Long-term use of
beta carotene helps prevent mental decline, such as dementia.
Beta carotene, for example, seemed very promising in the laboratory, says Gilbert S.
Numerous animal studies have suggested that
beta carotene can defend against tumors and enhance the immune system.
"
Beta carotene is no magic bullet-far from it," says Klausner.
The color comes from a gene not associated with
beta carotene.
Allgood says such results cast doubt on the entire lot of carotenoids, not just
beta carotene. According to Procter & Gamble, "it is not possible to conclude that a reduction in serum carotenoid concentration will present a public health concern."
The new study represents the first long-term comparison of 13-cis-retinoic acid and
beta carotene. The researchers found that premalignant changes progressed in just two of 24 patients (8 percent) assigned to 13-cis-retinoic acid.
The researchers took blood samples from all participants and analyzed the clear, plasma portion for carotene (primarily
beta carotene) and vitamins E and C.
Gaziano presented preliminary evidence of
beta carotene's vessel-protecting prowess in Dallas this week at the American Heart Association's 63rd Scientific Sessions.
minimum daily requirement for the potentially toxic vitamin is 5,000 IU.) A smaller percentage of other betel chewers showed remission with a combination treatment of vitamin A and
beta carotene, or
beta carotene alone.
Arshad et al., "Comparative study of
beta carotene determination by various methods: a review," Bio Bulletin, vol.
To measure the oxidative stress different parameters like mRNA level of Bcl-2, caspase-3 activity in MDCK cells after
beta carotene or beta carotene+AFB1 treatment were checked.