Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A · Carotenoid Antioxidant · Immune Support)

CAS No.	7235-40-7
Class	Carotenoid · Carotene · Provitamin A · Tetraterpene
Source	Daucus carota (Carrot) — root (2% grade); Dunaliella salina (microalgae) — whole cell (30% grade, natural mixed carotenoids)
Claim strength	High
Buy from Herbuno	Beta-Carotene 2% — Carrot Root → · Beta-Carotene 30% — Dunaliella salina →

Beta-carotene was first isolated from carrots in 1831 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ferdinand Wackenroder. It is the most biologically significant provitamin A carotenoid — cleaved by the enzyme beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase to yield two molecules of retinol (Vitamin A). The conversion is regulated by the body's Vitamin A status, providing a natural safety margin against Vitamin A toxicity that preformed retinol does not offer. Commercial algal beta-carotene from Dunaliella salina provides a natural alternative containing mixed natural carotenoids including both all-trans and 9-cis beta-carotene isomers.

---

Beta-Carotene for Immune Function, Skin Health & Antioxidant Protection — Evidence

Provitamin A — immune function: Vitamin A derived from beta-carotene is essential for maintenance of mucosal epithelial barriers, normal T-cell function, and NK cell activity. Claim strength: High.

Skin health and photoprotection: Beta-carotene accumulates in the skin and provides measurable UV photoprotection. Multiple studies document reduced UV-induced erythema with supplementation at 15–30mg per day. Claim strength: Moderate.

Antioxidant activity: Beta-carotene is a chain-breaking antioxidant in lipid phases. Critical safety note: High-dose supplementation (>20mg per day) in smokers has shown increased lung cancer risk in clinical trials (ATBC, CARET). Mandatory precautionary label copy required for all markets. Claim strength: High (physiological intake); safety qualification required at high dose in smokers.

AREDS2 note: Beta-carotene was replaced by lutein/zeaxanthin in the AREDS2 AMD formulation after finding it increased lung cancer risk in current and former smokers. Do not position beta-carotene as a macular health ingredient.

---

Beta-Carotene Dosage, Grade Selection & Critical Safety Note

Clinically referenced dose: 6–15mg per day for general antioxidant and skin health applications. Mandatory label precaution: avoid doses above 20mg per day in current or former smokers.

2% carrot extract vs 30% Dunaliella extract: The 2% carrot grade provides beta-carotene alongside other naturally occurring carotenoids. The 30% Dunaliella grade provides natural mixed carotenoids including all-trans and 9-cis beta-carotene isomers — the 9-cis isomer is absent from synthetic all-trans beta-carotene.

Pairs with: Lutein and zeaxanthin (for eye health applications — use lutein/zeaxanthin, not beta-carotene), lycopene (complementary antioxidant carotenoid stack), Vitamin E (lipid-phase antioxidant combination).

---

Frequently Asked Questions — Beta-Carotene

Why was beta-carotene removed from the AREDS2 eye health formula?
Beta-carotene increased lung cancer risk in current and former smokers — a significant proportion of the AMD patient population. Lutein and zeaxanthin, which directly accumulate in the macula, replaced it for both safety and functional specificity reasons.

Is natural beta-carotene from Dunaliella safer than synthetic?
Natural Dunaliella beta-carotene contains mixed all-trans and 9-cis isomers similar to food. Standard smoker precautionary labelling applies to all forms at doses above 6mg per day.

What is the difference between beta-carotene and preformed Vitamin A?
Preformed retinol is directly absorbed and can accumulate to toxic levels. Beta-carotene conversion to retinol is regulated by Vitamin A status — providing a natural safety ceiling. Beta-carotene is generally preferred over preformed retinol for pregnancy-safe Vitamin A supplementation.

What is carotenodermia and is it harmful?
Yellow-orange skin discolouration from very high carotenoid intake. Completely harmless and reversible. Distinguished from jaundice by absence of sclera yellowing. Unlikely at typical supplement doses of 6–15mg per day.

---

Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human studies; Moderate = a few trials; Emerging = early lab data.

← Back to Active Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery