Evidence supporting the use of: Beta-carotene
For the body system: Eyes
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision. Its use in supporting the eyes is primarily based on scientific evidence. Vitamin A is required for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the retina that is necessary for seeing in low-light conditions. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness and, in severe cases, complete blindness. Beta-carotene, found in colorful fruits and vegetables, is converted by the body into vitamin A as needed, making it a safe dietary source.
Several large studies, such as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), have investigated the effects of antioxidants, including beta-carotene, on eye health, particularly in the context of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The original AREDS trial found that a combination of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene) and zinc reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD in high-risk individuals. However, later research (AREDS2) replaced beta-carotene with other carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) due to concerns about increased lung cancer risk in smokers associated with beta-carotene supplementation, but the eye health benefit was similar.
Overall, while beta-carotene is justified by scientific evidence as a source of vitamin A important for vision, its direct supplementation is not always recommended, especially for smokers. Dietary intake through fruits and vegetables remains the preferred approach to support eye health.
Other ingredients that support Eyes
Acetyl L-carnitinealgal oil
Alpha-carotene
anchovies
anthocyanins
apricot
astaxanthin
berry flavor
beta-carotene
bilberry
black currant
blackberry
blueberry
broccoli
calamari oil
carrot
citicoline
cryptoxanthin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
flavonols
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gooseberry
hyaluronic acid
hypromellose
kale
L-carnosine
L-taurine
lutein
mannitol
Marine lipid
Melatonin
mixed carotenoids
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
pine bark
pumpkin
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rutin
saffron
spinach
Triphala
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin E
Water
Mulberry
Zeaxanthin
Zinc
chickweed
Morus
chrysanthemum
haliotis
polyphenols
trace minerals
goji berry
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
Aronia melanocarpa
Alchornea
avocado
anthocyanidins
anthocyanosides
beta-zeacarotene
Beef liver
Blakeslea trispora
berry
bioflavonoids
bee products
barbary matrimony vine
crocin
Carnosine
cod liver oil
cyanidin
cornflower
cantaloupe
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Cornus
carotene (unspecified)
crocetin
cocklebur
Crypthecodinium
Celosia
capsanthin
currant
Dunaliella salina
docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
egg
ergothioneine
Eyebright
eicosapentaenoic acid
fruit
flavonoids
fat liver oil
fish
fatty acids
Fagopyrum
flavoglycosides
fibroblast growth factor
Gac
ginkgo flavone glycoside
Glutathione
gamma-carotene
Haematococcus pluvialis
huckleberry
Idebenone
Lycium
Ligustrum
lipids
Mineral ascorbate
Marine fat
marigold
N-Acetyl Carnosine
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Phaffia rhodozyma
procyanidol
proanthocyanidins
polyunsaturated fat
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
rue
rose
Schizochytrium Oil
Spanish Needle
Schizochytrium
Salmon Oil
Tea
Troxerutin
Taurine
Tagetes
Xanthophyll
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