Hi,

I have no knowledge as to the amount of beta-carotene.  But some people
have suggested an explanation as to why the beta-carotene study showed
more cancers when smokers were supplemented with beta-carotene:

" Finally, taking one antioxidant to the exclusion of others may even be
dangerous. Once an individual antioxidant neutralizes a free radical, it
becomes a weak free radical itself. Unless it can be "recycled" by other
antioxidants, its beneficial effects are lost, and it may even become
harmful. This may be one reason why in two large studies, high doses of
beta-carotene increased the risk of lung cancer in smokers. If fresh
supplies of vitamins C and E had been present, they might have recycled
the beta-carotene and prevented it from becoming a cancer-causing free
radical."
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/print/view/1,1560,AR_23,00.html

The concept they use is "antioxidant network" meaning antioxidants help
each other and 'recycle' each other.  This woman's regimen consisted of
several antioxidants.  Maybe the person who prescribed the regimen is
basing it on this.  Maybe such high amounts are safer when accompanied
with these other antioxidants like vitamin C vitamin E selenium?  I
don't know.

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html