Generality
Lycopene is a natural molecule with a strong antioxidant and cytoprotective power.
In recent years, supplementation with lycopene has taken on great importance, both clinical and experimental.
Indications
Why is lycopene used? What is it for?
There are different biological activities of lycopene and the consequent clinical utility attributed to it.
Currently lycopene are ascribed:
- Antioxidant properties, important in counteracting the damaging action of reactive oxygen species on cellular structures and in preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol;
- Anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective properties, linked both to the inhibitory action against the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase (involved in the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol), and to the ability to induce the expression of receptors for LDL on the surface of macrophages;
- Antitumor properties, directed especially towards prostate cancer, and valuable for the ability to preserve the functionality of genes involved in cell cycle regulation.
Property and Effectiveness
What benefit has lycopene shown during the studies?
Most of the work on lycopene, in particular those on the alleged antitumor effects, are of an epidemiological nature.
In fact, according to several authors, subjects who take a higher dose of lycopene through diet, would be more protected from the development of prostate cancer.
Conversely, a reduction in blood concentrations of lycopene would appear to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Very interesting would instead be the results of another very recent clinical trial, conducted on patients with prostate cancer to be operated surgically and contextually subjected to daily supplementation with 30 mg of lycopene, divided into two assumptions.
According to surgeons and pathologists, tumors of patients supplemented with lycopene would show a lower degree of malignancy and invasiveness than in the untreated group.
These works would underline not only the preventive, but potentially also therapeutic, utility of lycopene.
Doses and method of use
How to use lycopene
The important amount of work published in the literature is not sufficient to allow the identification of a standard, reproducible and effective dose of lycopene.
For this reason, the range of dosages currently used is still very wide.
Generally, the most used daily dose is that of 5-15 mg, equal, more or less, to that which would be found in about half kg of tomato.
Side effects
No clinically relevant side effects are known, derived from the use of lycopene as a supplement.
Contraindications
When should lycopene not be used?
The use of lycopene is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of lycopene?
Given the chemical nature of lycopene there are several active ingredients that can change its availability.
More precisely, cholestyramine, mineral oils, orlistat and pectin could reduce the bioavailability of lycopene, while beta-carotene, medium chain triglycerides and some vegetable oils could increase intestinal absorption.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking lycopene?
Despite the clinical importance of this carotenoid, during pregnancy and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding the daily quota of lycopene should be taken only through fruit and vegetables, without the use of supplements.
