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Lycopene Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain lycopene. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in certain vegetables, particularly in tomatoes and tomato-based products. Scientists have studied lycopene for the following health problems: Cancer prevention | Several studies suggest that eating vegetables rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes or tomato-based products, may reduce the risk of getting breast, cervical, gastrointestinal, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. Whether lycopene prevents cancer or whether healthy dietary habits in general are key factors in cancer prevention is not clear. Better studies are needed to provide more definitive answers. | Antioxidant | Animal studies report that lycopene possesses antioxidant properties. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, 60 healthy volunteers, men and women older than 40 years, increased the amount of lycopene in their diets for 15 days. The volunteers consumed either Campbell's condensed tomato soup, Campbell's Ready-to-Serve tomato soup or V8 vegetable juice. At the end of the 15 days, the authors found that 15 days of tomato product significantly enhanced the protection from added oxidative stress. However, antioxidant findings have not been observed in most studies in humans. More research is needed. | Sun protection | Lycopene in combination with other carotenoids may help to reduce sunburn. In a small randomized, controlled clinical trial, 12 patients were given either 24 milligrams per day of beta-carotene or 24 milligrams per day of a combination of beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene (eight milligrams per day each) and exposed to solar light. The authors found that supplementation for 12 weeks with 24 milligrams per day of a combination of carotenoids improves ultraviolet-induced sunburn and is comparable to the treatment with 24 milligrams per day of beta-carotene.
In another randomized, controlled clinical trial, the effects of a product containing a combination of antioxidants were studied. The antioxidant combination called Seresis contained beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C and E, selenium and proanthocyanidins. Healthy young female volunteers were given Seresis, and selected protective effects from ultraviolet rays were observed. More studies in humans are needed to make a conclusion. | Prevention of macular degeneration | Lycopene has been studied as prevention for age-related macular degeneration, but there are no clear answers in this area. Further research is needed before lycopene can be recommended. | Exercise-induced asthma | One study in humans suggests that taking lycopene by mouth may reduce exercise-induced asthma. This study was small with design flaws. Better studies are needed to provide more definitive answers. | Atherosclerosis, high cholesterol | Multiple studies suggest lycopene may reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and may reduce high cholesterol. However, different studies have produced results that do not agree with each other. More research is needed to determine whether lycopene may be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases. | Immune stimulation | Current evidence suggests that lycopene does not enhance the function of the immune system. | 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. | High blood pressure associated with pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) | Based on early study, lycopene may reduce the development of pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation in women having their first child. Further research is needed to confirm these results. |
Lycopene has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking lycopene for any unproven use. AIDS
Antioxidant
Cataracts
Cognitive function
Diabetes
Gum disease
Heart attack prevention | Inflammatory diseases
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's disease
Respiratory infections
Rheumatoid arthritis
Skin cancer
Stroke prevention |
Allergies People with allergies to tomatoes or to lycopene itself should avoid use. Side Effects No side effects have been reported from eating lycopene or tomato-based products. However, the safety of lycopene supplements has not been well studied in humans. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Lycopene supplements are not recommended in pregnant or breast-feeding women because of a lack of scientific data. Lycopene and its breakdown products are present in breast milk, but whether this has any effect on developing infants is not known. Tomato consumption has been shown to increase lycopene concentrations in breast milk and plasma of lactating women.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs In theory, lycopene may increase the cholesterol-lowering effects of drugs such as lovastatin (Mevacor), or use of drugs such as lovastatin may decrease levels of lycopene in the blood. This possible interaction has not been well studied. Other drugs that theoretically may reduce lycopene levels include cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite) and colestipol (Cholestid), as well as nicotine and alcohol. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Lycopene and beta-carotene may affect each other's blood levels when taken together. However, it is unclear whether levels may increase or decrease, because of varying study results. When canthaxanthin is used with lycopene, the levels of lycopene may be significantly decreased. The consequences of this interaction are not clear. Laboratory studies have found interactions between lycopene and other vitamins or supplements. The significance of these possible interactions in humans is not known. Examples include increased inhibition of growth in cancer-like cells when used with vitamin D or vitamin E and increased antioxidant effects when combined with lutein. Red palm oil may increase blood levels of lycopene.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. No specific amounts of lycopene or lycopene-rich vegetables have been clearly established for many conditions. Therefore, no specific dosing recommendations can be made. For Exercise-Induced Asthma Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) A dose of 30 milligrams daily by mouth has been reported in scientific studies. Children (Younger Than 18) The dosing and safety of lycopene have not been studied thoroughly in children, and lycopene cannot be recommended for any use. For Atherosclerosis Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) A dose of 1.243 grams of 6 percent lycopene oleoresin daily by mouth has been reported in scientific studies. For Enhancement Of Immune Function Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) A dose of 13.3 milligrams of lycopene daily by mouth has been reported in scientific studies. For Sun Protection Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) A dose of eight milligrams of lycopene in combination with other antioxidants taken by mouth for 12 weeks has been studied for sun protection. For Infertility Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) A dose of 2,000 micrograms has been taken by mouth twice a day for three months.
