beta carotene

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be·ta car·o·tene

also be·ta-car·o·tene (bā′tə-kăr′ə-tēn′, bē′-)

The isomeric form of carotene that is most widely distributed in nature and is efficiently converted to vitamin A by the body.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

be′ta car′otene

the most abundant of various isomers of carotene, C₄₀H₅₆, that can be converted by the body to vitamin A.

be·ta carotene

(bā′tə)

A form of carotene widely found in plants and animals. Beta carotene is most efficiently converted to vitamin A in the liver.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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In this study, Harvard researchers followed more than 4,000 men who were given either 50 mg of beta carotene every other day or a placebo pill.

Long-term beta carotene keeps mind sharp

Three new tomato breeding lines from ARS hold 10 to 25 times more beta carotene than typical tomatoes.

With New Tomatoes, More Is Beta (Carotene)

In one study, researchers examined how vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids such as beta carotene collaborate to get rid of free radicals, whose harmful effects arise from their readiness to grab an electron from another molecule.

How antioxidants defend cells

"Antioxidant nutrients such as Beta Carotene and Vitamins C and E help protect against harmful cell damage," claimed an ad by vitamin giant Hoffmann-LaRoche.

Beyond beta-carotene

That's because these are among the richest sources of beta carotene, a nutrient believed to protect against cancer and cataracts.

What's up, doc? Beta carotene

government has sobering news for devotees of beta carotene. The dietary supplement doesn't prevent heart disease or cancer, and it may even increase a smoker's risk of lung cancer.

Beta carotene prove 'no magic bullet.' (National Cancer Institute research indicates that beta carotene provides no protection against heart disease or cancer)(Science News of the Week)(Brief Article)

They contain an average of 58 milligrams per gram of fresh weight of beta carotene compared to about 1.5 milligrams per gram in normal tomatoes.

Eat an orange tomato; for Vitamin A

The most recent studies on a particular carotenoid, beta carotene, taken in supplement form, did not report such protection (see p.

Olestra: too good to be true; researchers flush out health risks of fake fat

Rothman explains that beta carotene must be converted into vitamin A in the body and that "the body regulates the amount of beta carotene it converts."

Excess vitamin A causes birth defects

The three treatment groups received either beta carotene alone, vitamins C and E, or beta carotene plus vitamins C and E.

Antioxidant vitamins fail to prevent polyps

The vitamin combos included the vitamin A precursor known as beta carotene, two B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, or other nutrients thought to provide a shield against cancer.

Vitamin pills reduce cancer risk in China

Then the researchers randomly assigned the study participants to nine months of maintenance therapy with either a low dose of 13-cis-retinoic acid or beta carotene, a natural vitamin A precursor found in many orange fruits and vegetables.