http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/synthetic-beta-carotene-does-not-work.aspxBeta carotene was first suggested as a protection against illness when studies found that people with who ate lots of fruits and vegetables containing the nutrient were at lower risk of cancer and heart disease. Patients who regularly took beta caroteneenCommunityServer 2008.5 SP1 (Build: 31106.3070)