- Lycopene, found primarily in
tomatoes, is a member of the carotenoid family—including beta-carotene and similar compounds found
naturally in food—and has potent antioxidant capabilities.
A study conducted by Harvard researchers examined
the relationship between carotenoids and the risk of prostate cancer.1 Of the
carotenoids, only lycopene was clearly linked to protection. The men who had the greatest
amounts of lycopene (6.5 mg per day) in their diet showed a 21% decreased risk of prostate
cancer compared with those eating the least. This report suggests that lycopene
may be an important tool in the prevention of prostate cancer.
This study also reported that those who ate more
than ten servings per week of tomato-based foods had a 35% decreased risk of prostate
cancer compared with those eating less than 1.5 weekly servings. When the researchers
looked at only advanced prostate cancer, the high lycopene eaters had an 86% decreased
risk (although this did not reach statistical significance due to the small number of
cases).
Prior research has associated tomato intake with a
reduced rate of prostate cancer.2 Although lycopene has
potentially been linked to reduced risk of prostate cancer, evidence does not yet suggest
it has any effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid in the prostate,3
and high blood levels of lycopene have been linked to prostate cancer prevention.4
Lycopene is also a more potent inhibitor of human cancer cells than all other carotenoids.5
Where is it found?
Tomatoes and tomato-containing foods are high in lycopene. In the Harvard study, the only
tomato-based food that did not correlate with protection was tomato juice. Evidence
suggests that people inaccurately report their intake of juice; moreover, the lycopene in
juice may not be well absorbed. Other foods, including watermelon and guava, also contain
lycopene.
Lycopene has been used in
connection with the following condition
(refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be
deficient? This is unknown, but people who do not eat diets high in tomatoes or
tomato products are likely to consume less than optimal amounts.
References:
1. Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, et al. Intake
of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst
1995;87:1767–76.
2. Mills PK, Beeson WL, Phillips RL, Fraser GE. Cohort study of diet, lifestyle, and
prostate cancer in Adventist men. Cancer 1989;64:598–604.
3. Carter HB, Coffey DS. The prostate: an increasing medical problem. Prostate
1990;16:39–48.
4. Hsing AW, Comstock GW, Abbey H, Polk F. Serologic precursors of cancer. Retinol,
carotenoids, and tocopherol and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst
1990;82:941–46.
5. Levy J, Bosin E, Feldman B, Giat Y, et al. Lycopene is a more potent inhibitory of
human cancer cell proliferation than either beta-carotene or beta-carotene. Nutr Cancer
1995;24:257–66.
6. Franceshci S, Bidoli E, La Vecchia C, et al. Tomatoes and risk of digestive-tract
cancers. Int J Cancer 1994;59:181–84.
7. Van Eenwyk J, Davis FG, Bowne PE. Dietary and serum carotenoids and cervical
intraepithelial neoplasia. Int J Cancer 1991;48:34–38.
8. Kanetsky PA, Gammon MD, Mandelblatt J, et al. Dietary intake and blood levels of
lycopene: association with cervical dysplasia among non-hispanic, black women. Nutr
Cancer 1998;31:31–40.
9. 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. Cancer Causes Control 1998;9:89–97.
10. Kohlmeyer L, Kark JD, Gomez-Gracia E, et al. Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk
in the EUROMIC study. Am J Epidemiol 1997;146:618–26.
11. Corridan BM, O’Donohue MP, Morrissey PA. Carotenoids and immune response in
elderly people. Proc Nutr Soc 1998;57:3A [abstr].
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