Often referred to as <em>Betacarotene<\/em>, <em>beta-carotenes<\/em>, or <em>\u03b2-carotene<\/em> are the <strong>most common type of carotene in plants<\/strong>, so it is really easy to obtain them through plant extracts, supplements, or through food.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, they can also be purchased as betacarotene coloring, having the code <strong>E160a<\/strong> to identify them as food additives.<\/p>\n<p>The chemical form and structure of Betacarotene were discovered in 1930 by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Paul_Karrer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Karrer et al<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What-are-they-for\">What are they for<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As they have <strong>potent antioxidant effects<\/strong>, beta-carotenes serve to inhibit the damage of free radicals, preserving the integrity of cellular DNA.<br \/>\nThus, we can say that they play a very important role in the human body, providing medicinal properties and benefits to living beings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Below, we indicate what beta-carotenes are used for:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preventing skin aging.<\/li>\n<li>Preserving cardiovascular function.<\/li>\n<li>Regulating blood pressure.<\/li>\n<li>Preventing inflammation.<\/li>\n<li>Preventing the formation of tumors and certain types of cancer.<\/li>\n<li>Reducing aging of the ocular system:\n<ul>\n<li>Senile macular degeneration (SMD).<\/li>\n<li>Glaucoma.<\/li>\n<li>Presbyopia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>They work as a treatment for:\n<ul>\n<li>Treating osteoarthritis.<\/li>\n<li>Rheumatoid arthritis.<\/li>\n<li>Chronic fatigue.<\/li>\n<li>Against skin aging.<\/li>\n<li>Bacterial infections (Helicobacter pylori, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Parkinson&#8217;s disease.<\/li>\n<li>Psoriasis, vitiligo, and skin disorders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Reducing symptoms of respiratory tract infections (asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).<\/li>\n<li>Increasing memory.<\/li>\n<li>Improving the functioning of the muscular system.<\/li>\n<li>Reducing the side effects of drugs and chemotherapy treatments.<\/li>\n<li>Preventing cases of night blindness during pregnancy.<\/li>\n<li>Postpartum diarrhea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Skin\">Skin<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Betacarotenes for the skin<\/strong> are very beneficial for increasing vitamin A levels, a nutrient considered essential for promoting epidermal regeneration, preventing the formation of wrinkles, and improving firmness, elasticity, and softness.<br \/>\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1283 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-for-the-skin.jpg\" alt=\"Beta carotenes for the skin\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-for-the-skin.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-for-the-skin-336x144.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><br \/>\nThey also promote skin healing, reducing the time wounds last and allowing scar tissue to form properly, without producing folds, and ensuring that collagen fibrous tissue is smooth and soft.<\/p>\n<p>They improve the skin&#8217;s response when exposed to sunlight. Beta-carotenes for the skin likely reduce sunburn, although this beneficial effect or property is not fully proven.<\/p>\n<p>Many sunscreens include beta-carotenes to improve skin tone, simulating a better tan that occurs, primarily, due to the pigment&#8217;s action by dyeing part of the epidermal tissue.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Tanning\">Tanning<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many cosmetics and skincare products include them, with <strong>betacarotenes for tanning<\/strong> being very important.<br \/>\nThis use is indicated to achieve a quick tan because, as natural pigments, they improve the tone of the outermost layer of the skin.<\/p>\n<p>However, when using them, caution must be taken with exposure to sunlight because, although in theory they could protect against UVA radiation, in practice their effects are very limited, increasing the risk of sunburn.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tanning with beta-carotenes produces a more golden tone<\/strong>, reducing the time you need to sunbathe to achieve tanned skin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is recommended<\/strong> to always use them with sunscreen to avoid side effects.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Photosensitivity\">Photosensitivity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is estimated that taking beta-carotenes to eliminate sensitivity to sunlight or photosensitivity works very well. This condition is inherited genetically, receiving the name <em>Erythropoietic Protoporphyria<\/em>.<br \/>\nRegular consumption of beta-carotene from food or for a period from supplements can alleviate the symptoms.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Macular-degeneration\">Macular degeneration<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Together with some antioxidants of the xanthophyll class, <strong>beta-carotenes protect us from age-related vision deterioration<\/strong>, preventing many cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).<br \/>\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1284 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/macular-degeneration-carotenoids.jpg\" alt=\"Uses of beta carotenes for macular degeneration\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/macular-degeneration-carotenoids.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/macular-degeneration-carotenoids-336x144.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>Taking lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene<\/strong> along with other types of beta-carotenes can make the blood vessels in the macula more robust and resistant, keeping this part of the eye young for longer.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Cancer\">Cancer<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although there are many related studies, it is difficult to assure that beta-carotenes and cancer are functional, meaning that their intake prevents the formation of cancer cells.<br \/>\nWhat is clear is that these types of plant chemical compounds inhibit damage from free radicals and, these, can modify the structure of cellular DNA.<\/p>\n<p><strong>By protecting the DNA of cells, we avoid a certain percentage of cancer risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In any case, what is proven is that consuming several pieces of fruit and a portion of vegetables every day reduces the likelihood of developing tumors, more than enough reason to include these types of foods in the diet.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Pregnancy\">Pregnancy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A daily dose of beta-carotenes <strong>decreases the risk of postpartum diarrhea and fever in pregnant women<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1285 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-pregnancy.jpg\" alt=\"Beta carotenes and pregnancy, are they good?\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-pregnancy.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenos-pregnancy-336x144.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><br \/>\nLikewise, it also reduces the risk of diseases in pregnant women, such as pregnancy night blindness and malnutrition.<\/p>\n<p>During the gestation period, it is always recommended to have a varied diet rich in antioxidants, carotenoids, and carotenes.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Coloring\">Coloring<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Code:<\/strong> E-160.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Beta carotene as a coloring agent is orange-yellow<\/strong>. It is usually used in powder form as it is soluble in both water and fat. It is considered a hydrophobic antioxidant, soluble in fats but not in water, meaning it is insoluble in water (H<sub>2<\/sub>O).<br \/>\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1286 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/beta-carotene-dye.jpg\" alt=\"Beta carotene dye E-160\" width=\"336\" height=\"280\" \/><br \/>\nDepending on its chemical composition, it is also possible to purchase it with another structure, being able to dissolve it in water and fats.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The applications and uses of beta-carotene coloring are:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bakery.<\/li>\n<li>Ice cream production.<\/li>\n<li>Manufacture of margarine, jam, and confectionery.<\/li>\n<li>Production of sweets, gummy candies, chewing gum, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Carbonated beverages, soft drinks, and other liquids for human consumption.<\/li>\n<li>Dairy products.<\/li>\n<li>Drug production.<\/li>\n<li>Improving the color of eggs, chicken meat, poultry, and fish such as salmon, trout, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this purpose, beta-carotenes obtained from carrots, seaweed, and the oil palm tree (<em>Elaeis guineensis<\/em>) are usually employed.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Benefits\">Benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While they possess many properties, we should always focus on the <strong>demonstrated benefits of beta-carotenes<\/strong>.<br \/>\nIn this regard, we can say that they play a very important role in human nutrition, being the main source of vitamin A.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Beta-carotenes in the human body are converted into vitamin A<\/strong>, an essential nutrient with antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, the properties of beta-carotenes and their benefits for the skin are numerous, acting as a protector that slows down premature aging.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Side-effects\">Side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1287 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-side-effects.jpg\" alt=\"Side effects of beta carotenes\" width=\"336\" height=\"280\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carotenemia.