What is provitamin A or beta carotene?
Provitamin A is a nontoxic form of vitamin A, also known as the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A from animal sources (fish oils) is a retinoid, whereas provitamin A is from plant sources and is a carotenoid. Provitamin A is most commonly known as beta carotene, but alpha and gamma carotene are also sold as provitamin A. Studies have shown that people with lots of beta-carotene rich fruits and vegetables in their diets got less cancer and heart disease. Beta carotene is an antioxidant. It also neutralizes free radical reactions in the body. Considerable research is directed at the relationship between both vitamin A and carotenes and the incidence of epithelial cancer, i.e. cancer of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, genito-urinary tract and skin. Carotenes are plant pigments which protect the plant cell from being destroyed during the process of photosynthesis by acting as potent antioxidants. About 30 of the 400 or so carotenes so far characterised are able to be converted into vita
