The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
 

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Article #67: Beta-Carotene

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Beta-carotene is a variety of carotenoid, beta-carotene supplements only in
commonly identified by the red, yellow, combination with other carotenoids in a
and orange pigments that color a whole combined complex. You would do well to
host of fruits and vegetables. Once in get a product that offers a combination
the body, beta-carotene gets converted to of beta-carotene with other types of
Vitamin A, an essential vitamin first carotenes, such as lycopene, zeaxanthin,
identified in the 1930s. It is a vitamin lutein, acarelpha-carotene, and
that is very important to help the body cryptoxanthin.
improve itself and grow. As well as the research that found
Beta-carotene works as a powerful booster beta-carotene useful for preventing
of the immune system as well as a potent cancer and heart disease, other recent
antioxidant that battles free radicals. discoveries hold that beta-carotene might
These free radicals are what damage cells be useful in combating chronic fatigue
in human bodies. Therefore, beta-carotene syndrome, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, male
plays a vital and important role in infertility, and Alzheimer's disease. It
helping the body function properly and is also interesting to know that modest
for general health. amounts of antioxidants like
Whenever we eat lots of vegetables and beta-carotene can help in improving
fruits, we are taking in quantities of cataracts, when the eye's lens is clouded
beta-carotene at the same time. These and vision is impaired.
fruits and vegetables are thus our Some initial studies have suggested a
biggest source of beta-carotene. likely connection between not enough
Supplements, however, are also popular beta-carotene, as well as insufficient
with many people, and that's why a Vitamin A and E, with the enhancement of
variety of health food stores sell lupus, an auto-immune disorder.
beta-carotene in that form. However, Since a lot of different products
supplements are not necessarily the right containing beta-carotene are widely
choice in some cases. available today, experts have suggested
On the issue of supplements, it's that insufficient beta-carotene intake is
relevant to note that enthusiasts and related to the fact that there is no RDA
scientists alike have been hoping that for it as of yet. However, an amount of
concentrated forms of beta-carotene could 10,000 IU is enough to provide the RDA
protect the heart and possibly guard for Vitamin A. Thus, it's fairly easy to
against certain types of cancer. understand why having symptoms of
Unfortunately, however, recent studies beta-carotene deficiency, like
indicate that single and large-dose vulnerability to infection, dry skin, and
supplements of beta-carotene can cause night blindness, are similar to a
more harm than good. This is because corresponding deficiency of Vitamin A.
there is the possibility that large doses The best sources for beta-carotene are
of beta-carotene could actually increase definitely fruits and vegetables. You can
free radicals within the body. find many green vegetables that provide a
Thus, until the moment that we know more decent amount of it, and it's the
about beta-carotene's effects, it's dark-colored vegetables and fruits that
probably a good idea to take contain high amounts of this nutrient.






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