Skip to content

Myths vs Facts

Vitamin A · 009


Myths

“Beta-carotene is completely harmless.”

Facts

Beta-carotene has a lower risk of toxicity than preformed vitamin A, but high doses aren’t risk-free.

Beta-carotene has a lower risk of toxicity than vitamin A because the body limits its absorption and conversion into vitamin A according to its current needs. [3]

However, high doses are not without risk. In heavy smokers, supplementation with 20 mg of beta-carotene per day was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. [4]

R&D Verified - Liftment
Source data

[3] O'Connor C. et al., “Mechanisms of Feedback Regulation of Vitamin A Metabolism,” Nutrients, 21 March 2022.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950952/

[4] Turck N. et al., “Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for preformed vitamin A and β-carotene,” EFSA Journal, 6 June 2024.

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8814

Myths vs Facts

Read more

Stay Updated with Myths & Facts

Sign up for regular Myths & Facts updates from the Liftment R&D team, based on the topics and claims currently trending across social media.