Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment -- the most common carotenoid in the body. It is also one of the most powerful carotenoid antioxidants. Reddish, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables get their hue from lycopene.
Why consume lycopene
Lycopene provides heart health protection and prevents hardening of the arteries, a disease known as atherosclerosis. People also take lycopene because it helps protect against different types of cancers, such as prostate, breast, lung, bladder, ovaries, pancreas, and colon. The antioxidant is used to treat the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is one of the top risk factors for developing uterine cancer. Lycopene is also used by asthma and cataract patients.
Primary uses
Heart disease prevention
Inflammation
Fungal and bacterial infections
Diabetes mellitus
Cancer prevention (prostate, colon, breast, lung, ovary, bladder, and pancreas)
Cognitive function
HPV treatment
Atherosclerosis
Breast cancer recurrence and prevention
Cataracts
Pancreatitis
Stroke prevention
Asthma
Enlargement of the prostate
Recommended dose
Tomato juice
There is no specific dosage recommendation for lycopene. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) depends on a variety of factors, including gender, age, and health condition. Americans get 85% of their total lycopene from tomatoes, and products made from them. One cup of tomato juice has 23mg of the antioxidant.
It is safe to take 30mg of lycopene for eight weeks.
Sources
Tomatoes (as well as tomato juice and paste, ketchup, and other tomato-based products)
Pink guava
Pink grapefruit
Apricot
Watermelon
Red Oranges
How it works
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. In lab testing, lycopene fights toxins.
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. In lab testing, lycopene fights toxins.
While herbs and supplements are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database does classify these substances by effectiveness.
Effectiveness
According to the National Institutes of Health, the only health issue lycopene is "likely effective for" is the treatment of lycopene deficiency.[2]
There isn't enough evidence to recommend lycopene for:
Cancer prevention (prostate, colon, breast, bladder, pancreatic, rectal, lung, and ovarian)
Eye problems, including cataracts
HPV
Exercise-induced asthma
Enlargement of the prostate
Research results are mixed regarding the use of lycopene for:
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Heart disease
Cervical cancer
Immune system stimulation
White precancerous patches in the mouth
Hardening of the arteries
Lycopene is "possibly ineffective" for:
Post-exercise lung function
Diabetes prevention
Medication interactions
If you are on any medications, talk to your doctor before taking lycopene supplements. Do not take lycopene with beta-carotene.
Safety concerns and side effects
Lycopene powder
Lycopene is safe when taken in proper doses. Lycopene from food sources is generally safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use lycopene supplements, though. Experts suggest avoiding lycopene if you have prostate cancer.[2]
Deficiency
A lycopene deficiency occurs when your lycopene (and other carotenoids) intake is inadequate. But it can take a number of years before you will see repercussions, including the development chronic diseases, such as different types of cancer or heart disease. Deficiency can wreak havoc on the body because low antioxidant intake increases your exposure to damaging free radicals.[5]
Toxicity
Consuming too much lycopene does not seem to have any adverse or harmful effects. The only downside to eating too much of the carotenoid is that it can discolor your skin, a condition known as lycopenodermia. For this reason, the Institute of Medicine did not establish a tolerable upper limit intake (UL) for lycopene.
Considerations
Unlike other herbs and supplements, which can lose their potency and health benefits when cooked or heated, the antioxidants in lycopene actually amp up under these conditions because heat changes the shape of the lycopene molecule. Adding oil during the cooking process even improves absorption.
Lycopene molecule
Where to buy
PricePlow does not sell lycopene, but we do aggregate the information you need to research the best lycopene prices and supplement manufacturers.
References
- WebMD.com; "Lycopene"
- National Institutes of Health; MedlinePlus; "Lycopene;" 2011
- Mayo Clinic; "Lycopene"
- Melissa L. Welter; The Effects of Lycopene on Your Health
- Emily Caldwell; The Ohio State University; "Turning up the Heat on Tomatoes Boosts Absorption of Lycopene;" 2008
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