Although lycopene has been suggested for many conditions, there is not enough evidence to recommend its use for the treatment of any health condition. Lycopene is found in tomatoes and tomato-based products and has not specifically been associated with any serious side effects in humans. However, doses larger than those found in food products should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children because of a lack of available information. Consult a health care professional immediately if you experience side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Lycopene Natural Standard reviewed more than 615 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Alien CM, Smith AM, Clinton SK, Schwartz SJ. Tomato consumption increases lycopene isomer concentrations in breast milk and plasma of lactating women. J Am Diet Assoc 2002;102(9):1257-1262.
- Ansari MS, Gupta NP. A comparison of lycopene and orchidectomy vs orchidectomy alone in the management of advanced prostate cancer. BJU Int 2003;92(4):375-378.
- Ansari MS, Gupta NP. Lycopene: a novel drug therapy in hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer. Urol Oncol 2004;22(5):415-420.
- Barber N. The tomato: an important part of the urologist's diet? BJU Int 2003;Mar, 91(4):307-309.
- Bowen P, Chen L, Stacewicz-Sapuntzakis M, et al. Tomato sauce supplementation and prostate cancer: lycopene accumulation and modulation of biomarkers of carcinogenesis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2002;Nov, 227(10):886-893.
- Briviba K, Kulling SE, Moseneder J, et al. Effects of supplementing a low-carotenoid diet with a tomato extract for 2 weeks on endogenous levels of DNA single strand breaks and immune functions in healthy non-smokers and smokers. Carcinogenesis 2004;25(12):2373-2378.
- Briviba K, Schnabele K, Rechkemmer G, Bub A. Supplementation of a diet low in carotenoids with tomato or carrot juice does not affect lipid peroxidation in plasma and feces of healthy men. J Nutr 2004;134(5):1081-1083.
- Broekmans WM, Klopping-Ketelaars IA, Weststrate JA, et al. Decreased carotenoid concentrations due to dietary sucrose polyesters do not affect possible markers of disease risk in humans. J Nutr 2003;Mar, 133(3):720-726.
- Bureau I, Laporte F, Favier M, et al. No antioxidant effect of combined HRT on LDL oxidizability and oxidative stress biomarkers in treated post-menopausal women. J Am Coll Nutr 2002;Aug, 21(4):333-338.
- Cerhan JR, Saag KG, Merlino LA, et al. Antioxidant micronutrients and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in a cohort of older women. Am J Epidemiol 2003;Feb 15, 157(4):345-354.
- Chen G, Djuric Z. Detection of 2,6-cyclolycopene-1,5-diol in breast nipple aspirate fluids and plasma: a potential marker of oxidative stress. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2002;Dec, 11(12):1592-1596.
- Clarke R, Armitage J. Antioxidant vitamins and risk of cardiovascular disease: review of large-scale randomized trials. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2002;Sep, 16(5):411-415.
- Dietrich M, Block G, Norkus EP, et al. Smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke decrease some plasma antioxidants and increase gamma-tocopherol in vivo after adjustment for dietary antioxidant intakes. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;Jan, 77(1):160-166.
- Djuric Z, Uhley VE, Naegeli L, et al. Plasma carotenoids, tocopherols, and antioxidant capacity in a 12-week intervention study to reduce fat and/or energy intakes. Nutrition 2003;Mar, 19(3):244-249.
- Dorgan JF, Boakye NA, Fears TR, et al. Serum carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004;13(8):1276-1282.
