Is beta-carotene an essential nutrient?
Micellized sources of the carotenoid allow for more-efficient absorption and uptake Beta-carotene (à -carotene) is one of many carotenoids found in nature. In the human nutrition field, evidence suggests that higher blood levels of à -carotene, as well as other carotenoids such as alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeax-anthin and à -cryptoxanthin might be associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases, à -carotene, alpha-carotene and à -cryptoxanthin have provitamin A activity, while the other carotenoids have no pro-vitamin A activity (DRI, 2000). Earlier publications on nutrient …
