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-=| Beta Carotene |=-
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Beta carotene is an orange  pigment and a  powerful  antioxidant.  It
snuffs  out free radicals (the  things you have been reading about so
much lately) and renegade chemicals that cause disease and aging.

Beta carotene is converted in the body to Vitamin A.  In leafy, green
vegetables, chlorophyll masks the orange pigment.

Some super sources of beta carotene are sweet potatoes, carrots, pum-
kin, dried  apricots, cantaloupe, winter squash,  spinach  (ugh), and
collard greens.

There is currently no RDA, but some experts take supplements (10-30mg
per day) in  addition to eating at least five servings  of fruits and
vegetables a day.  However,  a pill is  a poor substitute for a sweet
potato.  What happens if you get too much?   The worst result is that
your palms and soles may turn yellow.

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-=| Squashing Illness |=-
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Eating beta carotene may help save you from cancers, especially those
tied to smoking.