Beta carotene – the organic compound relating to hydrocarbons and entering into group of carotinoids. In leaves of plants it is formed by photosynthesis. Beta carotene is called still a vegetable pigment as it gives yellow-orange coloring to some vegetables, fruit. Substance is vitamin A pro-vitamin. Also there is a nutritional supplement under the name "beta carotene" (E160a).
What is beta carotene
Beta carotene is very necessary to the person. It is called "a youth elixir", "a longevity source". In an organism it will be transformed to Retinolum (vitamin A) which is strengthening immunity and slowing down age changes. In water substance is not dissolved. Nevertheless it is affected by organic solvent.
Beta carotene nutritional supplement (E160a) - the natural dye which is a part of the following products: carbonated drinks, yogurt, juice, condensed milk, bakery, confectionery, mayonnaise. It is received from vegetable raw materials (carrots, pumpkin).
Sushchstvut beta carotene medicines – the dietary supplements which are not relating to drugs. Let out them in tablets, capsules, solution. Dietary supplements are appointed for the purpose of completion in a deficiency organism of useful substance.
Properties
Baht carotene has the adaptogenny, immunostimulating effect. It is the antioxidant capable to struggle with free radicals. Its valuable property - ensuring protection against oncological diseases. Substance considerably lowers the probability of emergence of new growths. It has also other useful qualities.
- Prevents diseases of vessels, a myocardium due to decrease in level of "bad" cholesterol - lipoproteins of the lowered density.
- Maintains activity of a brain, especially at central nervous system diseases, age changes.
- Improves work of neurons.
- Positively influences a respiratory system, prevents development of pathologies, including bronchitis, asthma, emphysema.
- Reduces the probability of development of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Promotes processes of restoration of integuments in the presence of damages on them.
- Keeps functions of sight, preventing age destruction of eye fabrics.
- Warns pathologies of a musculoskeletal system.
- Provides full development of a fruit in pregnant women.
- It is necessary for nursing mothers the structure of breast milk was optimum for the baby.
At hit in a liver beta carotene is transformed to Retinolum (vitamin A), in turn it turns into retinoyevy acid. Substance stimulates processes of continuous updating of cellular structure, than its positive influence speaks. Unlike vitamin A, beta carotene is better acquired, the gipervitaminoza does not cause.
Sources
Fruit, vegetables of orange-yellow color are rich with beta carotene. The undoubted leader in this plan – carrots. Other natural sources (vegetables, greens):
- pumpkin;
- squash;
- spinach;
- broccoli;
- white cabbage;
- green peas;
- sweet red pepper;
- salad;
- parsley;
- sorrel;
- celery;
- onions feathers.
Good sources of beta carotene are the following fruit and berries:
- nectarines;
- peaches;
- apricots;
- mango;
- dogrose;
- plums;
- melon;
- persimmon;
- sea-buckthorn;
The number of connection in a product changes depending on a grade, a season, a way of storage. At vegetables, fruit of yellow color there is the lowest amount of beta carotene, in bright red – the highest.
It is possible to satisfy the need of an organism for useful substance, using animal products: milk, cottage cheese, butter, liver. However the amount of beta carotene in them is significantly lower.
Synthetic medicines – dietary supplements can become a source. Treat them: Vetoron, Triovit, Betaviton, Solgar, Oksilik, Vitrum, Sinergin. Dietary supplements can be bought without recipe. Before reception of means the consultation of the expert is recommended.
Standard daily rate
The standard daily rate of beta carotene is not identical to various groups of the population. So, women of 19 years a day need 4.5 mg of substance, to men of the same age – 5 mg.
If to consider age group from 9 to 18 years, the norm of beta carotene for girls and girls is 2 mg, for boys and young men - 2.5 mg. Girls at the age of 1-8 years a day need 0.65 mg, to boys of the same age - 0.7 mg.
When beta carotene is recommended
The need for it increases if activity is connected with constant physical activities and if the person does sports. Women during pregnancy, to a lactation need also the increased amount of substance.
Beta carotene is recommended in the following cases:
- diseases of a vessel, heart;
- ulcers in a GIT;
- erosion of mucous;
- decrease in function of sight up to its total loss against the background of deficiency of vitamin A;
- deterioration in growth, development of the child;
- bad condition of skin, teeth, hair, nails;
- loss of weight;
- decrease in immunity;
- frequent infectious diseases;
- diarrhea;
- prevention of oncological diseases.
Appoint dietary supplements with beta carotene according to the indications specified in the instruction. Often they are used at an immunodeficiency, prevention of age changes. Other indications:
- prevention of destruction of mucous membranes;
- impact of small radiation exposure;
- inspection by means of X-ray;
- treatment by the laser;
- poisoning with toxic chemicals.
The dietary supplement containing beta carotene can be included in complex treatment of a photodermatosis, protoporfiriya, an allergy to ultraviolet, phototoxic reactions, vitiligo.
How to improve comprehensibility of beta carotene
It is necessary to consider that in the course of heat treatment nearly 30% of carotene therefore whenever possible it is necessary to eat vegetables, fruit crude are lost. Products are better split if to make from them puree, gruel. Beta carotene zhirorastvory therefore it is recommended to add to a useful dish (for example, to polished carrots) vegetable oil, sour cream.
Nutritionists advise to eat freshly cooked food. It is recommended to make the menu so that two thirds of norm of beta carotene arrived with vegetable products, and a third – with animal products. It is better to store vegetables, fruit at t to 25 wasps, so nutrients in them will remain longer.
It is necessary that the diet contained enough fats, otherwise beta carotene will be acquired incorrectly. For improvement of absorption it is recommended to combine the products rich with substance, with the products containing vitamin E, zinc. In such a way it is possible to prevent oxidation of beta carotene and to intensify its absorption.
Medicinal interactions
Beta carotene worsens effect of medicines which have to reduce cholesterol level. Reduce substance absorption: Orlistat (means for loss of weight), the inhibitors of the proton pump, drugs stimulating release of bilious acids. If to take alcohol during intake of beta carotene, it can cause hepatotoxicity and also reduce ability of its transformation to Retinolum.
Overdose
Beta carotene is not capable to cause gipervitaminoz And, nevertheless at its excessive use the integuments can get a yellowish-orange shade. Process is reversible, it is necessary to stop only intake of dietary supplement and/or to reduce the maintenance of the products rich with karotina in a diet.
The organism independently regulates amount of synthesizable vitamin A. If it is enough, process of transformation of carotene is weakened. The remained substance goes to storage to fatty tissues from where it is released if necessary.
So, beta carotene - a source of vitamin A which it is possible to call safe. At excess of daily requirement he is not capable to call gipervitaminoz A. Odnako on the latest scientific data this statement began to consider fair only for natural sources of substance. Scientists also consider that long intake of dietary supplements with beta carotene increases the probability of emergence in smokers of lung cancer.