Lycopene-A Scientific Overview,What is Lycopene and its sources,Actions and Pharmacology.Tomato Extract Lycopene

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Indications and Usage:Research Summary.

Tomato Extract Lycopene Lycopersicum esculentum extract Natural Tomato Extract CAS:090131-63-8 502-65-8 photo picture image Lycopene may be helpful in preventing and possibly also managing some cancers, particularly prostate cancer, and may confer some protection against cardiovascular disease. Research, though suggestive of these positive effects, is far from conclusive. And there is far too little evidence of efficacy from very preliminary studies to support any indication for lycopene in the management of HIV disease or other immune dysfunction or in the management of neurodegenerative disorders.

 Contradications,Precautions,Adverse Reactions:

 Contradications:Lycopene is contraindicated in those hypersensitive to any component of a lycopene-containing product.

 Precautions:Pregnant women and nursing mothers should obtain their lycopene intake from food sources rather than supplements.

 Interactions with Drugs:

 Cholestyramine: Concomitant intake of cholestyramine and lycopene may decrease the absorption of lycopene.
 Colestipol: Concomitant intake of colestipol and lycopene may decrease the absorption of lycopene.
 Mineral oil: Concomitant intake of mineral oil and lycopene may reduce the absorption of lycopene.
 Orlistat: Orlistat may decrease the absorption of lycopene.

 Interactions with Nutritional Supplements:

 Beta-carotene: Concomitant intake of beta-carotene and lycopene may increase the absorption of lycopene.
 Medium-chain triglycerides: Concomitant intake of medium-chain triglycerides and lycopene may enhance the absorption of lycopene.
 Pectin: Concomitant intake of pectin and lycopene may decrease the absorption of lycopene.

 Interactions with Foods:

 Oils: Dietary oils, such as olive oil, may enhance the absorption of lycopene.
 Olestra: Olestra may reduce the absorption of lycopene.

 Research Summary:

 In a prospective study that followed the eating habits of 47,000 men for six years, a positive correlation was found between tomato-based food consumption and apparent resistance to development of prostate cancer. There was a 35% reduction in risk of developing prostate cancer among those who consumed more than 10 servings of tomato products weekly, compared with those who consumed fewer than 1.5 servings weekly. Most of these servings (82%) were in the form of tomatoes, tomato sauce and pizza. Tomato sauce appeared to be the most protective.

 This study reinforced the findings of an earlier prospective study that examined the eating habits of Seventh Day Adventist men over a six-year period. This study found that the relative risk of prostate cancer was 0.60 among Adventist men who ate tomatoes more than five times weekly, compared with those who consumed them less than once weekly.

 A recent review of 72 studies found 57 reports of inverse associations between tomato consumption or blood lycopene levels and risk of various types of cancer; 35 of these associations were significant. Evidence of lycopene protective effects were highest for cancers of the prostate, lung and stomach.

 While cautioning that these associations do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship, the reviewer observed that "the consistency of the results across numerous studies in diverse populations, for case-control and prospective studies, and for dietary-based and blood-based investigations argues against bias or confounding as the explanation for these findings."

 Recently, more direct, though still preliminary, evidence emerged suggestive of lycopene protective and, perhaps, interventive effects in prostate cancer. In this study, 33 men scheduled for surgery to remove cancerous prostate glands, were randomized to receive 30 milligrams of lycopene (in two 15-milligram capsules) daily or nothing. Dosing commenced 30 days prior to surgery.

 Examination of the prostate glands post-surgery revealed that cancer had spread to the very edge of the glands in seven of the 21 lycopene-treated subjects compared with the same extent of spread in 9 of the 12 subjects who did not receive lycopene. Pre-cancerous tissue in the lycopene group was judged to be less abnormal than pre-cancerous tissue in the group that did not receive lycopene. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) fell 20% in the lycopene group between initial dosing and surgery. PSA levels were unchanged in the group not receiving lycopene. Research is ongoing.

 Recent epidemiological studies have reported an inverse relationship between higher tissue and serum levels of lycopene and the risk of coronary artery disease. And a recent study in which 19 healthy subjects consumed a variety of tomato products for three weeks reported no change in serum cholesterol levels but significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and LDL-cholesterol oxidation. Numerous in vitro and animal studies have also reported results suggestive of lycopene effects that might help prevent or ameliorate cardiovascular disease. Research continues.

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Reference:

citations1.Lycopene-A Scientific Overview,What is Lycopene and its sources,Actions and Pharmacology.Tomato Extract Lycopene

last edit date:11th,May.2009.