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LYCOPENE

LYCOPENE IS GREAT "Lycopene is a phytochemical antioxidant with no pro–vitamin A activity that is found in tomatoes, which have only been widespread in the human diet for 500 y. Having the highest antioxidative activity among all carotenoids, lycopene exists in tomatoes and derived products as one of numerous phytochemicals, many with similar structures and properties. Epidemiological data suggest that lycopene may reduce the risk of prostate cancer."

Review of the International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Cancer, 20041 "More than 400 attendees from 24 different countries... [LYCOPENE, CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES] The second presentation further emphasized this recommendation in a comparison of the reduction of prostate tumor incidence in rats fed either isolated lycopene or tomato powder. The latter was more effective than lycopene alone. Furthermore, in a rat Dunning tumor model, broccoli powder plus tomato powder had the greatest effect in reducing tumor growth, supporting the AICR recommendation of a diet rich in different kinds of vegetables for cancer prevention. The third speaker presented his research on indole-3-carbinol and prostate cancer. This compound, found in cruciferous vegetables, inactivates nuclear factor-B and Akt signaling pathways, and induces prostate cancer cell apoptosis... Helen A. Norman2, Vay Liang W. Go* and Ritva R. Butrum

  Roc dosage

Men over 65 - 5 mg

Women over 65 - 4.22 mg

Hazardous level - unknown

RATIONALE: Recent studies show that lycopene may be very beneficial, and is much more likely to be safe and useful than beta-carotene. A low dosage is included equivalent to approximately a tomato a day. Lycopene is a vitamin-like substance found in tomatoes.

BELOW ARE MANY SUPPORTING STUDIES:

Ref 1- lycopene levels significantly lower in cancer patients than controls

2 - "Lycopene...strongly inhibited proliferation of endometrial, mammary, and lung human cancer cells; alpha- and beta-carotene were far less effective inhibitors."

3 -lycopene concentration was not lower in smokers or higher in supplement users but was inversely associated with age.

4- Burney, PGJ, Comstock, GW, and Morris, JS, "Serologic precursors of cancer: serum micronutrients and the subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer", Am J Clin Nutr 1989: 49: 895-900 "the strongest effect shown in this study was that between pancreatic cancer and serum lycopene."

5- Levy, J., et al, "Lycopene is a more potent inhibitor of human cancer cell proliferation than either alpha-carotene or beta-carotene", Nutr Cancer 24: 257-66 (1995) "Lycopene...strongly inhibited proliferation of endometrial, mammary, and lung human cancer cells; alpha- and beta-carotene were far less effective inhibitors."

6- Peng YM; Ritenbaugh C; Roe DJ; Moon T; Lin Y Peng YS, " Concentrations and plasma-tissue-diet relationships of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols in human", Nutr Cancer 1995;23(3):233-46. Micronutrients from 96 healthy subjects (ages 26-82 yrs). "lycopene was unique, because its concentration was not lower in smokers or higher in supplement users but was inversely associated with age."

7- Thomas, S.R., Neuzil, J., Mohr, D. and Stocker, R., "Coantioxidants make alpha-tocopherol an efficient antioxidant for low-density lipoprotein", Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 62: 1357S-64S (1995) "The oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) is now commonly implicated as an important early event in atherogenesis. The resulting interest in LDL antioxidation has focused on alpha- tocopherol...We review...how the vitamin's antioxidant activity is enhanced or even dependent on the presence of suitable reducing species [especially vitamin C]". "alpha-tocopherol itself does not act as a chain-breaking antioxidant but rather facilitates the transfer of radical reactions from the aqueous phase into LDL" [Table 1 shows composition of LDL (molecules/LDL particle), including alpha-(6-12) and gamma-(0.5) tocopherol, ubiquinol-1(0.5-0.8), lycopene(0.2-0.7), and beta- carotene(0.1-0.4). All of these facilitate radical trapping, and any reduces free radical damage.]

8- Sauberlich, H. E., "Pharmacology of vitamin C", Annu. Rev. Nutr. 14: 371-91 (1994) "Ascorbic acid is probably the most effective, least toxic antioxidant identified in mammalian systems...Ascorbic acid is superior to other water-soluble plasma antioxidants (uric acid and bilirubin) as well as to the lipoprotein-associated antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and lycopene)....Vitamin C can also interact with the tocopheroxy radical to regenerate tocopherol. Consequently, ascorbic acid may be important in protecting against oxidative stress-related diseases and degeneration associated with aging, including coronary heart disease, cataract, and cancer" [also reviews evidence connected with vitamin C and diabetes, blood pressure, parkinson's, respiratory symptoms, immune function, sickle cell anemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura].

9- Kohlmeier, L. and Hastings, S. B. , "Epidemiological Evidence Of A Role Of Carotenoids In Cardiovascular Disease Prevention", Am J Clin Nutr 62(suppl): 1370S-6S (1995) "findings from the first single intervention trial conducted on a large free-living population casts doubt on the utility of b-carotene for all high-risk populations." "In vitro studies have shown that first a-tocopherol, then g-tocopherol, and then lycopene are consumed before b-carotene is utilized as an antioxidant in LDL", therefore, with an adequate supply of vitamin E, there is no need for b-carotene supplement which has risks associated with it.