Provitamin A: How To Use It For Your Benefit
The body can make vitamin A from select members of the carotenoid family. Beta-carotene is the most important provitamin A.
Vitamin A is a collective name of different forms of vitamin A. They are not all equally beneficial.
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What Does Provitamin Mean?
The term "provitamin" is used when describing a substance with little vitamin function but which can be converted into a vitamin by natural metabolism.
Best Way To Get Carotenoids
The bioavailability of provitamin A ◳ is lower than once believed. So it is difficult to fulfill the daily requirements through plant foods alone.
For instance, β-carotene is only one-twelfth as effective as retinol (preformed vitamin A).
When you are eating foods high in beta-carotene, it is better for absorption and synthesis of vitamin A if you eat them together with fat.
Also, eating anything high in carotenes that is cooked is better than raw because your body can digest it better.
Beta-carotene is studied extensively for its health benefits, but supplementation ◳ at doses higher than recommended intakes have adverse effects.
Why Do We Need Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for our health. It is a powerful antioxidant. When it moves through your body, it scavenges damaging free radicals and fights inflammation.
An adequate intake of dietary vitamin A is essential for normal vision, growth, the functioning of the immune system, etc.
A high intake of carotenoids, from vegetables and fruits, does not seem to cause hypervitaminosis A. Unlike overconsuming preformed vitamin A.
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Our Articles About Carotenes
Carotenes are known to provide some vitamin A activity. In particular beta-carotene.
alpha-Carotene
alpha-Carotene is the second most common form of carotenoids.
Learn more about this carotenoid that is common but fairly unknown in our article: What Is alpha-Carotene & What Foods Can I Find It In?
Higher alpha-Carotene intake is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
alpha-Carotene has many health benefits that might be good for you. Check them out in our article: alpha-Carotene: 7 Research-Backed Benefits
beta-Carotene
beta-Carotene is believed to be the most prominent member of the group of carotenoids.
Read more information about this carotenoid and look at the research behind it in our article: What Is beta-Carotene & What Foods Can I Find It In?
beta-Carotene is a natural colorant and an important antioxidant that occurs in many foods.
Check out what kind of benefits beta-Carotene has, and if they can help you in any way, in our article: beta-Carotene: 3 Research-Backed Benefits
cis-beta-Carotene
cis-beta-Carotene is a cyclic carotene. It has the structure of beta-carotene. Learn more in our article: What Is cis-beta-Carotene & What Foods Can I Find It In?
It also possesses similar benefits as beta-carotene. Read about its special benefit just for cis-beta-Carotene in our article: cis-beta-Carotene: One Research-Backed Benefit
trans-beta-Carotene
Trans-beta-Carotene has shown to be more bioavailable than any of the other carotenoids. Read more about this in our article: What Is trans-beta-Carotene & What Foods Can I Find It In?
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Our Articles About Cryptoxanthin
Cryptoxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment with potential antioxidant properties.
alpha-Cryptoxanthin
alpha-Cryptoxanthin is closely related to beta-carotene. You can find more information about alpha-Cryptoxanthin in our article: What Is alpha-Cryptoxanthin & What Foods Can I Find It In?
Little is known about the potential physiological role of alpha-cryptoxanthin but might have antioxidant properties.
See more about the benefit in our article: alpha-Cryptoxanthin: One Research-Backed Benefit
beta-Cryptoxanthin
beta-Cryptoxanthin is closely related to beta-carotene. Learn more about this carotenoid in our article: What Is beta-Cryptoxanthin & What Foods Can I Find It In?
beta-Cryptoxanthin has several functions that are important for human health. Learn what kind of benefits beta-Cryptoxanthin possesses and what they might do for you in our article: beta-Cryptoxanthin: 6 Research-Backed Benefits