Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables, may reduce the risk of cancer and protect the heart and bones. However, excess consumption through supplements can cause lycopenodermia, cell damage, intestinal side effects, and possible interference with cancer treatments. Eating lycopene-rich foods is generally safe, but patients should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare provider.
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in various fruits and vegetables and sold as a dietary supplement. This red pigment found in some plants and microorganisms helps neutralize free radicals believed to cause heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Data suggests that human intake of this carotenoid may reduce the risk factor for many types of cancer, protect the heart and bones, and regulate blood pressure. Intake of lycopene through food and supplements is not without risk or potential side effects, although the instance of lycopene side effects has been shown to be minimal. Lycopenoderma, cell damage, intestinal side effects, and possible interference with certain cancer treatments are side effects of lycopene.
Excess consumption of this carotenoid can cause a noticeable orange discoloration of the skin. This condition is called lycopenodermia. Lycopenodermia is a harmless condition with no known symptoms, apart from the deep orange color of the skin. The condition has been shown to be reversible by reducing lycopene intake for a few days to a few weeks.
Some carotenoids, including lycopene, have shown oxidation potential within the body under certain conditions, such as when combined with cigarette smoke. When oxidation occurs, research suggests that lycopene could behave similarly to a free radical, causing cell damage. This could explain why the results suggest that cigarette smokers who take carotenoid dietary supplements have an increased risk of cancer or heart disease.
There are also other side effects of lycopene to be aware of. Taking lycopene supplements has caused intestinal side effects in some people who take it. People taking higher doses of lycopene supplements have reported nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
One of the most dangerous and rare lycopene side effects that has been reported involves taking lycopene supplements while undergoing cancer treatment. Radiation and chemotherapy patients taking lycopene supplements may interfere with the way these treatments work to fight cancer. As of 2010, studies related to this theory had yet to be done in humans, but animal experiments suggested that lycopene supplements might interfere with one of the ways that chemotherapy and radiation kill cancer cells. Eating foods rich in lycopene as part of a normal diet should not affect cancer treatments.
A normal diet that includes healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables that contain lycopene will generally not produce side effects in most people. Taking lycopene supplements at higher doses is more likely to cause potential side effects, but the incidence of side effects with supplementation is low. Health professionals advise that, as with any vitamin, medication, or supplement, patients should discuss potential interactions and contraindications with their physician or health care provider.
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