Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Carotene interacts with smoking and drinking

Beta-carotene has been known for years to have cancer-fighting properties. But a recent study at Dartmouth University has shown that this anti-cancer effect becomes a pro-cancer effect when beta-carotene is used by people who both smoke and drink alcohol.

Media reports about this study show a peculiar double focus: some reports say that smoking and drinking reverse the benefits of beta-carotene; others say that beta-carotene increases the cancer risk for smokers and drinkers. Apparently, some writers see the patients in the study as beta-carotene users who are being harmed by smoking and drinking, whereas the other writers consider the patients to be smokers and drinkers who are being harmed by beta-carotene.

Link to news article about beta-carotene users harmed by smoking and drinking:

Smoking, drinking may reverse supplement anti-cancer effect

Link to news article about smokers and drinkers harmed by beta-carotene:

Researchers warn over food supplement