What is the daily dosage of Beta-Carotene that will result in carotenemia?

Answer:
Several years ago the "safe" amount stated was under 50,000 IUs. I don't know what they are recommending today. The FDA gets involved and then, according to them, because one person goes crazy and takes a humongous amount of a supplement, they say that supplement is dangerous. (Yes, and if I mis-use a knife, it is dangerous too.)That being said, I've taken vitamin A all of my adult life--usually 10,000 to 25,000 IU. If I don't, I can't see well at night and I start getting aches and pains. When I was sick with upper respiratory infections I would take up to 50,000 IU 3 times a day. It helps the body fight infection. Both of my Grandmothers lived their lives taking at least a tablespoon of cod liver oil (vitamin A) a day. They bought the big bottles of it and spooned it out. They both lived healthy long lives.The link below states that cartenemia is not dangerous--it just looks funny. This is what I've always understood. That being said, I think everyone synthesizes vitamin A (beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in our bodies) at a different rate, therefore what is "too much" for one person doesn't bother another person. So what you can do is start off with a little amount (10,000 IU) and work up slowly, very slowly--knowing that it will take your body a little while to respond.

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ask a doctor.

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Fairly high. It takes a combination of dosage and duration of intake. Generally, it may require 100,000 IU per day for weeks to months to produce excessive levels that are visible as skin color changes.Note: smokers should not take high doses of beta-carotene. Two large medical studies suggest high doses (25 mg/day) can increase cancer risks. This caution may only apply to synthetic forms of beta-carotene.

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