Is Beta-carotene safe during pregnancy?
Beta-carotene from foods like carrots and sweet potatoes is a safe way to get vitamin A in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What the sources say
NIH notes high beta-carotene intake doesn't cause the birth-defect risk linked to preformed vitamin A, and there's no upper limit for beta-carotene; the main harmless effect of very high intake is yellow-orange skin. ACOG lists carrots, leafy greens and sweet potatoes as vitamin A sources in pregnancy, and CDC encourages vitamin A-rich vegetables while breastfeeding. High-dose beta-carotene supplements raised lung cancer risk in smokers and former smokers (NIH).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
beta carotene, provitamin a, carotenoids, e160a, beta-carotene supplement
Sources
- NIH (ODS): Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Consumers
- ACOG: Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.