Why On Earth Would Anyone Want To Take Lycopene Supplements?
You may well have heard of beta-carotene, but perhaps not lycopene; yet both are similar and powerful health promoting compounds, being members of the family of more than 600 "carotenoids" which give many fruits and vegetables their characteristic colourings. Come across a plant-derived food which has a vivid red, green, yellow or blue colour and the chances are that it's a rich source of one or more carotenoids.
And these are not just for display or temptation. Many carotenoids, lycopene included, are rich sources of the antioxidants which are crucial to the body's long-term health
And these are not just for display or temptation. Many carotenoids, lycopene included, are rich sources of the antioxidants which are crucial to the body's long-term health
The Benefits of Lycopene
A powerful fat soluble antioxidant
Beta-carotene is probably the best known carotenoid right now, and has attracted a great deal of attention as a precursor for the production of vitamin A within the body. In addition to its well known roles as a promoter of good eye and skin health, vitamin A is also one of the body's most important fat-soluble anti-oxidants. But although lycopene does not appear to be directly involved in the production of vitamin A, there's now evidence that it replicates many of the other properties of beta-carotene and in fact functions as an antioxidant in its own right.
Most importantly, perhaps, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, lycopene is thought to help prevent the oxidation of the blood fats known as Low Density Lipids (LDLs), the harmful cholesterol which may lead to serious heart disease or stroke.
Most importantly, perhaps, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, lycopene is thought to help prevent the oxidation of the blood fats known as Low Density Lipids (LDLs), the harmful cholesterol which may lead to serious heart disease or stroke.
Lycopene And Cancer
Another weapon in the battle
Carotenoids and flavonoids in fruits and vegetables in general have also been hailed as powerful weapons in the battle to prevent cancer.
And research suggests that lycopene, in particular, may have especial value in combatting certain common cancers; most notably those of the prostate, lung, stomach colon and breast.
It seems that in addition to its general antioxidant role in neutralising the degenerative cell damage caused by free radical activity, lycopene may also be important in helping the immune system ward off the early stages of tumour development
And research suggests that lycopene, in particular, may have especial value in combatting certain common cancers; most notably those of the prostate, lung, stomach colon and breast.
It seems that in addition to its general antioxidant role in neutralising the degenerative cell damage caused by free radical activity, lycopene may also be important in helping the immune system ward off the early stages of tumour development
Here Are Links To Some Useful Articles
- "Get To Know Lycopene:The Unknown AntiOxidant"
- Lycopene is a relatively little known but nevertheless powerful anti-oxidant, also hailed as an anti-cancer weapon.
- "Try Bilberries In Your Diet For Long Term Eye Health"
- Bilberries are widely hailed as a superfood for their powerful antioxidant properties and particularly beneficial effects on eye health and vision
- "Don't Overlook The Familiar When It Comes To AntiOxidants"
- In the current craze for tracking down new antioxidant superfoods its easy to overlook the more familiar, but nonetheless essential, nutrients such as the B complex vitamins
- "Does Resveratrol In Red Wine Solve The French Paradox?"
- The really good news about resveratrol is that this highly beneficial antioxidant is principally found in red wine.
- "The Health Benefits of AntiOxidant Flavonoids"
- The antioxidant qualities of the flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables are well known, but they are also found in common beverages such as tea, wine and even beer
Sources of Lycopene
Go heavy on that pasta sauce!
Lycopene is a very rare, if not unique, example of when the cooked or processed version a health giving food is much the better. Problem is that dietary sources of lycopene are much less common than those of beta-carotene and other carotenoids. In fact, for practical purposes, your choices really boil down to tomatoes and, well, more tomatoes.
Moreover, it's important to be aware that for reasons not fully understood it's clear that cooked and processed tomatoes supply much more available lycopene than those eaten raw. You can try canned vegetable and fruit juices, soups, purees and of course pasta sauces, taking care only to watch the associated salt and sugar levels.
But if none of these are to your taste, lycopene supplements, often combined with other carotenoids, are increasingly available, and may be a useful part of a your daily dietary and supplement regime
Moreover, it's important to be aware that for reasons not fully understood it's clear that cooked and processed tomatoes supply much more available lycopene than those eaten raw. You can try canned vegetable and fruit juices, soups, purees and of course pasta sauces, taking care only to watch the associated salt and sugar levels.
But if none of these are to your taste, lycopene supplements, often combined with other carotenoids, are increasingly available, and may be a useful part of a your daily dietary and supplement regime
Health Information From The US Government
Useful Links to the National Institutes of Health
- Food Nutrition and Metabolism
- An A-Z index of nutritional and related topics with links to numerous detailed articles
- "News In Health" Newsletter
- Searchable archive of hundreds of articles from the National Institute of Health's "News In Health" newsletter
Wellness and Nutrition Products
- Wellness and Nutrition Products
- Here's a great range of vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements and much much more
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by Sisyphus2
Sisyphus2
Steve Smith is a writer and marketer with a particular interest in wellness and nutrition.
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