It helps your body eliminate potential cancers, protects the entire cardiovascular system with its ability to scavenge free radicals. Olson JA, Krinsky NI. Daily supplements containing up to 120 mg of lycopene have been used safely for up to one year. On November 8, 2005, FDA issued letters of enforcement discretion for these qualified health claims 33). Prostate cancer. Now, in a report just published in the journal Neurology, a team of Finnish researchers has linked lycopene levels in the blood to stroke protection 26). It may also help to protect against cancer of the breast, cervix, pancreas, esophagus, and colon and rectum. Lycopene bioavailability has been observed to be highly variable, which may lead to varying biological effects after lycopene consumption. Based on the above, FDA concludes that there is no credible evidence supporting a relationship between tomato or tomato-based food consumption and lung cancer. It is accepted that lycopene can help reduce blood LDL cholesterol (the \"bad\" cholesterol). Other studies have not found this link. The lycopene connection was even stronger (59%) when it came to protecting against strokes due to blood clots (the most common kind) 27). Lycopene may protect against cardiovascular disease by decreasing cholesterol synthesis and increasing the degradation of low-density lipoproteins 8), although some interventional studies have shown mixed results 9). Some evidence suggests that having higher lycopene blood levels is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. The appropriate dose of lycopene depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. However, in other research, taking lycopene daily for up to one year did not seem to help treat prostate cancer. In another study, there was no difference in plasma lycopene levels following consumption of tomatoes mixed with olive oil or tomatoes mixed with sunflower oil, suggesting that absorption of lycopene may not be dependent on the type of oil used. This pigment is an acrylic isomer of beta carotene and it is synthesized by plants and microorganisms. Research on the effects of lycopene in people with asthma is inconsistent. Lycopene is in foods we often consume, including tomatoes, grapefruit, and watermelon and can increase immune system defenses. Lycopene health benefits include treating neurological disorder, preventing stroke, supporting immune system, preventing macular degeneration, alleviating osteoporosis, fighting diabetes, treating prostate cancer, controlling cholesterol level, treating infertility, and promoting hair growth. Getting back to your question once again, regular consumption of lycopene benefits women as much as men. There are numerous studies on the uses of lycopene in treating cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Symptoms of menopause. To treat inflammation of the mouth, 16 milligrams of lycopene has been taken by mouth daily in two divided doses for two months 49). Is found in particularly high levels in tomatoes and tomato products. https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm072760.htm, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In North America, 85% of dietary lycopene comes from tomato products such as tomato juice or paste. FDA further concluded that there was no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for lycopene, as a food ingredient, component of food, or as a dietary supplement, and a reduced risk of any of these cancers. When adverse effects occurred, they tended to present as gastrointestinal symptoms and, in one study, the symptoms resolved when lycopene was taken with meals. To treat mouth sores, LycoRed®, containing 4-8 milligrams of lycopene, has been taken by mouth daily for three months in two divided doses 48). Lycopene antioxidant effect is twice as high as that of beta carotene and ten times higher than that of alpha tocopherol. However, studies vary as to the effectiveness of lycopene. The powerful antioxidant properties of lycopene fight free radicals and oxidative stress. The recommended intake is at least 10mg of lycopene per day—from food. Harvard Medical School. Introduction: the colorful, fascinating world of the carotenoids: important physiologic modulators. In this group of patients, the tumors were found to be much smaller and less invasive than in men who did not supplement with lycopene. The antioxidant properties of lycopene protects you by inhibiting the formation of blood clots, which is the primary reason behind strokes. The bioavailability of lycopene has been examined and demonstrated in several studies relating lycopene to prostate cancer and other diseases. Lycopene shows antioxidant and anticancer properties. Early research shows that taking a specific combination of lycopene, selenium, and saw palmetto by mouth for 8 weeks reduces pain in men with prostate swelling and pelvic pain compared to saw palmetto alone. Neither case-control study found a relationship between tomato or pizza consumption and colorectal cancer risk reduction. 2nd ed. Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer. The substance called lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants. There is also early evidence that higher lycopene blood levels can reduce the risk of heart disease associated with hardening of the arteries. To treat heart disease, lycopene has been taken by mouth in the form of tomato products, capsules, and Lyc-O-Mato® in doses of 39.2-80 milligram doses daily for 1-12 weeks 43). Lycopene is found in tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, pink guavas papaya, and rosehip. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008007.pub2/abstract, Kavanaugh CJ, Trumbo PR, Ellwood KC: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s evidence-based review for qualified health claims: tomatoes, lycopene, and cancer. Research about how lycopene affects the risk of cervical cancer is inconsistent. Lycopene is likely safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. Lycopene. The evidence for a relationship between tomato or tomato-based food consumption and reduced risk of colorectal cancer is based on two case-control studies from the United States and Italy. The man in the Harvard study with the greatest protection against cancer consumed at least 6.5 mg per day. The evidence for a relationship between tomato intake and reduced risk of breast cancer is based on two case control studies. Taking lycopene does not seem to reduce asthma symptoms in adults with stable asthma. 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