Lycopene


Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Antioxidant
Laboratory research suggests that lycopene, like other carotenoids, may have antioxidant properties. However, it is not clear if lycopene has these effects in the human body. Results of different studies do not agree with each other and better research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Asthma caused by exercise
Laboratory research suggests that lycopene, like other carotenoids, may have antioxidant properties. It has been suggested that antioxidants may be helpful in the prevention of asthma that is caused by exercise. There is limited, poor-quality research in this area and further evidence is needed before a recommendation can be made. 		C
Atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease)
It has been suggested that lycopene may be helpful in people with atherosclerosis or high cholesterol, possibly due to antioxidant properties. Several studies have been published in this area, most using tomato juice as a treatment. Results have not agreed with each other, and this issue remains unclear. 		C
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
Patients diagnosed with BPH or enlarged prostate are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer and may benefit from taking lycopene supplements. Initial evidence suggests that lycopene may help prevent disease progression in BPH. Further studies are necessary before lycopene may be recommended. 		C
Breast cancer prevention
Research in animals and observations of large human populations have examined the relationship between developing breast cancer and tomato intake or lycopene levels in the body. The evidence in this area is not clear, and further studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Cancer prevention (general)
Studies have examined large populations to identify the lifestyle factors that affect health. Many of these studies suggest a link between diets high in fruits and vegetables and a decreased risk of developing cancer. However, it is not entirely clear which foods are most beneficial, or if reduced cancer is due to other (non-dietary) aspects of a "healthy lifestyle." 		C
Cervical cancer prevention
Observations of large human populations suggest possible benefits of tomato product intake in preventing cervical cancer. However, other studies report no benefits. Research that specifically studies lycopene supplements is lacking. 		C
Eye disorders (age-related macular degeneration prevention, cataracts)
Based on antioxidant properties observed in laboratory studies, lycopene has been suggested as a preventive therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. However, recent studies have not found a clear benefit. 		C
Gastrointestinal tract and colorectal cancer prevention
Multiple studies have investigated whether intake of tomatoes or tomato-based products helps prevent digestive tract cancers, including oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, gastric, colon, and rectal. Results have been inconsistent with some studies reporting significant benefits and others finding no effects. Research that specifically studies lycopene supplements is limited, and more research is needed in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Gingivitis
There is some evidence that lycopene, administered systemically, may be an effective treatment for gingivitis. Further studies are needed to support these early findings and to examine lycopene in combination with other gingivitis treatments. 		C
High blood pressure
There is some evidence that short-term treatments of lycopene may reduce blood pressure. More research is needed, especially to examine the long-term effects of lycopene on blood pressure. 		C
High blood pressure associated with pregnancy (pre-eclampsia)
Based on early study, lycopene may reduce the development of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in women having their first child. Further research is needed to confirm these results. 		C
Infertility
Based on early study, taking lycopene seems to have a role in the management of idiopathic male infertility. Further research is needed to confirm these results. 		C
Kidney disease
There is very limited evidence that lycopene supplements may not reduce the risks of renal cell cancer, which affects the kidneys. Additional research is needed. 		C
Lung cancer prevention
Several studies observing large populations report a lower risk of developing lung cancer in people who regularly eat tomatoes. However, other studies report no benefits of tomato consumption. Research that specifically studies lycopene supplements is lacking. 		C
Oral mucositis
Limited evidence suggests that lycopene, and lycopene and steroids, may help patients with oral submucous fibrosis. 		C
Ovarian cancer (prevention)
Based on population studies, lycopene intake in food seems to decrease the risk for ovarian cancer. However, research that specifically examines lycopene supplementation and ovarian cancer risk is lacking. 		C
Prostate cancer
Studies of large populations report mixed results as to whether eating tomatoes/tomato-based products reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. There is some evidence that lycopene may slow the progression of prostate cancer. Research that specifically studies lycopene supplements is limited. 		C
Sun protection
Lycopene in combination with other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium, and proanthocyanidins, may help in reducing sunburn. Selected protective effects from UV rays have been observed in small, short-term studies. More research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Immune stimulation
It has been proposed that lycopene and other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, may stimulate the immune system. However, several studies of lycopene supplements and tomato juice intake in humans report no effects on the immune system. 		D
Lung function after exercise
A daily dose of lycopene for one week does not seem to affect lung function after exercise and does not provide any protective effect against clinical difficulty in breathing in young athletes. 		D

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

AIDS, breast cancer recurrence/secondary prevention, cognitive function, coronary death prevention, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory conditions, mesothelioma (tumor affecting the lining of the chest or abdomen), melanoma, myocardial infarction prevention, oral leukoplakia (formation of white patches on the tongue or cheek), pancreatitis, Parkinson's disease, periodontal disease, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke prevention, stomach cancer, urinary tract cancer.

Dosing Related terms
NS_patient-lycopene Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 1, 2012

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger