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Over the last few years a number of articles have appeared on the increase in skin diseases. One of the causes could be that the way people spend their free time is changing. The trend is towards more and more outdoor activities; scientists are of the opinion that the increased exposure to the sun plays a role in the appearance of certain skin diseases. Investigations show that UV-radiation over a longer period disturbs the immunity system of the skin temporarily and sometimes even permanently. This is caused by certain rapidly reactive intermediate oxygen compounds that act independently in the breathing process, more usually known as free radicals. These free radicals can immobilise body cells, because they change the protein structure of the cells, damage fatty acids in the walls of the cells or attack the genetic nucleus. Every cell has to sustain many of these attacks daily. The body reacts to the attack of free radicals with an anti-oxydant enzyme protection system. Often the strain from outside is stronger than the natural defence of the body. Anti-oxydants such as beta carotene improve cell protection. They catch the free radicals and pin them down before they can penetrate the cells. In people who suffer from skin diseases caused by UV-radiation, a marked fall of beta carotene levels in the blood can nearly always be noticed.
Beta carotene is stored in the fat cells of the skin; in this way beta carotene is able to give support to the skin's natural protective abilities; one of these abilities is the absorption of light waves. Energetic free radicals, that appear through UV-radiation, can thus be caught and neutralised. Beta carotene also plays an important role in the human organism as what is known as a pre-vitamin (the predecessor of vitamin A). If need be, the body can build vitamin A from beta carotene. This self regulating process prevents an overdose of vitamin A, even when there is a high intake of carotene.
Beta carotene belongs to a group of substances that is widespread in nature. Because it is present in plants, it is usually taken in with our food. The most important sources for people are green and yellow vegetables, of which carrots and spinach have a very high carotene level. Many foodstuffs loose a large part of the carotene if they are heated (cooked), stored over a long time or in a light place or if they are not eaten together with the necessary fats. Often the reduced amount of carotene, taken in with the food, is not sufficient any more to protect the cells and an additional intake of beta carotene is needed.
In case of exposure to the sun over a longer period one should on no account go without special sun lotion with a high protection factor. Especially when one has sensitive skin one should start to take beta carotene capsules about six weeks before the beginning of the holiday. During holidays in the mountains, at the sea shore or a prolonged stay in Mediterranean countries a daily intake of beta carotene as food supplement is recommended.
