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Betacarotene - Groups At Risk Of Deficiency

Date reviewed: 7 July 2015 | Date updated: 7 July 2015

Deficiency of betacarotene is quite rare. Certain groups of people may be more susceptible to risk of betacarotene deficiency:

• People taking certain medications - certain medications may reduce the absorption of betacarotene from foods causing a deficiency in this important antioxidant vitamin. People who are taking any type of medication should consult their medical doctor for advice.
• People who are exposed to environmental toxins - people who are constantly exposed to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, toxic chemicals, industrial and exhaust fume pollution, could have an elevated amount of free radical activity in their body and may have lowered betacarotene levels because it is being very quickly used up to mop up and neutralise the existing free radicals and it may not be enough to be effectively.
• People who are under major stress - people who are undergoing any type of major (and ongoing) stress, such as physical or physiological stress, overworking, fatigue, not eating enough or properly and exercising too much all create free radicals which lowers betacarotene levels and may cause a deficiency.
• People with cataracts - people with cataracts may have lowered levels of both betacarotene and vitamin A. The eyes need sufficient levels of both of these vitamins to ensure that the eye functions effectively and eyesight is healthy.
• People with certain illness - People with certain illnesses such as liver disease, cystic fibrosis or chronic diarrhoea all may have lower betacarotene levels.
• People with chronic infections - People with chronic infections may have lowered immune resistance due to the higher levels of free radicals in the body and may also then have lowered betacarotene levels, which could cause deficiency in this vitamin.
• Women who use oral contraceptives - Women who use oral contraceptives may have high levels of betacarotene in their blood, but low levels stored in the liver so this could signify a deficiency of this vitamin.

People with any type of medical condition should seek advice from their doctor before trying any betacarotene supplements to ensure it is suitable for their individual circumstances.

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