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General description	Fat soluble non-essential vitamin A precursor
Found	- yellow fruit - yellow and leafy vegetables - carrots, spinach - sweet potato - yams - apricots - spirulina, alfaalfa - wheat grass
Anti-aging role	- free - radical fighter - protect against damage caused by UV rays - enhance the immune system
Deficiency symptoms	It is not possible to develop true beta-carotene deficiency. However alcohol consumption decrease beta - carotene in liver. People with hypothyroidism and diabetes may have trouble converting beta - carotene in vitamin A.
Therapeutic doses	20 000 - 50 000 IU. (12 000 - 30 000 mcg) No RDA has been established. Non toxic. Natural beta-carotene: retinol = 12:1 Synthetic beta-carotene: retinol = 6:1
Maximum safe level	Not established.
Side effects	- syntethic beta - carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. - 60mg/day short-term and 30 g/day long-term may cause yellow skin color.
Contraindications	- liver disease - kidney disease
Interactions	- cholestiramine - colestipol - mineral oil - vitamin E - neomycin
Composition formulas	- usually by itself or in combination with other carotens or vitamins and minerals

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