Beta-Carotene Protects Against Sunburn

MUNSTER, Germany— Munster University Hospital, Germany, researchers Wolfgang Köpcke and Jean Krutmann released a meta-analysis showing beta-carotene supplementation protects against sunburn (Photochem Photobio. 2008;84(2):284-288) (DOI:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00253.x). Data were abstracted from seven studies on beta-carotene and its ability to protect against sunburn by means of standardized data collection protocol. The meta-analysis indicated the study duration had a significant influence on the effected size. Regression plot analysis revealed sun protection required a minimum of 10 weeks of supplementation with a mean increase of the protective effect of 0.5 standard deviations with every additional month of supplementation.