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Beta-carotene

Cautions
Dosing
Integrative
Programs
More
Information

BCCT plans to write a summary on beta-carotene. While our summary is in development, you can visit About Herbs: Beta-Carotene

Before using this therapy, consult your oncology team about interactions with other treatments and therapies. Also make sure this therapy is safe for use with any other medical conditions you may have.

Practice Guidelines and Recommendations

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against beta-carotene supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer.”¹ 2

Cautions

Eating a well-rounded diet that includes sources of beta-carotene—such as from deep orange vegetables—is prudent. However, some evidence indicates that beta-carotene in supplement form is not as beneficial and in some cases may even be harmful. Consult with a knowledgeable clinician regarding the advisability of taking beta-carotene supplements for your specific cancer or symptoms.

Read more

Refer to About Herbs: Beta-Carotene for more information.

Dosing

BCCT does not recommend therapies or doses, but only provides information for patients and providers to consider as part of a complete treatment plan. Patients should discuss therapies with their physicians, as contraindications, interactions and side effects must be evaluated.

Dosage recommendations are available from these sources:

• Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
• McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016.

Integrative Programs, Protocols and Medical Systems

• Programs and protocols
• Block program: antioxidant support formula⁸
• Lemole, Mehta & McKee endometrial cancer protocol⁹
• McKinney protocols:¹⁰
  • Breast cancer, in the diet, mixed with natural carotenoids
  • Endometrial cancer

1. Moyer VA; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: U.S. Preventive services Task Force recommendation statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2014;160(8):558-564
2. .
3. Goodman GE, Thornquist MD et al. The beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial: incidence of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality during 6-year follow-up after stopping beta-carotene and retinol supplements. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2004;96:1743-50; Meyer F, Bairati I et al. Interaction between antioxidant vitamin supplementation and cigarette smoking during radiation therapy in relation to long-term effects on recurrence and mortality: a randomized trial among head and neck cancer patients. International Journal of Cancer. 2008;122(7):1679-1683.
4. Harvie M. Nutritional supplements and cancer: potential benefits and proven harms. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book. 2014;e478-e486.
5. Harvie M. Nutritional supplements and cancer: potential benefits and proven harms. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book. 2014;e478-e486.
6. Goodman GE, Thornquist MD et al. The beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial: incidence of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality during 6-year follow-up after stopping beta-carotene and retinol supplements. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2004;96:1743-50; Meyer F, Bairati I et al. Interaction between antioxidant vitamin supplementation and cigarette smoking during radiation therapy in relation to long-term effects on recurrence and mortality: a randomized trial among head and neck cancer patients. International Journal of Cancer. 2008;122(7):1679-1683.
7. Block KI. Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009; McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016.
8. Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
9. Lemole G, Mehta P, McKee D. After Cancer Care: The Definitive Self-Care Guide to Getting and Staying Well for Patients with Cancer. New York, New York: Rodale, Inc. 2015.
10. McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016.

View All References

More Information

• Gurdev Parmar and Tina Kaczor: Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology
• Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
• Neil McKinney, BSc, ND: Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products
• Michael Lerner: Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
• ConsumerLab.com
• Lone Star Medical Group: Natural Alternative Treatments
• Therapeutic Research Center: Natural Medicines Database