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Article: High-dose beta-carotene supplements risky for smokers, drinkers.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- December 12, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Bob Condor
Q: The research study you wrote about found that excessive levels of vitamin A increased the risk of bone fractures but that beta-carotene was not associated with this same risk. You said this was presumably because the body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A only as needed. Couldn't you just take beta-carotene instead of vitamin A?
A: Yes and no.
Yes: If you get your beta-carotene primarily from diet (veggies and fruits such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, mango, and cantaloupe), which provides ample amounts.
Probably no: If you mean high-dose beta-carotene in supplement form, particularly if you smoke or ...