<\/li>\n<li>Gastrointestinal discomfort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When taken at a <strong>high dose for several weeks<\/strong>, changes in skin color may be noticed. Carotenemia is a skin disorder caused by an overdose of carotenes. To <strong>eliminate these beta-carotene side effects<\/strong>, simply stop taking them, and they will disappear on their own.<br \/>\nStomach discomfort may occur due to intolerance to one of its components, especially when capsules or pills are used. When taken from food, it is very rare for them to produce any type of adverse, allergic, or any other reaction. However, some people may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, so their administration should be stopped in such cases.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Contraindications\">Contraindications<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Angioplasty.<\/li>\n<li>Pregnancy.<\/li>\n<li>Lactation.<\/li>\n<li>Continuous contact with asbestos.<\/li>\n<li>Smoking.<\/li>\n<li>Treatment for lowering cholesterol such as statins, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Alcohol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are a woman and pregnant, always consult the use of <strong>beta-carotene capsules during pregnancy<\/strong> and <strong>lactation<\/strong>. Although consumption <em>through food is recommended<\/em>, including a dietary supplement will result in high doses, so caution is advisable and it is always recommended to consult before starting to use them.<br \/>\nIn cases of <strong>angioplasty<\/strong>, it could delay recovery time and hinder the endovascular procedure to widen the artery or vein.<\/p>\n<p>There is some concern about side effects in <strong>smokers<\/strong>, which is why being a cigarette smoker is included among the contraindications for beta-carotenes. It is not entirely clear if it can increase the risk of certain types of cancers.<\/p>\n<p>Beta-carotenes can interact with <strong>statins<\/strong>, medications administered to reduce LDL cholesterol. It is recommended not to take vitamin C, E, selenium, and carotenes together with statins, as well as drugs involved in cholesterol treatment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vitamin B3<\/strong> or niacin may be absorbed in lesser amounts when taken simultaneously.<\/p>\n<p>Another contraindication for beta-carotenes is alcohol consumption. The reason is that this substance decreases their effects, promoting an increase in retinol effects, something that could be contraindicated in certain individuals.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Foods\">Foods<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Food<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Amount of beta-carotenes per 100 g of product<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Carrots<\/td>\n<td>8332 \u03bcg (micrograms)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Spinach<\/td>\n<td>6288 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Lettuce<\/td>\n<td>5226 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sweet potatoes<\/td>\n<td>5219 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pumpkin<\/td>\n<td>2022 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Red peppers<\/td>\n<td>1525 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Apricots<\/td>\n<td>1094 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Peas<\/td>\n<td>760 \u03bcg.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The wonder of this type of plant chemical compound is that it is widely spread in plants. We can say that all plant species contain some proportion of beta-carotenes, making their presence enormous worldwide.<br \/>\nHowever, <strong>what&#8217;s interesting<\/strong> about this is that within beta-carotenes we can choose among different types, obtaining the most interesting ones for health due to their antioxidant effects, as well as their conversion into vitamin A or retinol.<\/p>\n<p>Other <strong>foods rich in beta-carotenes<\/strong> are crude palm oil, melon, mango, papaya, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. But as we say, most foods contain them.<\/p>\n<p>To identify foods with higher amounts of beta-carotenes, we can <strong>look at the pulp<\/strong>, which is generally orange.<\/p>\n<p>However, some foods that contain it have a different color because chlorophyll masks its hue, going unnoticed in <strong>dark green leafy vegetables<\/strong> such as spinach, chard, and kale to name a few.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Which-Foods-Contain-More-Beta-Carotenes\">Which Foods Contain More Beta-Carotenes<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Crude palm oil.<\/li>\n<li>Vietnamese gac (<em>Momordica cochinchinensis<\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>Carrots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although carrots have a high content of carotenoids, crude palm oil and Vietnamese gac are much better as they contain nearly <strong>10 times more than carrots<\/strong>. Therefore, we can say that <strong>they are the foods that contain the highest amount of beta-carotenes<\/strong>.<br \/>\nHowever, it is worth noting that if processed palm oil is purchased, it will have lost most of its \u03b2-carotenes since, during processing, its color is altered to improve its appearance, thereby eliminating its color and, consequently, all the antioxidant potential that this chemical compound produces.