Lycopene

9 min readEvidence-linked topicGreen Medicine Encyclopedia

Overview

Lycopene is a carotene (Carotenoid) and is a powerful antioxidant. Unlike many other carotenes, Lycopene cannot be converted to Vitamin A within the body. Lycopene supplements are derived from Tomato.

Health Benefits of Lycopene

Cells

 Lycopene may enhance Gap Junction communication between Cells.  [1]

Cardiovascular System

 Lycopene may help to prevent Atherosclerosis.  [2]

 Lycopene may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.  [3]

 Lycopene concentrates in the Heart.

 Lycopene may help to prevent Heart Attack by up to 48%.  [4]

 Lycopene may help to lower elevated Blood Pressure in High Blood Pressure patients.  [5]

 Lycopene may help to prevent Stroke.  [6]

Digestive System

 Lycopene may reduce the Inflammation that occurs after Gliadin consumption in Celiac Disease patients.  [7]

 Lycopene may reduce the Inflammation associated with Colitis.  [8]

 Lycopene concentrates in the Pancreas.

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Lycopene may protect against many of the toxic effects of Radioactivity.  [9]

Excretory System

 Lycopene concentrates in the Kidneys. 

Eyes/Vision

 Lycopene may help to prevent Cataracts.  [10] 

Immune System

 Persons infected with HIV, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS, are often deficient in Lycopene  [11]

 Lycopene may protect against many forms of Cancer:  [12]

 Lycopene may help to prevent Cancer - Bladder.  [13]

 Lycopene inhibits the proliferation of Cancer Cells involved in Cancer - Breast primarily by interfering with the ability of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) to stimulate the growth of Breast Cancer Cells.  [14]

 Lycopene may help to prevent Cervical Dysplasia.  [15]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Cervix Women with high serum Lycopene levels have an 80% less risk of developing Cervical Cancer compared to women with low serum Lycopene levels.  [16]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Colon.  [17]

 Lycopene may inhibit the proliferation of Cancer Cells involved in Cancer - Endometrium primarily by interfering with the ability of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 to stimulate the growth of Endometrial Cancer Cells.  [18]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Esophagus.  [19]

 Lycopene may be a useful adjuvant treatment for Gliomas.  [20]

 Lycopene may inhibit the further spread of some types of Leukemia by helping Leukemia cells to convert back to normal non-cancerous cells.  [21]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Liver.  [22]

 Lycopene may inhibit the proliferation of Cancer Cells involved in Cancer - Lung.  [23]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Mouth.  [24]

 Lycopene may help to prevent Cancer - Ovaries.  [25]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Pancreas People with the lowest levels of serum Lycopene have a 500% greater risk of developing Pancreatic Cancer than those who consume higher amounts of Lycopene.  [26]

 Lycopene may protect against Cancer - Pharynx.  [27]

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