What happens if you overdose on carotene

These side effects are much more serious and may include: Hypervitaminosis A: According to PubMed Health , high doses of beta carotene supplements may lead to too much vitamin A in the body. This can cause serious and potentially dangerous side effects including visual disturbances, bone pain, dizziness, drowsiness, liver damage, skin problems, headache, nausea and vomiting. Lung Cancer: Although some studies show beta carotene may reduce cancer risk, smokers or people exposed to asbestos should avoid taking beta carotene supplements.

This is because some clinical trials determined that smokers who take beta carotene supplements -- even in low doses -- may have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Loose Stools: UMM mentions loose stools as a potential side effect of too much beta carotene.

Increased Risk of Death: Medline Plus states that studies show taking high doses of beta carotene supplements may increase the overall risk of death from all causes. Bruising and Joint Pain : The Mayo Clinic reports that too much beta carotene supplementation may result in unusual bleeding, bruising or joint pain. Where It's Found Although beta carotene is a carotenoid responsible for giving some foods a reddish-orange or yellow color, it's also found in leafy greens and some whole grains.

Get Beta Carotene from Foods Beta carotene is an important antioxidant that supports immunity, vision and bone health.

By Dr. Vilma Ruddock. Sometimes toxicity results from taking special formulations of high-dose vitamin A to treat severe acne or other skin disorders.

A smaller dose can cause toxicity in infants, sometimes within a few weeks. If children accidentally take a very high dose, toxicity may develop quickly. Consuming large amounts of carotenoids which the body converts to vitamin A in food does not cause toxicity because carotenoids are converted to vitamin A very slowly.

Usually, no symptoms occur. However, when very large amounts of carotenoids are consumed, the skin may turn a deep yellow called carotenosis , especially on the palms and soles. High-dose supplements of beta-carotene may increase the risk of cancer, but carotenoids consumed in fruits and vegetables do not seem to increase this risk. Consuming too much vitamin A over a long period of time can cause coarse hair, partial loss of hair including the eyebrows , cracked lips, and dry, rough skin.

Chronic consumption of large doses of vitamin A can cause liver damage. It can also cause birth defects in a fetus. Later symptoms include severe headaches and general weakness. Bone and joint pain are common, especially among children. Fractures may occur easily, especially in older people. Children may lose their appetite and not grow and develop normally. Their skin may itch.

Reviewed by Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. Sylvie Tremblay, MSc. Sylvie Tremblay holds a Master of Science in molecular and cellular biology, and has years of experience as a cancer researcher and geneticist. Meg Campbell. Meg Campbell is a wellness expert with nearly two decades of experience as a fitness coach, group exercise instructor, and nutrition specialist. She began her full-time freelance writing career in , and writes extensively about nutrition, health, and medicine.

Campbell divides her time between the United States and Argentina. Yes, you can eat too many carrots. The beta-carotene can build up in the blood, and in a condition called carotenemia, it can actually cause your skin to start turning yellow and orange. Babies are the most at-risk for carotenemia, because they're often fed pureed carrot baby food, but adults can get it too, either by taking too many beta-carotene supplements, or by eating too many carrots.

Columbia University says you'd have to eat three large carrots a day for carotenemia to set it. Eating too much pumpkin can cause the same ailment, but there's an easy solution — just stop eating so much carrots and pumpkin and your skin discoloration will go away, though it may take a few months via Taste of Home. Carotenemia isn't dangerous, but for some people, eating too many carrots can be.