Beta-Carotene as Carcinogen-???
tmur...@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca
>
>
>I read in passing recently a report on the NEGATIVE EFFECTS of beta-
>carotene, based on a study done (I believe) in Finland. If anyone
>is able to speak to this research or to a balanced reconsideration
>of beta-carotene's merits in light of this research, I would
>appreciate it.
>
>After much effort during recent years, I've managed to persuade my
>WHOLE EXTENDED FAMILY to swallow daily regimens of beta-
>carotene (50,000 or more I.U.) along with time-release Vitamin C
>(1000 to 10,000 mgs), Vitamin E (400 to 1600 I.U.), and so forth --
>all this in the name of greater "prevention" supposedly fostered
>by the increased amount of anti-oxidants ingested.
>
>Now, after the Finnish study has implicated beta-carotene as possibly
>contributing to pulmonary disease (cancers?) and to hastened
>morbidity, and with this study having been flashed widely over
>the news during recent weeks, I am being looked upon with a jaundiced
>eye by my family--the very ones who had given me Mother Teresa stature--
>now as "the executioner" who's been surreptiously passing around the
>Kool Aid laced with cyanide ...
>
>P L E A S E R E S P O N D if you have some sound information,
>pertinent observations or simply interesting thoughts for consideration
>.... to share to help sort out this quandary. I have not yet abandoned
>my own regimen of anti-oxidants, including beta-carotene, though I
>have not been as eager to "swear" by its merits to the
>as-yet-uninitiated....at least not yet. I have myself been a daily
>BC swallower for over 10 years -- usually several soft-gels in the
>morning and several at nite ... up to about 150 mg or 125,000 IU
>per day!! ...Illusions of life extension?...
>
>I've read here and there questions raised about 1) possible contaminants
>of synthesized v. "naturally derived" beta-carotene, 2) the possibility
>that large amounts of beta-carotene block the absorption of other
>beneficial carotenoids, 3) mal-absorption of fat-soluble
>carotenoids caused by a low-fat diet, and 4) the possibility that the
>carotenoids work best synergistically and this synergism -- as well
>as its prophylaxis effects against cancers, etc. -- is truncated
>by an over abundance of just one carotenoid, e.g., beta-carotene.
>
>Four questions: Can anyone speak more about this Finnish study?
>Are there any other studies "of merit" -- past or ongoing -- which
>seem to support or refute the Finnish findings? Has the discussion
>gotten beyond the points raised above? Where are we now in our
>thinking about, and "prognosis" for, beta-carotene?
>
>T H A N K S !!! *** Ce...@annex.com or cec...@netcom.com ***
>
>"...yes, dismayed but not yet disheartened..."
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been countless studies pointing to the benifis of beta-carotene and
just this one that suggests otherwise. One interesting point is that the
beta-carotene used in tthe study was in capsule form. Personally, i eat
blue-green algae from Klamth Lake daily, it is one of the highest source of
beta-carotene around. Not to mention trace minerals, amino acids, chlorophyll,
and vitamins. I've been eating algae for 1.5 yrs, so if you have any questions
about it fell free to post or e-mail me.
Trevor Murdock
tmur...@uvphys.phys.uvic.ca
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