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Lycopene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon carotenoid with a structure similar to beta-carotene, but without provitamin A activity. It is a red lipid-soluble pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms. It is found in foods such as tomatoes, guavas, pink grapefruit, red oranges, apricots, rose hips, and watermelons.A portion of 130 grams of fresh tomatoes contains between 4 mg and 10 mg of lycopene, depending on the variety, cultivation conditions, and maturity.Lycopene was first isolated from the berries of the black bryony by Hartsen in 1873 and from tomatoes by Millardet, from France, in 1875. It was named lycopene by Schunck in a presentation at the Royal Society in London in 1903.Daily dietary intake of lycopene ranges from about 1 mg/day to 10.5 mg/day. Lycopene from plants is mainly in the all-trans configuration, which is poorly absorbed, but its high degree of unsaturation allows cis-trans isomerization to occur in response to light, thermal energy, and chemical reactions. In human plasma, lycopene exists as a mixture of isomers, with 50% being cis-isomers. Lycopene accounts for about half of the carotenoids in human serum, concentrating in low-density and very low-density lipoprotein fractions. It also concentrates in the adrenal glands, testes, prostate, lungs, and skin.Orally, lycopene is used to prevent cardiovascular diseases and sunburn. Lycopene is also used to treat prostate disorders and male infertility.
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Psi-Psi-Carotene
Family or group:
Phytosubstances
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.
Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.
One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.
Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia✪✪✪✪✪
Although some epidemiological data show no link between dietary lycopene intake and BPH development, some preliminary clinical research suggests that taking lycopene alone or in combination could improve symptoms of BPH. A preliminary clinical study shows that taking lycopene at 15 mg per day for 6 months slows BPH progression. Consuming 50 grams of tomato concentrate per day for 10 weeks reduced prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels by about 11% in BPH patients in another study. Other clinical research shows that taking a combination of lycopene 2.1 mg, pumpkin seed oil 160 mg, small-flowered willow herb 500 mg, pygeum 15 g, and saw palmetto 660 mg once daily for 3 months reduces the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) by 36% compared to 8% with placebo in BPH patients. In another study, daily intake of a combination of lycopene 5 mg, saw palmetto 320 mg, and selenium 50 mcg orally for 1 year reduced the IPSS similar to tamsulosin 0.4 mg per day (a drug prescribed to relieve symptoms of prostate enlargement). Concurrent intake of the supplement combination and tamsulosin resulted in a greater reduction of IPSS than either tamsulosin or supplements alone.
Posologie
Orally
5 - 15 mg
6 - months
Men
Synergies
Saw Palmetto, Selenium
Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.
Effect of the consumption of tomato paste on plasma prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.
Intake of selected micronutrients and the risk of surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case-control study from Italy
A phase II randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy
Serenoa repens, lycopene and selenium versus tamsulosin for the treatment of LUTS/BPH. An Italian multicenter double-blinded randomized study between single or combination therapy (PROCOMB trial)
Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Effect of the consumption of tomato paste on plasma prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
