Lycopene

Recently Answered

• QWhat is lycopene?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A Dole Nutrition Institute answered

  Lycopene is a carotenoid that promotes heart health by preventing LDL (bad) cholesterol oxidation and reducing inflammation, which is a marker of heart disease. Harvard University researchers have found that eating seven or more servings per week of tomatoes (including tomato sauce) might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30 percent.
  
  Studies also indicate that this colorful carotenoid may keep the prostate healthy and lower the risk of ovarian, cervical, oral, skin, pharyngeal, esophageal, bladder, stomach, colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancers. In fact, researchers in India gave 8 milligrams of pure lycopene to 40 men with high-grade precursors to prostate cancer. After one year, their blood levels of a marker for prostate cancer dropped by half, while those for the control group increased by a quarter. In a study at the University of Manchester in England, eating lycopene-rich tomatoes resulted in 33 percent more protection against sunburn. Lycopene may even enhance male fertility by improving sperm concentration and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well.
  
  Top dietary sources of lycopene include tomato juice (canned), tomatoes (raw and cooked), watermelon, and ketchup.

  See All 4 Answers
• QWhy should I eat more lycopene?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  Research has shown that one particular antioxidant -- lycopene -- may play a powerful part in reducing the risk for a heart attack. Studies showed that men who had the highest amount of lycopene in their body fat were half as likely to suffer a heart attack than those with the least amount.
• QWhat are good sources of lycopene?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Dawn Marcus , Neurology, answered

  Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an important antioxidant linked to reduced risk for cancer and heart disease. Interestingly, you'll get stronger protection from your heart by eating tomatoes compared with taking supplements rich in lycopene. Tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato puree, and even ketchup are great sources of lycopene. Cooking tomatoes increases the release of lycopene, so you'll actually get more lycopene from eating cooked tomatoes or tomato products rather than raw tomatoes. Interestingly, eating tomato products with fats increases the amount of lycopene your body can absorb -- so combinations like spaghetti and meatballs, cheese lasagna, and pizza can boost the amount of this important antioxidant.

  See All 4 Answers
• QWho should use lycopene?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene is found naturally in the human body and is generally considered safe for consumption through food products. Anyone who is interested in supporting general health and well-being and preventing cancer should be consuming fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and payapa. No studies have concretely determined the definitive causal relationship between an increase in lycopene and specific changes in the body, but many studies have shown that diets rich in lycopene seem to improve prostate, cardiovascular, and eye health, and general well-being. Doctors do not usually diagnose 'lycopene deficiency' but if you have benign prostate hyperplasia, exercise induced asthma, macular degeneration, hypertension, or gingivitis, increasing your lycopene intake could prove beneficial. If you are considering a lycopene supplement, you may want to consult your doctor first.
  
  
• QWhat dosage of lycopene supplement is typically used for adults?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene should usually be consumed through food sources, but lycopene is available in softgel and capsule form, and is often included in multivitamin and mineral compounds. Manufacturers might recommend dosages ranging from 10 to 30 mg twice daily, but dosages administered during clinical studies have measured from 13 to 75 mg per day. Lypocene is available in commercial products like Lyco-O-Pen and Lyc-O-Mato with recommended dosage ranging from 2-30 mg daily.
• QWhat is lycopene used for?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene is an antioxidant used in the body primarily to fight the cell damage caused by free radicals that lead to illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Lycopene also helps to fight asthma related inflammation, diabetes, skin problems, and dental conditions like gingivitis. Lycopene also helps to fight cell damage from environmental and food-borne toxins, like smoking and sunburn.
  
  
• QHow does lycopene work?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene is an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals. Lycopene is not water soluble and is resistant to breakdown caused by heat, which makes the lycopene more available to the body. Although direct correlation of lycopene and treatment or prevention of disease has not been firmly established, lycopene appears to support cardiovascular, eye, and prostate health as well as promoting general well-being and fighting disease.
  
  
• QAre there any risks in using lycopene?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene is most commonly consumed through fruits and vegetables and is considered safe. Risks include any allergic reactions to tomatoes or lycopene. Tomatoes may sometimes cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and might irritate ulcers. The risks of using lycopene supplements at doses larger than obtained through food consumption have not been studied enough to be absolutely certain.
  
  
• QWhat should I know before taking lycopene?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene may interact with certain medications used to treat cancer and bacterial infections. The safety of lycopene supplements has not been thoroughly studied. Review of available scientific literature finds tomatoes, tomato-based products and lycopene supplements generally well tolerated. However, rare reports of diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or cramps, gas, vomiting and loss of appetite have been reported. Tomatoes and tomato-based products may be acidic and irritate stomach ulcers. Lycopene has been associated with death from a cancer-related hemorrhage, although causality is unclear.
  
  
• QWho should not use lycopene?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Lycopene should not be consumed if you are allergic to the food or product that contains lycopene. If you have a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal conditions that are irritated by products that contain lycopene, particularly tomatoes, you should not use those products. If you are being treated for cancer, you should consult with your doctor regarding the possible interactions. Lycopene is not recommended as a supplement for children.