Wizard of Vitamins

Lycopene Vitamin

What is Lycopene?

Lycopene, found primarily in tomatoes, is a member of the carotenoid family which includes beta-carotene and similar compounds found naturally in food and has potent antioxidant capabilities.

Lycopene in Diets

Tomatoes and tomato-containing foods are high in lycopene. In the Harvard study, the only tomato-based food that did not correlate with protection was tomato juice. In an unblinded, controlled trial, lycopene supplementation, but not tomato juice, effectively increased the body’s lycopene stores. These studies suggest that the lycopene present in tomato juice is poorly absorbed. However, other research indicates that significant amounts of lycopene from tomato juice can, in fact, be absorbed. Other foods that contain lycopene include watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guava.

Lycopene Medicinal Treatments

Asthma, exercise-induced Preeclampsia Prostate cancer Sunburn Atherosclerosis (prevention only) Cancer risk reduction Immune function Macular degeneration

Known Consequences of Lycopene Deficiency

This is unknown, but people who do not eat diets high in tomatoes or tomato products are likely to consume less than optimal amounts.

Lycopene Recommended Dosages

The ideal intake of lycopene is currently unknown; however, the men in the Harvard study with the greatest protection against cancer consumed at least 6.5 mg per day.

Lycopene Side Effects

No adverse effects have been reported with the use of lycopene. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with lycopene.