Why choose a beta-carotene supplement? Beta-carotene is an important plant pigment that the human body can convert into vitamin A as it needs. It’s a nutrient that supports eye health, immune health, and hair and skin health. Beta-carotene also provides powerful antioxidant protection for the entire body.*
The Origins of Beta-Carotene
Beta carotene is a pigment that’s found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetable plants, giving them their vibrant red, orange and yellow hues. It was first discovered by scientist H. Wackenroder when he crystallized it from carrots in 1831.
Common fruits and vegetables that are high in beta-carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, cantaloupe, red and yellow bell peppers and apricots. Interestingly, some green vegetables also maintain high beta-carotene contents, such as kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas and broccoli. Finally, a handful of commonly used spices can be good sources of beta-carotene as well. These spices include paprika, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, parsley, cilantro, marjoram, sage and coriander.
More on Beta-Carotene
The human body can convert beta-carotene into vitamin A as it needs it. Beta-carotene is not considered an essential nutrient, but because vitamin A is an essential nutrient, beta-carotene is an important component of overall wellness.*
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it is best absorbed by the body in the presence of a dietary fat source. Because beta-carotene has the ability to convert to vitamin A in the human body, it’s best to consume foods that are high in beta-carotene with a healthy source of fat, such as olive oil, avocado oil, nuts or seeds to maximize your body’s absorption of the nutrients.*
Beta-Carotene Health Benefits
Beta-carotene is an important antioxidant, providing protection for the human body against free radicals. These antioxidant properties give beta-carotene its reputation for promoting skin health. It is also believed that people who consume beta-carotene-rich fruits and vegetables regularly enjoy protective benefits for their lung health. One large study even found that the long-term consumption of beta-carotene can help support cognitive function as the human body ages. Generally, consuming enough antioxidants helps you maintain optimal wellness.*
The most touted health benefit of beta-carotene remains its potential impact on eye and vision health. This nutrient is particularly helpful for the eyes as they age.*
Beta-Carotene Supplements
There isn’t an official recommended daily dose of beta-carotene, but the Mayo Clinic suggests that it’s safe to consume 6 to 15 milligrams of beta-carotene per day. That amount of beta-carotene equates to 10,000 to 25,000 units of vitamin A activity. As with any new supplement, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before taking a beta-carotene product. They will factor in things like your dietary lifestyle and existing medications to determine your beta-carotene supplement needs.
Why Swanson Beta-Carotene?
Swanson Beta-Carotene is a quality vitamin supplement for for supporting eye health, immune health, and hair and skin health. It also offers powerful antioxidant protection for the entire body. Providing 7,500 micrograms of vitamin A as beta-carotene in each easy-to-take softgel, it helps fill potential gaps in your daily diet and promote overall wellness as you age.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
