Compound Monograph
β-Carotene
β-Carotene is an orange carotenoid pigment and the most important dietary provitamin A.
Sources · 8
Where Does It Come From?
β-Carotene is a naturally occurring carotenoid (provitamin a), found in Calendula, Carrot, Leafy greens and orange vegetables and 5 other sources. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Principal source Calendula Calendula officinalis Herb monograph → 
Source Amaranth Amaranthus blitum Herb monograph → 
Source Camu-camu Myrciaria dubia Herb monograph → 
Source Cayenne Capsicum annuum Herb monograph → 
Source Stevia Stevia rebaudiana Herb monograph → Concentration
Content by Source
Concentrations not reported. No percent-dry-weight or mg/g figures have been published for this compound in its source plants.
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 colored 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 coloring 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.
