Compound Monograph
β-Carotene
β-Carotene is an orange carotenoid pigment and the most important dietary provitamin A.
Classification
β-Carotene is a carotenoid (provitamin a), part of the terpenoids class. The largest class of plant compounds, built from five-carbon isoprene units — the essential-oil aromatics, resins, bitter principles, saponins, and plant sterols.
Where Does It Come From? (7)
β-Carotene is a naturally occurring carotenoid (provitamin a), found in Calendula, Carrot, Leafy greens and orange vegetables and 4 other sources. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
β-Carotene is the most abundant and best-known of the carotenoids, an orange pigment found in carrots, leafy greens and many brightly coloured plants such as calendula. It is the principal dietary provitamin A: the body can cleave it to retinol, making it an important source of vitamin A activity. It also acts as an antioxidant pigment, and it is widely used as a natural food colouring and dietary supplement.
Toxicity & Safety
Dietary β-carotene is well tolerated, and excess intake from food typically causes only a harmless orange tint to the skin (carotenemia) rather than vitamin A toxicity. However, high-dose β-carotene supplements have been associated with increased lung cancer risk in smokers in large trials, so concentrated supplementation is not advisable for that group.