One advantage of beta-carotene supplements over vitamin A pills is that one is unlikely to OD on the former. Vitamin A is somewhat toxic. People have occasionally been made ill (possibly even poisoned) by eating polar bear liver, which is extremely high in vitamin A. Another name for vitamin A is retinol (or a retinoid mixture), cf., retina.
One advantage of beta-carotene supplements over vitamin A pills is that one is unlikely to OD on the former. Vitamin A is somewhat toxic. People have occasionally been made ill (possibly even poisoned) by eating polar bear liver, which is extremely high in vitamin A. Another name for vitamin A is retinol (or a retinoid mixture), cf., retina.