Toxicity. Beta-carotene doesn’t seem to be toxic in large doses. But high doses over a long time can lead to carotenemia. This causes your skin to become yellowish orange.

Beta carotene is an antioxidant Eventually, the damage caused by free radicals can cause several chronic illnesses. Several studies have shown that antioxidants through diet help people’s immune systems, protect against free radicals, and lower the risk of developing cancer and heart disease.

Antioxidant activity is an excellent example of a functional benefit that plant extracts can deliver. Plants are known to contain a variety of natural antioxidants that protect and preserve their physical and metabolic integrity as well as their heredity by way of their seeds.

In general, health experts usually recommend eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that work together to support health over taking beta carotene supplements. Beta carotene is a potent antioxidant that may benefit your brain, skin, lung, and eye health.

Carotenoids are pigments which play a major role in the protection of plants against photooxidative processes. They are efficient antioxidants scavenging singlet molecular oxygen and peroxyl radicals. In the human organism, carotenoids are part of the antioxidant defense system.

The surprising fact is eating too many carrots, or other foods high in beta-carotene, can cause a yellowish discoloration of the skin, according to the Dermatology Clinic at UAMS. This discoloration, a condition called carotenemia, is most noticeable on the palms and soles.

Carotenoids are pigments which play a major role in the protection of plants against photooxidative processes. They are efficient antioxidants scavenging singlet molecular oxygen and peroxyl radicals. There is increasing evidence from human studies that carotenoids protect the skin against photooxidative damage.

A small number of carotenes, including beta-carotene, are often called “ provitamin A ” because they are a precursor to production of vitamin A in the body. The carotenes lycopene , lutein and zeaxanthin cannot be converted into vitamin A, though they provide other health benefits.

Beta-Carotene Toxicity. The human body regulates retinol conversion, so vitamin A toxicity is not seen with beta-carotene overdose. Chronic high doses of beta-carotene from food sources — the equivalent of eating more than 2 pounds of carrots per day — can cause yellowing of the skin and nails.

Women should not take vitamin A supplements during pregnancy or after menopause. No one should take high dose beta carotene supplements. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be safer than taking vitamin supplements. No biologically active substance taken for a long term can be assumed to be free of risk.

Scientific research has so far shown no positive connection between Beta Carotene and Cancer. In fact in some cases, Beta Carotene increases risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer in smokers. Scientists however are trying to find if the carotene found in vegetables and fruits are effective in treating cancer.