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lycopene
How Lycopene and Tomato Products Help Prevent Prostate Cancer
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in red
colored fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon, pink
grapefruits, pink guava, papaya, and red bell peppers. It is a very
powerful antioxidant which helps protect the body against various
types of diseases and cancer. Lycopene is believed to be especially
protective in areas of the human body in which it is stored, namely
the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon, and skin.
In general, research has shown that Lycopene is protective against prostate cancer in vitro and in animal studies; however, research in humans has produced mixed results. This could be due in part to the different natures of the studies conducted. Some studies focus on the dietary consumption of lycopene via tomatoes and other tomato-based products while others focus on carotenoid supplementation and plasma lycopene levels.
Nevertheless, many studies agree that tomato-based products, such as tomato sauce, are the best bio-available sources of lycopene. This is due to two different variables. First, during processing, tomatoes are exposed to high temperatures which help to release bound lycopene. Second, many tomato-based products are high in oil content. Because lycopene is part of the carotenoid family and is a fat-soluble substance, it is best absorbed when in the presence of fat. Therefore, both of these factors increase the bioavailability of lycopene, and allow it to be more effectively absorbed and utilized.
Since tomato-based products have different compositions, the amount and type of tomato product that is recommended to produce benefits against the risks of prostate cancer vary; especially, when compared with different degrees of cancer development. This was seen in an experiment in which the effects of lycopene supplementation were compared to the effects of tomato-based foods on prostate cancer risk. Although results were not statistically significant, the study showed that several foods had positive affects against prostate cancer; yet each was specific to a different category of prostate cancer development. In another study, evidence showed that greater than two servings of plain tomato sauce a week reduced risks by 32% in males who had a family history of the disease. However, statistics were not significant for advanced and non-advanced cancer patients, or for men who had no family history of prostate cancer.
The consumption of lycopene, from tomato-based products is protective against prostate cancer. Nevertheless further research is required to know exactly how much is needed, what type of tomato-based products provide the greatest benefit, and to which type of cancer, increased consumption will reduce the most.
More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.
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In general, research has shown that Lycopene is protective against prostate cancer in vitro and in animal studies; however, research in humans has produced mixed results. This could be due in part to the different natures of the studies conducted. Some studies focus on the dietary consumption of lycopene via tomatoes and other tomato-based products while others focus on carotenoid supplementation and plasma lycopene levels.
Nevertheless, many studies agree that tomato-based products, such as tomato sauce, are the best bio-available sources of lycopene. This is due to two different variables. First, during processing, tomatoes are exposed to high temperatures which help to release bound lycopene. Second, many tomato-based products are high in oil content. Because lycopene is part of the carotenoid family and is a fat-soluble substance, it is best absorbed when in the presence of fat. Therefore, both of these factors increase the bioavailability of lycopene, and allow it to be more effectively absorbed and utilized.
Since tomato-based products have different compositions, the amount and type of tomato product that is recommended to produce benefits against the risks of prostate cancer vary; especially, when compared with different degrees of cancer development. This was seen in an experiment in which the effects of lycopene supplementation were compared to the effects of tomato-based foods on prostate cancer risk. Although results were not statistically significant, the study showed that several foods had positive affects against prostate cancer; yet each was specific to a different category of prostate cancer development. In another study, evidence showed that greater than two servings of plain tomato sauce a week reduced risks by 32% in males who had a family history of the disease. However, statistics were not significant for advanced and non-advanced cancer patients, or for men who had no family history of prostate cancer.
The consumption of lycopene, from tomato-based products is protective against prostate cancer. Nevertheless further research is required to know exactly how much is needed, what type of tomato-based products provide the greatest benefit, and to which type of cancer, increased consumption will reduce the most.
More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.