- Dorgan JF, Sowell A, Swanson CA, et al. Relationships of serum carotenoids, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and selenium with breast cancer risk: results from a prospective study in Columbia, Missouri (United States). Cancer Causes Control 1998;9(1):89-97.
- Edwards AJ, Vinyard BT, Wiley ER, et al. Consumption of watermelon juice increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene in humans. J Nutr 2003;Apr, 133(4):1043-1050.
- Flood V, Smith W, Wang JJ, et al. Dietary antioxidant intake and incidence of early age-related maculopathy: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology 2002;Dec, 109(12):2272-2278.
- Giovannucci E. Tomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene, and cancer: review of the epidemiologic literature. J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91(4):317-331.
- Gianetti J, Pedrinelli R, Petrucci R, et al. Inverse association between carotid intima-media thickness and the antioxidant lycopene in atherosclerosis. Am Heart J 2002;Mar, 143(3):467-474.
- Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Liu Y, et al. A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;Mar 6, 94(5):391-398.
- Greul AK, Grundmann JU, Heinrich F, et al. Photoprotection of UV-irradiated human skin: an antioxidative combination of vitamins E and C, carotenoids, selenium and proanthocyanidins. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 2002;Sep-Oct, 15(5):307-315.
- Gupta NP, Kumar R. Lycopene therapy in idiopathic male infertility: a preliminary report. Int Urol Nephrol 2002;34(3):369-372.
- Hadley CW, Clinton SK, Schwartz SJ. The consumption of processed tomato products enhances plasma lycopene concentrations in association with a reduced lipoprotein sensitivity to oxidative damage. J Nutr 2003;Mar, 133(3):727-732.
- Hak AE, Stampfer MJ, Campos H, et al. Plasma carotenoids and tocopherols and risk of myocardial infarction in a low-risk population of US male physicians. Circulation 2003;Aug 19, 108(7):802-807. Epub 2003 Aug 04. Comment in: Circulation 2003;Aug 19, 108(7):9012-9013.
- Heinrich U, Gartner C, Wiebusch M, et al. Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema. J Nutr 2003;Jan, 133(1):98-101.
- Holick CN, Michaud DS, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, et al. Dietary carotenoids, serum beta-carotene, and retinol and risk of lung cancer in the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cohort study. Am J Epidemiol 2002;Sep 15, 156(6):536-547.
- Huang HY, Alberg AJ, Norkus EP, et al. Prospective study of antioxidant micronutrients in the blood and the risk of developing prostate cancer. Am J Epidemiol 2003;Feb 15, 157(4):335-344. Erratum in: Am J Epidemiol 2003;Jun 15, 157(12):1126.
- Porrini M, Riso P, Brusamolino A, et al. Daily intake of a formulated tomato drink affects carotenoid plasma and lymphocyte concentrations and improves cellular antioxidant protection. Br J Nutr 2005;93(1):93-99.
- Porrini M, Riso P. Lymphocyte lycopene concentration and DNA protection from oxidative damage is increased in women after a short period of tomato consumption. J Nutr 2000;130(2):189-192.
- Sharma JB, Kumar A, Kumar A, et al. Effect of lycopene on pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation in primigravidas. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2003;81(3):257-262.
- Simon MS, Djuric Z, Dunn B, et al. An evaluation of plasma antioxidant levels and the risk of breast cancer: a pilot case control study. Breast J 2000;6(6):388-395.
- Smith-Warner SA, Elmer PJ, Tharp TM, et al. Increasing vegetable and fruit intake: randomized intervention and monitoring in an at-risk population. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2000;9(3):307-317.
- van der Horst-Graat JM, Kok FJ, Schouten EG. Plasma carotenoid concentrations in relation to acute respiratory infections in elderly people. Br J Nutr 2004;92(1):113-118.
- Watzl B, Bub A, Briviba K, Rechkemmer G. Supplementation of a low-carotenoid diet with tomato or carrot juice modulates immune functions in healthy men. Ann Nutr Metab 2003;47(6):255-261.
- Wright AJ, Hughes DA, Bailey AL, et al. Beta-carotene and lycopene, but not lutein, supplementation changes the plasma fatty acid profile of healthy male non-smokers. J Lab Clin Med 1999;134(6):592-598.
Last updated July 11, 2005
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