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Are-Beta-Carotenes-Antioxidants\">Are Beta-Carotenes Antioxidants?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes. They are considered some of the best antioxidants you can take along with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/\"><strong>flavonoids<\/strong><\/a>. <strong>Beta-carotenes are antioxidants<\/strong> and neutralize free radicals, tiny reactive oxygen molecules that damage body tissues.<br \/>\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1288 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-antioxidants.jpg\" alt=\"Betacarotenes and antioxidants\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-antioxidants.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.flavonoides.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/betacarotenes-antioxidants-336x144.jpg 336w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><br \/>\nFree radicals oxidize lipids in a chemical reaction called oxidation. This process is considered to damage the DNA of cells, lipids, and proteins, deteriorating genetic material, as well as aging the cellular tissues that compose the body.<\/p>\n<p>Hence the importance of beta-carotenes and antioxidants. They help us delay skin and overall body aging. Without them, the body would undergo a continuous process of degradation and repair, leading to age-related diseases.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How-to-Take-Beta-Carotene\">How to Take Beta-Carotene<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are two basic ways to ingest them, with the most common being through natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.<br \/>\nHowever, the use of carotenoids is widespread, and supplements can be purchased to reinforce the recommended daily intake.<\/p>\n<p>If you still don&#8217;t know <strong>how to take beta-carotene<\/strong>, here are the <em>appropriate ways<\/em>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>From 7.5 to 30 mg per day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For general use, a daily dose has not been established, and this is a reference dose.<br \/>\nHowever, there is a <strong>recommended amount of vitamin A<\/strong>, which is 1 milligram per day for men and 0.8 milligrams for women.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>equivalence between Beta-Carotene and vitamin A<\/strong> is as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Men:<\/strong> 6 mg.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Women:<\/strong> 4.8 mg.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you want to obtain the dose from fruit, you should eat 5 servings a day, exactly the same servings if you want to obtain it from vegetables.<br \/>\nHowever, although we have stated that the dose has not been established for general use, there are recommended amounts for certain situations and disorders, so we indicate them below.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Dosage\">Dosage<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Erythropoietic Protoporphyria<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adults<\/strong>: 180 mg\/day initially, then 300 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Children<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1 to 4 years<\/strong>: 60 to 90 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5 to 8 years<\/strong>: 90 to 120 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>9 to 12 years<\/strong>: 120 to 150 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>13 to 16 years<\/strong>: 150 to 180 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adolescents over 16 years<\/strong>: 180 mg with a maximum of 300 milligrams per day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Senile Macular Degeneration<\/strong>: 15 mg + 500 mg vitamin C + 400 IU vitamin E. Optional to add 80 mg zinc oxide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pregnancy<\/strong>: 42 mg\/day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Absorption\">Absorption<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The absorption of beta-carotenes in humans occurs <strong>in the duodenum<\/strong>, part of the small intestine that also has the function of absorbing vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol.<\/p>\n<p>This assimilation in the human body is thanks to the scavenger receptor class B (SR-B1), which is involved, as indicated, in the metabolism of beta-carotenes and carotenoids.<\/p>\n<p>The absorption percentage is considered to range between 9% and 22%, <strong>a percentage that may vary depending on the type of ingested beta-carotene<\/strong>. Remember that there are many pigments or secondary metabolites of plants that form this group of plant chemical compounds.<\/p>\n<p>If, in addition to changing beta-carotene, its state is modified, cooked, fried, taken raw, or from a supplement with capsules or pills, there will also be a modification in the amounts absorbed by the body.<\/p>\n<p>It is also important to indicate that, at the same time that nutritional values change when taken, if ingested with fats, oils, and other nutrients, its medicinal properties will be greater or lesser.