Dear All,
the recommended consumption of vitamin A, or carrot juice is not more
than a 16oz. glass each day or every other day. In large doses it can
cause not only the symptoms stated in Lils message, but diarrhea as
well. NOw, in our experience we juice carrots and beets and celery every
other day in 16oz. glasses. One for Barb and one for me. Vitamin A is a
source of antioxidant (cancer fighter), but like anything, we need to
take in moderation. Overdosing does not benefit any faster or better.
Just my opinion.
Thanks for the message LIl. Very important indeed.
God Bless You All,
marty auslander
> Lillian wrote:
>
> Too Much of a Good Thing -- Carrot Juice Overload
> About Liz Applegate, Ph.D. | Nutrition and Fitness Archive
>
> Q: I have a friend who is "into juicing." He consumes at least a
> half-gallon of carrot juice daily. His skin, mostly his hands, has
> turned yellowish-orange. He thinks this is a sign of health; I believe
> it signals excessive intake of carotene. What's the verdict? And does
> he run the risk of any side effects with his carrot juice addiction?
>
> A: Your assessment is correct. Your friend's yellow-orange skin hue is
> a tell-tale sign of a beta carotene overdose from his hefty carrot
> juice consumption. And whether this skin discoloration signals health,
> as your friend insists, is questionable. But don't get me wrong. Beta
> carotene -- along with other plant pigments generally called
> carotenes, found in carrots and other colorful vegetables and fruits
> -- are a boost to your health.
>
> In fact, a diet rich in carotenes helps ward off age-related
> degenerative diseases such as cancer, arthritis and heart disease. But
> your friend's "drinking" habit has led to too much of a good thing.
> Let's take a look at how carotenes keep you young, how much you need,
> what's too much and where to get these wondrous nutrients.
> First, meet the carotenes: An entire family of colorful pigments
> in shades of yellow, orange and red abound in fruits and vegetables.
> More than 500 different carotenes have been identified, with beta
> carotene the most notable and most common carotene found in foods and
> body tissues. Others from the carotene family include lycopene (giving
> a red hue to tomatoes and watermelons), lutein and zeaxanthin (both
> stockpiled in greens like spinach and kale), and cryptoxanthin (a
> reddish-orange carotene found in red peppers, tangerines and papayas).
> Carotenes have several jobs. Some, particularly beta carotene,
> are converted into vitamin A which keeps your skin, lungs, intestinal
> track and immune system in working order. Carotenes also act as
> antioxidants protecting against the oxidative damage caused by highly
> reactive substances called free radicals. Exposure to sunlight,
> cigarette smoke and air pollution, along with your body's everyday
> cellular activities, cause free radicals to form. And it's
> free-radical havoc that scientists believe is pivotal in the
> development of age-related, degenerative diseases such as cancer,
> cataracts, arthritis, heart disease and even asthma.
> Studies show that people who eat carotene-rich foods have lower
> risk for many of these diseases. In a Swedish study involving women 50
> years and up, those who ate about one-half a carrot's worth of beta
> carotene daily had two-thirds lower risk for breast cancer compared to
> women who skimped on their carotene intake. Other studies show that a
> lycopene-rich diet protects against prostate cancer in men. And
> research also shows lutein and zeaxanthin, acting as antioxidants,
> protect the eyes from macular degeneration, a leading form of
> blindness in the elderly. And still other studies suggest that
> carotenes cut heart disease risk in both men and women.
> The bottom line: Disease protection comes from getting the
> entire family of carotenes by eating a variety of fruits and
> vegetables. Researchers also theorize that the carotenes may team up
> with each other and other compounds in foods, making beta carotene
> supplements of questionable benefit.
> So what's your carotene need? Meeting your vitamin A requirement
> from beta carotene, 6 milligrams daily, is easy: Eat a handful of baby
> carrots and you've done it! Six ounces of carrot juice (made from two
> medium-sized carrots) supplies a whopping 28 mg. of beta carotene. And
> your friend's 1/2 gallon-a-day habit of carrot juice equals 300 mg.,
> or 50 times the requirement.
> The good thing about your friend's beta-carotene overdosing, is
> that the body doesn't convert the excess to vitamin A. If this were
> the case, serious toxicity problems, such as liver damage, would
> occur. Instead, the excess carotene accumulates over a period of weeks
> in the skin, primarily on the palms of hands and feet, lending a
> yellow-orange hue.
> The amount of carotene that causes notable skin color changes
> varies, but one study showed that approximately 50 milligrams daily
> led to discoloration in about 10 days. The skin discoloration is
> completely harmless, except perhaps to friends who may find this
> appearance startling. So your friend's tainted skin color is easily
> explained.
> While his orange skin is not a threat to his health, the
> over-emphasis on one source of beta carotene -- carrot juice -- is a
> concern. Your friend is missing out on health benefits from the family
> of carotenes and other phytochemicals by not eating a variety of
> vegetables (such as tomatoes, kale, spinach, winter squashes, broccoli
> and romaine lettuce) and fruits (including apricots, tangerines,
> watermelon, cantaloupe and grapefruit). Suggest he try some of these
> in his juicer the next time around for a dose of good health.
>
> Ask Liz Applegate, Ph.D. a Question
>
> Warmly, lillian
>
> We invite you to take a look at our
> Album.
> www.angelfire.com/sc/molangels/index.html
>
> ( Very informational, good tips, Molers pictures, art work and much
> more....
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