Beta Carotene

An easy memory association that will help you in understanding something about beta carotene is to see the word ‘carrot’ as being part of the word. We associate this substance with carrots, because it is a part of a group of chemicals known ‘carotenoids,’ which are simply pigments. When you see dark, green leafy vegetables or the orange hues of carrots, you are seeing the work of this substance, responsible for the high concentrations of pigmentation in plants. The benefit beta carotene offers is clear: richer colors in vegetables mean a richer store of vitamins for you.

Beta carotene is known as a ‘pro-vitamin,’ which is a precursor to vitamins. Rather than being a vitamin itself, it converts to significant amounts Vitamin A when absorbed in the human bloodstream. Another benefit beta carotene provides is that it’s an antioxidant, a powerful substance that is used to fight the effect of the free radicals in the bloodstream. Free radicals are those rogue molecules that oxidize the blood in the same way the rust corrodes metal, and they are especially dangerous for your heart’s arteries.

As an antioxidant, beta carotene has been shown to have a powerful potency. For example, one study conducted by Harvard University showed that supplementing with 50 mg of the substance per day reduced the risks of heart attacks and strokes by 50%. Some other studies seem to suggest that beta carotene natural may be more effective than the substance in its synthetic form. The synthetic version has only one molecule, whereas the natural version has an additional molecule as well. Apparently the addition of the latter extra molecule makes the dosage much more potent in fighting off free radicals than the synthetic version of the product.

However, some argue that these studies are inconclusive and other researchers have asserted that there is no solid difference between the benefit beta carotene offers in its synthetic form compare to that of beta carotene natural. As always, if you have the chance to choose the natural version of any vitamin supplement, it is recommended that you do so regardless. The natural versions are more ‘bio-available,’ which means that they are more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Regardless of how you take your beta carotene, be sure to take it daily. You should also be sure to buy only from those companies that are certified as ‘GMP compliant,’ which have become the de facto standard to ensure the most exacting and rigorous scientific methods have been used in the manufacturing process.

© 2008 Copyright GiantDrug.com All Rights Reserved