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, <strong>it is considered that 50% of vitamin A intake is from beta-carotene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span id=\"References\">References<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul class=\"boxrefer\">\n<li>Haynes, William M., ed. (2011). \u00ab<em>CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics<\/em>\u00bb (92nd ed.). CRC Press. p.<\/li>\n<li>\u00abSciFinder \u2013 CAS Registry Number 7235-40-7\u00bb. Retrieved Oct 21, 2009.<\/li>\n<li>Sigma-Aldrich Co., \u03b2-Carotene..<\/li>\n<li>Milne, George W. A. (2005). \u00ab<em>Gardner&#8217;s commercially important chemicals: synonyms, trade names, and properties<\/em>\u00ab. New York: Wiley-Interscience.<\/li>\n<li>Karrer, P.; Helfenstein, A.; Wehrli, H.; Wettstein, A. (1930). \u00ab<em>Pflanzenfarbstoffe XXV. \u00dcber die Konstitution des Lycopins und Carotins<\/em>\u00ab. Helvetica Chimica Acta 13.<\/li>\n<li>Van Arnum, Susan D. (1998), \u00ab<em>Vitamin A<\/em>\u00ab, Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (45), New York: John Wiley.<\/li>\n<li>Mercadante, A.Z.; Steck, A.; Pfander, H. (1999). \u00ab<em>Carotenoids from Guava (Psidium guajava L.): Isolation and Structure Elucidation<\/em>\u00ab. J. Agric. Food Chem. 47.<\/li>\n<li>Conversion of \u03b2-carotene to retinal pigment 75. 2007. pp. 117-30.<\/li>\n<li>van Bennekum, A; Werder, Moritz; Thuahnai, Stephen T.; Han, Chang-Hoon; Duong, Phu; Williams, David L.; Wettstein, Philipp; Schulthess, Georg et al. (2005). \u00ab<em>Class B scavenger receptor-mediated intestinal absorption of dietary \u03b2-carotene and cholesterol<\/em>\u00ab. Biochemistry 44 (11).<\/li>\n<li>Tanumihardjo, SA (2002). \u00ab<em>Factors influencing the conversion of carotenoids to retinol: bioavailability to bioconversion to bioefficacy<\/em>\u00ab. Int J Vit Nutr Res 72.<\/li>\n<li>Lakshman, MR (2004). \u00ab<em>Alpha and omega of carotenoid cleavage<\/em>\u00ab. J. Nutr. 134 (2): 241S-245S. PMID 14704327. doi:10.1093\/jn\/134.1.241S.<\/li>\n<li>Kiefer, C.; Hessel, S.; Lampert, S.M.; Vogt, K.; Lederer, M.O.; Breithaupt, D.E.; von Lintig, J. (2001). \u00ab<em>Identification and Characterization of a Mammalian Enzyme Catalyzing the Asymmetric Oxidative Cleavage of Provitamin A<\/em>\u00ab. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 276 (17).<\/li>\n<li>Russel, R.M. (2002). \u00ab<em>Beta-carotene and lung cancer<\/em>\u00ab. Pure Appl. Chem. 74.<\/li>\n<li>Hurst, J. S.; Saini, M. K.; Jin, G. F.; Awasthi, Y. C.; Van Kuijk, F. J. G. M. (2005). \u00ab<em>Toxicity of oxidized \u03b2-carotene to cultured human cells<\/em>\u00ab. Experimental Eye Research 81.<\/li>\n<li>Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients (2001). \u00ab<em>Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium and Zinc<\/em>\u00ab. National Academy Press.<\/li>\n<li>Zhang, LR; Sawka, AM; Adams, L; Hatfield, N; Hung, RJ (Mar 2013). \u00ab<em>Vitamin and mineral supplements and thyroid cancer: a systematic review<\/em>\u00ab. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 22.<\/li>\n<li>Food and Agriculture Organization\/World Health Organization (1967). Requirement of Vitamin A, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Niacin. Rome.<\/li>\n<li>Mustapa, A.N.; Manan, Z.A.; Mohd Azizi, C.Y.; Setianto, W.B.; Mohd Omar, A.K. (2011). \u00ab<em>Extraction of \u03b2-carotenes from palm oil mesocarp using sub-critical R134a<\/em>\u00ab. Food Chemistry.<\/li>\n<li>\u00ab<em>Intake of the major carotenoids and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies<\/em>\u00ab. Int J Cancer 119 (9): 2148-54. 2006.<\/li>\n<li>\u00ab<em>USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21<\/em>\u00ab.<\/li>\n<li>Stahl W; Heinrich U; Jungmann H (1998). \u00ab<em>Increased Dermal Carotenoid Levels Assessed by Noninvasive Reflection Spectrophotometry Correlate with Serum Levels in Women Ingesting Betatene<\/em>\u00ab. Journal of Nutrition 128 (5).<\/li>\n<li>University of Maryland Medical Center. \u00ab<em>Possible Interactions with Beta-Carotene<\/em>\u00ab.<\/li>\n<li>Meschino Health. \u00ab<em>Comprehensive Guide to Beta-Carotene<\/em>\u00ab.<\/li>\n<li>Leo, M. A.; Lieber, C. S. (1999). \u00ab<em>Alcohol, vitamin A, and beta-carotene: Adverse interactions, including hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity<\/em>\u00ab. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 69.<\/li>\n<li>\u00ab<em>Routine Antioxidant vitamin supplementation for preventing and slowing the progression of age-related cataract<\/em>\u00ab. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 6.<\/li>\n<li>Am. J. Clin. Nutr. \u00ab<em>Association of blood antioxidants and vitamins with risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis of observational studies<\/em>\u00ab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Betacarotenes are pigments that serve to give color to food, they have uses as coloring, as antioxidants, and as a source of provitamin A, which is enormously beneficial for its properties. Beta-carotenes are classified&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Beta-Carotenes: What Are They, What Are They Used For, Benefits, and How to Take Them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Beta-carotenes are plant chemical compounds. The foods, their benefits, side effects, and contraindications. 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