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[kismet]

I know "heliocare oral" (60 caps á 240mg PLE) can be had in Austria. I don't like the betacarotene content though (1,6 mg/cap), because I've not seen any positive data on higher doses of betacarotene and it's very easy to get it from your diet. I am mostly worried by the study discussed in [1].
Even if it prevents sunburn, I am now going to take a look at [2] and report back *, I don't want sun protection and the cost of increased risk for other diseases...
Lycopene, albeit also a controversial substance, seems to be much safer and better suited for supplementation.

Does anyone of you guys know of other PLE brands that I could get in Europe? Any brands cheaper than Heliocare, it's not exactly the cheapest way to get ~2-3 SPF - at least it's on your whole body, including eyes right?.

I agree with your post from back then:

*snip*
Because I haven´t seen any credible studies showing a benefit of supplemental carotenoids. They´re either neutral or negative (increased morbidity). Lycopene and luteine may have some benefits in supplemental form, but as for now I prefer to get them in a food matrix, there may be other synergistic molecules. And unlike supplements, fruit and vegetables show decreased morbidity.

*damn it's not available via my university, fredrik or someone else who has access would you be so kind as to provide me the study via the members section (I can open a request thread there)/PM/upload here... sorry forget it, it seems I've found the full article via google. http://findarticles....ag=artBody;col1

[1] http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=23438&st=0&#entry253086
http://carcin.oxford...t/full/26/5/991
[2] Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Mar-Apr;84(2):284-8. Epub 2007 Dec 15.
Protection from sunburn with beta-Carotene--a meta-analysis.
Köpcke W, Krutmann J.

Edited by kismet, 14 December 2008 - 06:49 PM.

[kismet]

As expected, supplemental betacarotene is pretty useless, at least at this dose. Most if not all of the studies analysed in the meta-study started at 15mg supplemental betacarotene, but 20mg supplemental betacoretene already puts smokers at an increased risk for lung cancer. [1] That is very concerning, the addition of betacortene is really a waste either way, I suggest either get it from diet or don't use it all.

[1] http://ods.od.nih.go...ts/vitamina.asp

EDIT:
Just found an older discussion on the topic http://www.imminst.o...howtopic=22476#
So it seems there are not really many cheap alternatives and some people have already voiced their concern about the betacarotene in the European version of Heliocare.

Edited by kismet, 14 December 2008 - 08:51 PM.