BETA-CAROTENE Beta-carotene is a member of the carotenoid family and has over 500 relatives. Carotenoids are yellow-to-red pigments found in all green plant tissues and in some species of algae. So far 21 different carotenoids have been found in human blood. The most abundant ones are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin. A molecule of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, or cryptoxanthin can be split into two molecules of vitamin A in the body but the conversion of beta-carotene …
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…lot of diseases. It's almost like a natural life-saver. Now I understand why my parents are always telling me to 'eat my vegetables, they are good for you.' SOURCES 1. 'Beta-Carotene: A Nugget of Nutritional Gold.', Marilyn Carnell, Ph.D., R.D Better Homes and Gardens, October 1992: 64-66. 2. 'Beta No More', Christine Gorman. Time Magazine, Jan. 29, 1996: pg. 66. 3. Peto , R, et al. Can dietary beta-carotene materially reduce human cancer rates? Nature, Vol. 290, March 19, 1981, pp. 201-208.