Those choosing to take a multivitamin while on orlistat should take them at least two hours before having their medication. It can undermine the absorption of beta carotene by up to 30 percent, resulting in lower blood beta carotene levels. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) – this is a weight control medication.Some cholesterol-lowering drugs – cholestyramine and colestipol can reduce blood levels of dietary beta carotene by thirty to forty per cent.Statins – the effectiveness of simvastatin (Zocor) and niacin may be decreased if the patient is taking beta carotene with selenium and vitamins E and C.
The following drugs may be affected by beta carotene supplements: Beta carotene drug interactionsĭrug interaction refers to a substance interfering in how a medication works, by either making it less effective, increasing its potency, or changing what it is supposed to do.
The BMJ published a report in March 2006 which showed that high blood beta carotene levels compensate for some of the damage to the lungs caused by oxygen free radicals. Beta carotene keeps lungs healthy as people age The researchers emphasized that there may have been other factors which contributed to the slower decline in cognitive abilities among the men in the beta carotene group. Over the short-term, they found no difference in cognitive decline risk between the two groups of men, but in the long-term it was clear that beta carotene supplements made a significant difference. Their study, involving 4,052 men, compared those on beta carotene supplements for an average of 18 years to others who were given placebo. Studies have shown that antioxidant supplements may help prevent the deterioration of cognition. Oxidative stress is thought to be a key factor in cognitive decline, the researchers explained. Men who have been taking beta carotene supplements for 15 or more years are considerably less likely to experience cognitive decline than other males, researchers from Harvard Medical School reported in Archives of Internal Medicine (November 2007 issue). Beta carotene may slow down cognitive decline Some studies have suggested that those who consume at least four daily servings of beta carotene rich fruits and/or vegetables have a lower risk of developing cancer or heart disease.
Several studies have shown that antioxidants through diet help people’s immune systems, protect against free radicals, and lower the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Eventually, the damage caused by free radicals can cause several chronic illnesses. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules it protects the body from free radicals.įree radicals damage cells through oxidation. Below, we give some examples: Beta carotene is an antioxidantīeta carotene, like all carotenoids, is an antioxidant. There are a number of ways that beta carotene can benefit human health.