Last update April 29, 2024

Betacarotene, Beta Carotene

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Beta-carotene is a pigment found in yellow and orange vegetables (carrot, melon, mango...) and dark green vegetables (spinach, kale). It is a precursor and essential source of vitamin A which is also found in various nutritional supplements (Stroble 2007). It is converted to the active form of vitamin A (retinol) in the liver and intestinal mucosa; when adequate plasma levels of Vitamin A are reached the conversion is saturated, so excessive consumption cannot produce hypervitaminosis A (EFSA 2006). It is used in Vitamin A deficiency and porphyria. Oral administration. It is a food substance recognized as safe. (FDA 2023)

It is found naturally in breast milk (Song 2013) and plasma levels are higher in breastfed infants than in non-breastfed infants (Zaidi 2022). It has antioxidant properties and could decrease inflammatory processes in the breast (Tinia 2022). Freezing does not decrease the concentration of beta-carotene in breast milk, but it does if the milk is administered by a tube feeding system. (Tacken 2009)

Beta-carotene is excreted in breast milk and its supplementation significantly increases (2 to 6-fold) beta-carotene levels in milk (Webb 2009, Canfield 1998 and 1997, Johnson 1997), even when administered in the form of carrot paste. (Haftel 2015)

There are no reports of adverse effects in breastfed infants from maternal supplementation with beta-carotene. (Hale)

Breastfed infants of mothers who consume high amounts of beta-carotene-rich foods may have carotinemia (yellow-orange coloration of the skin) that does not involve jaundice or liver disease. (Thomson 1943)

HIV-affected breastfeeding mothers who receive vitamin A and beta-carotene have a greater shedding of HIV virus in breast milk than women who do not, increasing the rate of HIV transmission. (Fawzi 2002)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Betacarotene, Beta Carotene is also known as


Betacarotene, Beta Carotene in other languages or writings:

Groups

Betacarotene, Beta Carotene belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Betacarotene, Beta Carotene in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Molecular weight 537 daltons
Tmax 6 & 32 hours
144 - 264 hours

References

  1. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. FDA. U.S. Food & Drug Administration Part 184.1- Substances added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). CFR. 2023 Consulted on Dec. 12, 2023 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Zaidi Y, Stroh R, Moran NE. Systematic review of carotenoid concentrations in human milk and infant blood. Nutr Rev. 2022 Aug 8;80(9):2029-2050. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Tinia Hasianna S, Gunadi JW, Rohmawaty E, Lesmana R. Potential role of β-carotene-modulated autophagy in puerperal breast inflammation (Review). Biomed Rep. 2022 Jul 22;17(3):75. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. Haftel L, Berkovich Z, Reifen R. Elevated milk β-carotene and lycopene after carrot and tomato paste supplementation. Nutrition. 2015 Mar;31(3):443-5. Abstract
  6. Song BJ, Jouni ZE, Ferruzzi MG. Assessment of phytochemical content in human milk during different stages of lactation. Nutrition. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Webb AL, Aboud S, Furtado J, Murrin C, Campos H, Fawzi WW, Villamor E. Effect of vitamin supplementation on breast milk concentrations of retinol, carotenoids and tocopherols in HIV-infected Tanzanian women. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Mar;63(3):332-9. Epub 2007 Oct 17. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  8. Tacken KJ, Vogelsang A, van Lingen RA, Slootstra J, Dikkeschei BD, van Zoeren-Grobben D. Loss of triglycerides and carotenoids in human milk after processing. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2009 Nov;94(6):F447-50. Abstract
  9. Strobel M, Tinz J, Biesalski HK. The importance of beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A with special regard to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Eur J Nutr. 2007 Jul;46 Suppl 1:I1-20. Review. Abstract
  10. EFSA. European Food Safety Authority. Tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals. Scientific Committee on Food. 2006 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Fawzi WW, Msamanga GI, Hunter D, Renjifo B, Antelman G, Bang H, Manji K, Kapiga S, Mwakagile D, Essex M, Spiegelman D. Randomized trial of vitamin supplements in relation to transmission of HIV-1 through breastfeeding and early child mortality. AIDS. 2002 Sep 27;16(14):1935-44. Abstract
  12. Canfield LM, Giuliano AR, Neilson EM, Blashil BM, Graver EJ, Yap HH. Kinetics of the response of milk and serum beta-carotene to daily beta-carotene supplementation in healthy, lactating women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Feb;67(2):276-83. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr 1998 Jun;67(6):1286. Abstract
  13. Johnson EJ, Qin J, Krinsky NI, Russell RM. Beta-carotene isomers in human serum, breast milk and buccal mucosa cells after continuous oral doses of all-trans and 9-cis beta-carotene. J Nutr. 1997 Oct;127(10):1993-9. Abstract
  14. Canfield LM, Giuliano AR, Neilson EM, Yap HH, Graver EJ, Cui HA, Blashill BM. beta-Carotene in breast milk and serum is increased after a single beta-carotene dose. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Jul;66(1):52-61. Abstract
  15. Thomson ML. Carotinaemia in a suckling. Arch Dis Child. 1943 Jun;18(94):112. No abstract available. Abstract Full text (link to original source)

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