In reference to : I'm also not sure, however, if they meant carotenes, which are often misleadingly labeled as vitamin A, or pure vitamin A (retinol) I think they meant carotenes from carrots, etc. I'm trying to de-congest my liver using Chinese Bitters, and gold coin grass, and was advised by Julia Chang that I should eat mostly cooked, warm foods, and never or rarely raw and especially cold foods. I steam vegetables in a steamer, and save the liquid which I add to slow cooker chicken and beef stews. I think this is a fairly good way to retain nutrients. She's also recommended that I not eat bananas, tomatoes, or citrus fruits, because according to her and Chinese medicine, they weaken the spleen. Joe R.