beta-carotene and Constipation

Breath tests are quick, noninvasive, simple to perform and reliable. In particular in patients with diarrhea, bloating, nausea and uncharacteristic abdominal symptoms, the H2 breath test is highly useful. Using this procedure, malabsorption of various different carbohydrates, the absorptive performance of the upper abdominal tract, the orocecal transit time, or bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel, can be determined. Using 24-hour pH-metry, the acidity in the stomach and esophagus can be measured, and reflux disease, for example, diagnosed. Today, elevated fat in the stool is detected on the basis of the beta carotene level in the serum. Further function tests for the detection of pancreatic insufficiency, such as the determination of fecal pancreatic elastase, are also available.

Topics: beta Carotene; Breath Tests; Constipation; Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System; Diarrhea; Esophageal pH Monitoring; Family Practice; Feces; Gastric Acidity Determination; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Malabsorption Syndromes; Pancreatic Elastase; Pancreatic Function Tests

Topics: Abdominal Pain; beta Carotene; Bezoars; Constipation; Daucus carota; Dietary Fiber; Female; Gastroscopy; Humans; Ileum; Middle Aged; Skin; Skin Pigmentation; Stomach; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vegetables

In this case report, the authors describe a 48-year-old male who complained to his primary care physician of abdominal discomfort and yellow/orange skin discoloration. Physical examination was normal except for some mild mid-abdominal discomfort (no observed skin color changes). An abdominal CT scan indicated a colon that was full of stool. Laboratory studies indicated elevated liver enzymes. Upon further questioning, the patient reported ingesting 6-7 pounds of carrots per week to facilitate his dieting effort. The patient was diagnosed with constipation, hypercarotinemia, and possible vitamin A toxicity. Following the cessation of excessive carrot ingestion, his liver enzymes normalized within 1 month.

Topics: beta Carotene; Constipation; Daucus carota; Diet; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Humans; Hypervitaminosis A; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Twenty-five children with chronic constipation underwent serial monitoring of serum beta-carotene, retinol (vitamin A1), and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels during mineral oil therapy. Mineral oil was administered between meals. Patients were monitored for up to four months of therapy. Mean serum beta-carotene levels fell from 1.0 +/- 0.5 mumol/L (55.7 +/- 26.0 micrograms/dL) to 0.7 +/- 0.4 mumol/L (35.9 +/- 22.1 micrograms/dL) after the first month of mineral oil therapy and remained depressed throughout the remainder of the study. Serum alpha-tocopherol levels remained unchanged throughout the observation period. There was a modest increase in serum retinol levels during the study, especially after three months (from 1.48 +/- 0.84 mumol/L [42.3 +/- 24.1 micrograms/dL] to 2.22 +/- 0.77 mumol/L [63.5 +/- 22.1 micrograms/dL]). We conclude that while a short course of mineral oil can induce a reduction in the serum level of beta-carotene, the treatment has no adverse effect on serum levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol.

Topics: Adolescent; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Child; Child, Preschool; Constipation; Humans; Infant; Mineral Oil; Vitamin A; Vitamin E