Beta-carotene | Laboratory research

General Information

Beta carotene is a substance that belongs to carotenoids. Carotenoids are obtained from plants such as carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, red-purple vegetables and fruits.
Beta-carotene is a provitamin that converts to vitamin A. Provitamin A is found only in plants. Excessive doses of provitamin A (retinol) obtained from animal sources may cause toxicity, but vitamin A produced from plant beta-carotene does not cause toxicity.
If the body cannot fully convert beta-carotene from food or supplements into vitamin A, it remains in the circulation.

Beta-carotene and vitamin A play an important role in the normal functioning of the reproductive system, skin, vision and immune system.
Beta-carotene, like other carotenes, neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals.
The cause of beta-carotene and vitamin A deficiency may be:
Lactose intolerance
Celiac disease
Cystic fibrosis
Pregnant and lactating women are given a higher than usual dose of beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene deficiency is characterized by the following
Symptoms
night blindness
common weakness
Decreased immunity (various manifestations)
Skin lesions

toxicity
Beta-carotene is not toxic even in high concentrations, however, long-term ingestion of large doses may cause hypercarotenemia. Under the influence of this, the skin becomes yellowish-orange. In hypothyroid patients, there is sometimes a deficiency of enzymes that convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, which also causes hypercarotenemia and vitamin A deficiency. Carotene and vitamin A supplements are not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of miscarriage or developmental abnormalities.

Some drugs that block the absorption of fat from the intestine (for weight control) also cause a decrease in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), which sometimes causes hypovitaminosis.

Material for examination:
Venous blood

advance preparation
The study is conducted on an empty stomach