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AIM Just Carrots® in the UK

Beta-carotene and vitamin A

The body changes beta-carotene found in these foods into vitamin A, which is important in strengthening the immune system and promoting healthy cell growth, including reproductive functioning. Vitamin A helps cells reproduce normally—a process called differentiation (cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes). For this reason, beta-carotene, as a precursor to vitamin A, has become widely accepted as a natural antioxidant.

Vitamin A plays an important role in vision by helping to maintain the mucosal linings of the eyes, and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. Although vitamin A deficiency blindness is relatively rare in North America, a vitamin A deficiency may result in making the cornea very dry and promoting damage to the retina and cornea.

Vitamin A also contributes toward good respiratory, urinary, and intestinal health by protecting mucous membranes. When these linings break down, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection. Some researchers think that vitamin A helps lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infections. In this way, vitamin A may contribute toward boosting the immune system.

“Results of two national surveys, the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III 1988-91) (1, 21) and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII 1994) (1, 22), suggested that dietary intakes of some Americans do not meet recommended levels for vitamin A.

These surveys highlight the importance of encouraging all Americans to include dietary sources of vitamin A in their daily diets.” (U.S. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, October 6, 2003).

The following groups of people may find natural sources of vitamin A helpful in their diets:

•  vegetarians who may have limited vitamin A intake from dairy sources, or those who consume too few beta-carotene containing vegetables
• those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol since alcohol intake may deplete vitamin A stores within the body
•  toddlers and preschool children, including children with inadequate general health care, as well as those living in environments where nutritional deficiencies are present
•  anyone with intestinal fat digestion and absorption difficulties, or those who’ve experienced chronic diarrhea or intestinal flu
•  anyone with insufficient intake of protein, calories, and zinc in their daily diets, since these nutrients are required for the body to mobilize vitamin A from the liver to the circulatory system.

Antioxidants

Beta-carotene is much more than just a natural source of vitamin A; it is also an important antioxidant.

Only so much beta-carotene can be changed into vitamin A, and that which is not changed contributes to boosting the immune system. Antioxidants fight free radicals and help prevent them from causing membrane damage, DNA mutation, and lipid (fat) oxidation, all of which may lead to many of the diseases that we consider “degenerative,” such as cataract or macular degeneration of the eye, heart disease, or cancer.

Alpha-carotene often overlooked

Beta-carotene is not the only antioxidant that is found in carrots. Often overlooked, and also found in carrots, is alpha-carotene. According to an article in Cancer Research (1992), Dr. Michiaki Murakoshi, who leads a team of biochemists at Japan’s Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, contends that alpha-carotene is very protective against spontaneous liver cancer and two-stage lung cancer in mice, and more importantly, protective against the proliferation of human malignant tumor cells. In the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1989), Dr. Murakoshi reported alpha-carotene to be about ten times more protective against cancer than beta-carotene. Dr. Murakoshi concludes that all types of carotenoids should be studied for possible health benefits.

Lutein associated with eye health Lutein is another antioxidant in the carotenoid family, and is found in carrots. Lutein is the primary carotenoid present in the central area of the retina (called the macula) of the eye. Scientists think that lutein may act as a filler to protect the macula from potentially damaging forms of light (sunlight triggers oxidative damage to the macula). Lutein, therefore, may be helpful in defending against age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in older adults.

Researchers have also found a suggested link between low dietary intake of lutein and the risk of cataract.

Results are preliminary and research is ongoing to study the correlation between carotenoids, such as lutein, and the long-term associated protection of vision.

How to use AIM Just Carrots®

• Powder: Take 1 tbsp once per day. Mix with water, juice, or other products of the AIM Garden Trio®. Caplets: Take 12 caplets once per day. You may take more or less depending on your needs.
• For best results, place AIM Just Carrots® powder dry under the tongue. Drink AIM Just Carrots® juice immediately after mixing it.
• AIM Just Carrots® is best taken on an empty stomach: 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Close tightly after opening and store in a cool, dry, dark place (70-75 °F; 20.1-23.8 °C). Do not refrigerate.
• You may mix AIM Just Carrots® with other AIM products, except AIM Herbal Fiberblend®. Take AIM Herbal Fiberblend® 1 hour before or 30 minutes after taking AIM Just Carrots® powder.

Q & A

Can I take too much beta-carotene?

• Beta-carotene is nontoxic and does not appear to affect health apart from strengthening the immune system. This is unlike synthetic vitamin A supplements, which can be toxic in large doses. People who take exceptionally large quantities of beta-carotene may experience a change in skin tone known as carotenemia. This condition gives the skin a golden tone and is not harmful.

Are the carrots in AIM Just Carrots® organically grown?

• Because of varying regulations and environmental conditions, it is difficult to define “organic.” Wind can blow chemicals from far away and acid rain can affect the soil of a field. Some states stipulate that no chemical products could have been used for two years on a field, and other states say three years, for crops grown on it to qualify as organic. The carrots for AIM Just Carrots® are tested for pesticides and herbicides to ensure that AIM Just Carrots® is residue-free.

What can you tell me about the processing used for AIM Just Carrots®?

• AIM Just Carrots® uses a special three-step process. In this process, beneficial heat-sensitive enzymes are not destroyed. This has been validated by testing the enzyme activity of AIM Just Carrots® when reconstituted in water.

AIM Just Carrots® does not taste exactly like carrot juice. Why?

• This is because the process does alter the taste. As stated above, we use this process to ensure that the carrot’s nutrients remain intact. We feel that it is better to have a slightly different (but good!) taste and more nutrients than the same taste as carrot juice and fewer nutrients.

Haven’t some studies indicated that beta-carotene is bad for you?

• The National Institutes of Health states that “provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene are generally considered safe because they are not traditionally associated with adverse health effects.” (The Office of Dietary Supplements, October 6, 2003)
• Some association of beta-carotene with increased risk of lung cancer has been discussed by the healthcare community. But, according to the National Institutes of Health, the results of a 1996 lung cancer study were conflicting and difficult to interpret. Until more is known, some healthcare practitioners recommend limiting beta-carotene and natural sources of vitamin A for cigarette smokers. If you are a heavy smoker, you may wish to consult your healthcare practitioner to determine what is best for you.

Suggested Reading

• Blauer, Stephen. The Juicing Book. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1989.
• Passwater, Richard A., Ph.D. Beta-carotene. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1984.
• Passwater, Richard A., Ph.D. Beta-carotene and Other Carotenoids. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1996.
• Walker, N.W., D.Sc. Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices. Prescott, AZ: Norwalk Press, 1970.