Tomato sauce may be the best lycopene supplement and defense against certain cancers

Recent studies indicate that a lycopene supplement may improve heart health and help prevent certain cancers such as prostate cancer. Lycopene is a carotenoid that is found in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, apricots, watermelon, papaya and pink grapefruit.

There are six carotenoids that are important for the human body and lycopene seems to be the one that western cultures get the most through their diets. Studies show that cooking and food processing increases the amount of lycopene the body can absorb. Often with nutrients found in fruits and vegetables this is not the case.

Lycopene and antiaging

Lycopene like all carotenoids is a phytonutrient, which means that it helps plants absorb light. It also helps protect the cells of the plant. Lycopene takes on a similar role within the human body. Most of lycopene’s healing properties are found in its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect cells from free radicals. Free radicals can damage and even mutate cells.

Benefits of Lycopene

Multiple large studies have studied the effects of  lycopene on prostate cancer. These studies have found that consuming tomato products 10 times per week can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35 percent. Tomato sauce specifically seems to help reduce the risk significantly since it contains high concentrations of this critical carotenoid.

Heart health is linked to the antioxidant properties of lycopene. Studies show that people who have lower levels of lycopene in their blood are at higher risk for developing heart disease. Other studies show that lycopene doesn’t necessarily help lower cholesterol so further research is being performed to find out why lycopene reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

Macular degeneration is another ailment that lycopene supplementation may help prevent. This disease can lead to blindness and usually effects the elderly most. Once degeneration begins there is very little that can be done to stop it. Scientists are currently studying ways to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Multiple studies have been done on carotenoids which indicate a diet high in lycopene reduces the risk of developing macular degeneration and can even slow its effects.

Lycopene supplements work best if taken with vitamin C and with food since naturally occurring fats in foods helps increase absorption. Experts also suggest that it be taken with a mixture of other necessary carotenoids since the body needs equal levels of all of them to work properly.

Learn more about health supplements and the benefits they may have on your health.