Bendich A
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Hoffmann-La Roche, Nutley, NJ 07110-1199.
Nutr Cancer. 1988;11(4):207-14. doi: 10.1080/01635588809513989.
Epidemiological studies have associated low dietary and/or plasma level of carotenoids with higher incidences of certain cancers. This evidence has led the National Cancer Institute to initiate more than a dozen prospective clinical trials in which supplements of beta-carotene alone, or in combination with other micronutrients, are being taken. In these trials, the beta-carotene supplements are given in the range of 15-50 mg/day. The safety of this level of intake is well documented. beta-Carotene has been successfully used to treat inherited photosensitivity diseases for more than 15 years at dosages of 180 mg/day or more, without any adverse effects other than hypercarotenemia. Toxicity studies in animals have shown that beta-carotene is not carcinogenic, mutagenic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic and does not cause hypervitaminosis A. In the few isolated reports of carotenoid-related toxicity, the findings are associated with very large intakes of foods containing beta-carotene, among other constituents, and have not been substantiated in individuals who have taken high doses of beta-carotene for several years.
流行病学研究表明，饮食中类胡萝卜素含量低和/或血浆中类胡萝卜素水平低与某些癌症的高发病率相关。这一证据促使美国国家癌症研究所开展了十几项前瞻性临床试验，试验中单独服用β-胡萝卜素补充剂，或与其他微量营养素联合服用。在这些试验中，β-胡萝卜素补充剂的服用剂量为每天15至50毫克。这一摄入水平的安全性已有充分记录。在超过15年的时间里，β-胡萝卜素已成功用于治疗遗传性光敏疾病，剂量为每天180毫克或更高，除了高胡萝卜素血症外没有任何不良反应。动物毒性研究表明，β-胡萝卜素没有致癌性、致突变性、胚胎毒性或致畸性，也不会导致维生素A过多症。在少数几篇关于类胡萝卜素相关毒性的孤立报告中，研究结果与大量摄入含有β-胡萝卜素及其他成分的食物有关，而在连续几年服用高剂量β-胡萝卜素的个体中并未得到证实。
