Home Ingredients CaroCare® (Natural Beta-Carotene — DSM)
AntioxidantImmune SupportEye Health

CaroCare® (Natural Beta-Carotene — DSM)

Evidence Level
Limited
0 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

CaroCare® is a natural-source beta-carotene from DSM. Beta-carotene is a plant pigment the body can convert into vitamin A, and it also acts as an antioxidant. It supports vitamin A status, skin, eye, and immune health. Note that high-dose beta-carotene supplements are not recommended for smokers.

Studied Dose Commonly providing a few milligrams of beta-carotene per day.
Active Compound Natural-source beta-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid and antioxidant.

Benefits

Vitamin A support

Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that the body converts into vitamin A as needed, supporting healthy vision, skin, and immune function.

Antioxidant defense

As a carotenoid, beta-carotene helps neutralize free radicals and supports the body's antioxidant defenses.

Skin and eye support

Beta-carotene supports skin health and, as a vitamin A source, contributes to normal vision.

Immune support studied where vitamin A intake is low

Studied as generic beta-carotene, not CaroCare. In 15,832 pregnant Nepali women, 42 mg weekly vs placebo cut reported postpartum high fever and loose stools; illness up to week 28 did not change. In 59 men, 50 mg every other day for 10 to 12 years was linked to higher NK cell activity in elderly men only. In male smokers, 20 mg daily did not cut colds in physical workers and raised them in heavy exercisers. Smokers: avoid high doses.

Mechanism of action

1

Provitamin A conversion

The body converts beta-carotene into retinol (vitamin A) in a regulated way, providing vitamin A activity without the toxicity risk of preformed vitamin A.

2

Carotenoid antioxidant action

Beta-carotene quenches singlet oxygen and free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative damage.

Clinical trials

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated at normal dietary doses.
Smokers and asbestos-exposed individuals: high-dose beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer risk in large trials; avoid high-dose supplementation.
Very high intake can temporarily turn the skin orange (harmless).

Important Drug interactions

Smokers — avoid high-dose beta-carotene supplements; discuss with your doctor.
Generally compatible with other medications at dietary doses.
Tell your doctor if pregnant or managing a health condition.

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Frequently asked questions about CaroCare® (Natural Beta-Carotene — DSM)

What is CaroCare?

CaroCare® is a natural-source beta-carotene from DSM. Beta-carotene is a plant pigment the body can convert into vitamin A, and it also acts as an antioxidant. It supports vitamin A status, skin, eye, and immune health. Note that high-dose beta-carotene supplements are not recommended for smokers.

What is CaroCare used for?

CaroCare is researched primarily for Antioxidant, Immune Support, and Eye Health. Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that the body converts into vitamin A as needed, supporting healthy vision, skin, and immune function.

What is the recommended dosage of CaroCare?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly providing a few milligrams of beta-carotene per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is CaroCare safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for CaroCare include: Generally well-tolerated at normal dietary doses. Smokers and asbestos-exposed individuals: high-dose beta-carotene supplements increased lung cancer risk in large trials; avoid high-dose supplementation. It may also interact with some medications. CaroCare is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does CaroCare interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Smokers — avoid high-dose beta-carotene supplements; discuss with your doctor. Generally compatible with other medications at dietary doses. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for CaroCare?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for CaroCare as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 8 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(8 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Bohn T, Desmarchelier C, El SN, Keijer J, van Schothorst E, Rühl R, Borel P β-Carotene in the human body: metabolic bioactivation pathways - from digestion to tissue distribution and excretion Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2019;78(1):68-87. doi:10.1017/S0029665118002641.PubMedUsed to support: Comprehensive human-focused review of beta-carotene conversion to vitamin A (provitamin A activity), tissue distribution, and its role as an antioxidant; directly supports vitamin A support and antioxidant defense claims for CaroCare
  2. Johra FT, Bepari AK, Bristy AT, Reza HM A Mechanistic Review of β-Carotene, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin in Eye Health and Disease Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(11):1046. doi:10.3390/antiox9111046.PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic review demonstrating beta-carotene's role as an ocular antioxidant that protects retinal tissue from photochemical damage and is relevant to ocular tissue, although large human trials found beta-carotene supplements do NOT prevent age-related macular degeneration or cataracts; supports eye support and antioxidant defense claims for CaroCare
  3. Stahl W, Sies H Photoprotection by dietary carotenoids: concept, mechanisms, evidence and future development Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2012;56(2):287-95. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201100718.PubMedUsed to support: Review summarizing evidence that dietary beta-carotene accumulates in skin and provides measurable photoprotection against UV-induced oxidative damage in humans; supports skin support and antioxidant defense claims for CaroCare
  4. Zhuang C, Yuan J, Du Y, Zeng J, Sun Y, Wu Y, Gao XH, Chen HD Effects of Oral Carotenoids on Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies in the Recent 20 Years Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022;9:754707. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.754707.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 RCTs (2000–2020) confirming that oral carotenoid supplementation including beta-carotene significantly reduces oxidative stress markers in humans; supports antioxidant defense claim for CaroCare
  5. Christian P, West KP Jr, Khatry SK, Katz J, LeClerq SC, Kimbrough-Pradhan E, Dali SM, Shrestha SR. Vitamin A or beta-carotene supplementation reduces symptoms of illness in pregnant and lactating Nepali women. J Nutr. 2000;130(11):2675-82..PubMedUsed to support: Placebo-controlled, cluster-randomized NNIPS-2 trial in 15,832 pregnant and lactating Nepali women given weekly vitamin A or beta-carotene. Beta-carotene reduced the postpartum prevalence of at least four loose stools, night blindness and high fever; no effect on illness reported up to 28 weeks of gestation. Reported symptoms, generic beta-carotene, not this brand. Backs the immune-support benefit.
  6. West KP Jr, Katz J, Khatry SK, LeClerq SC, Pradhan EK, Shrestha SR, Connor PB, Dali SM, Christian P, Pokhrel RP, Sommer A. Double blind, cluster randomised trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal. The NNIPS-2 Study Group. BMJ. 1999;318(7183):570-5..PubMedUsed to support: Main report of the same NNIPS-2 cluster-randomized trial in rural, undernourished Nepal; gives the weekly beta-carotene dose (42 mg, 7000 micrograms retinol equivalents) used in the illness-symptom analysis. Generic beta-carotene, not this brand.
  7. Santos MS, Meydani SN, Leka L, Wu D, Fotouhi N, Meydani M, Hennekens CH, Gaziano JM. Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-carotene supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;64(5):772-7..PubMedUsed to support: Cross-sectional, placebo-controlled substudy of the Physicians' Health Study (59 men): 10 to 12 years of 50 mg beta-carotene on alternate days was linked to higher NK cell activity in elderly men (65 to 86) but not middle-aged men. A lab marker, generic beta-carotene. Backs the NK cell sentence of the immune-support benefit.
  8. Hemilä H, Virtamo J, Albanes D, Kaprio J. Physical activity and the common cold in men administered vitamin E and beta-carotene. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(11):1815-20..PubMedUsed to support: Cohort of 14,401 working male smokers aged 50 to 69 from the ATBC trial (20 mg/day beta-carotene in a 2 x 2 factorial design with vitamin E). In men with physically load-bearing jobs, beta-carotene did not significantly change common cold risk; in men doing heavy leisure exercise it increased cold risk vs placebo. Generic beta-carotene, not this brand. Counterweight in the immune-support benefit showing no cold benefit in male smokers.