Beta Carotene 30,000iu - 90 Caps

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene?

Vitamin A comes in two basic forms, "regular" Vitamin A and Beta carotene. Beta carotene is known as provitamin A and is found in plants. The carotenes are powerful antioxidants. Natural Factors beta carotene products use natural source beta carotene. Vitamin A is essential for many bodily processes including: vision and healthy skin, digestion, respiration, reproduction and the building of bones and teeth. Beta carotene, also known as "provitamin A" is an excellent antioxidant and Vitamin A source, with no danger of buildup in the liver.

What are Carotenoids?
Carotenoids are a class of compounds that is related to vitamin A. The carotenes include betacarotene and lycopene. Betcarotene is converted to vitamin A in the liver and is often used in lieu of vitamin A supplementation. It is not toxic and generally cannot be overdosed because the liver only converts what it needs into vitamin A. You can turn your skin slightly yellow by taking large quantities (or eating tons of carrots!) but this is not harmful to the body. Betacarotene that is not converted to vitamin A is a free radical scavenger. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Betacarotene can help support healthy cell growth, which can result from free radicals damaging cellular genetic material. It also protects the body against environmental pollutants other substances that and lead to aging.

Eye Health

The eye is a very important sensory organ, which is shown by the fact that a large area of our brain is committed to taking in and understanding visual information. Up to 70% of all of the sensory receptors in the body are in the eyes. Problems with the eyes become more common as we age.

Free radical damage and reduced blood flow to the eye are common causes of degenerative eye conditions.Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. This can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells. Food, water and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are the major contributors of free radicals that build up in the eye.

The eyes reflect the overall health of the body. The vessels on the back of the eyeball are very small and fragile. Changes in them are often the first sign of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertensionand atheroclerosis. These conditions lead to decreased blood flow to the retina. Lack of oxygen and an accumulation of waste products eventually compromises vision. Poor diet, environmental toxins, medications and stress all decrease the body's ability to neutralize free radicals and maintain healthy vessels.