Your heart health should always be a priority. Keeping your heart happy and healthy can decrease your risk of a range of complications, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more. Luckily, there are plenty of heart-healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine—including taking certain supplements. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some supplements may increase your risk of heart-related health issues, especially if you don’t stick to the proper dosage.
To discover one supplement that could take a toll on your heart health, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet. She told us that high doses of beta-carotene could lead to adverse cardiovascular effects. Learn more about the risks of this supplement—and how to prevent them—below.
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Beta-Carotene and Heart Health
In moderation, beta-carotene can be a healthy part of a balanced diet. This naturally occurring compound is found in many nutritious fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach, and it offers many potential health benefits. In fact, beta-carotene is known to have antioxidant properties, which can protect your body against free radical damage and improve your heart health, as noted by WebMD. For this reason, it's often used in dietary supplements. However, Richards warns that in high doses, this supplement can lead to adverse effects on your heart. You know what they say: too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Such may also be the case with beta-carotene.
"High doses of beta-carotene supplements have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease in some studies," Richards warns.
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Possible health effects of beta-carotene
Richards warns that high doses of beta-carotene can lead to the following adverse effects on your heart health:
- Increased oxidative stress in the body: Oxidative stress can lead to a number of health complications, including diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's, according to Medical News Today. Richards warns that beta-carotene may worsen these risks and even play a role in heart disease. "Beta-carotene supplements can increase oxidative stress in the body, which can damage cells and tissues and contribute to the development of heart disease," she says.
- Interference with nutrient absorption: Ample nutrition is crucial to your overall health, especially when it comes to your heart. Unfortunately, beta-carotene may make it difficult for your body to receive all the nutrients it needs from your diet. "High doses of beta-carotene supplements can interfere with the absorption of other important nutrients, such as vitamin E, which has been shown to have a protective effect on heart health," Richards tells us.
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How to prevent these effects
Luckily, there are ways to reap the possible health benefits of beta-carotene without putting your heart at risk. Overall, Richards says that you should always take caution when it comes to dosages. Additionally, remember that the best way to get this compound, just as with any nutrient, is directly from the food you eat.
"It is important to follow recommended dosages and to obtain beta-carotene through a healthy and balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables," she concludes. Noted!
