carotenoids

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/30/02 5:03:09 AM,

writes:

>Am i correct in

>

>understanding that with the vegetable sources of vit. A it is impossible

>to

>

>ingest toxic amounts? That the worst that will happen is your skin turns

That's what all my nutrition texts say -- In fact, whereas the body absorbs

80%+ of retinyl esters (animal vitamin A), we only absorb 40 - 60% of the

carotenes from plants -- depends on other dietary factors such as the level

and type of fat (needs fat for absorption), the amount of protein and the

digestibility of the proteins bound to carotenoids in foods. Also the

conversion of the carotenes to retinol is not very efficient. From a recent

nutrition book: " The toxicities of the carotenoids are low, and daily intakes

of as much as 30 mg beta carotene (usually measured in micrograms) are

without side effects other than the accumulation of the carotenoid in the

skin with consequent yellowing. " It's known as hypercarotenodermia and will

reverse on cessation of excessive carotene intake.

Namaste, Liz

<A HREF= " http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html " >

http://www.csun.edu/~ecm59556/Healthycarb/index.html</A>

[Guest guest]

Thanks again, Liz. I am totally relieved to have such information. Being

pregnant can make one rather paranoid. I'm learning so much on this group.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

I think current position of WAPF on this is that it's practically

impossible to ingest toxic amounts of vitamin A (real) from foods. Am I

right? http://www.westonaprice.org/vitamins/vitaminasaga.html

Roman

Ecmillerreid@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 9/30/02 5:03:09 AM,

> writes:

>

> >Am i correct in

> >

> >understanding that with the vegetable sources of vit. A it is impossible

> >to

> >

> >ingest toxic amounts? That the worst that will happen is your skin turns

>

> That's what all my nutrition texts say -- In fact, whereas the body absorbs

> 80%+ of retinyl esters (animal vitamin A), we only absorb 40 - 60% of the

> carotenes from plants -- depends on other dietary factors such as the level

> and type of fat (needs fat for absorption), the amount of protein and the

> digestibility of the proteins bound to carotenoids in foods. Also the

> conversion of the carotenes to retinol is not very efficient. From a recent

> nutrition book: " The toxicities of the carotenoids are low, and daily intakes

> of as much as 30 mg beta carotene (usually measured in micrograms) are

> without side effects other than the accumulation of the carotenoid in the

> skin with consequent yellowing. " It's known as hypercarotenodermia and will

> reverse on cessation of excessive carotene intake.

>

> Namaste, Liz