Lycopene, an antioxidant found in red and pink fruits and vegetables, may have various health benefits, including reducing the effects of asthma and preventing certain cancers. While it is relatively easy to obtain enough lycopene through diet, supplements may be necessary for some people. When purchasing supplements, it is important to choose products from reputable manufacturers that follow Good Manufacturing Practices.
Lycopene is a pigment molecule found in red and pink colored fruits and vegetables. This molecule, an antioxidant, gives color to foods like watermelons, tomatoes, and pink grapefruit. It is relatively easy to get enough lycopene in the diet, but for some people, lycopene supplements may be required to increase the amount of lycopene available for use in the body. However, the use of lycopene supplements should be carefully considered, and these products should only be purchased from a reputable manufacturer.
Lycopene belongs to a class of molecules called carotenoids. These are active in various organs and tissues, including the skin, blood, liver, lungs, adrenal glands, colon, and prostate. Lycopene has antioxidant properties that, in the plant, help provide protection against oxidative damage caused by constant sun exposure. In humans, antioxidants help protect against similar types of cell damage and are believed to play an important role in disease prevention.
Although the antioxidant effects of this molecule in humans have not been established, lycopene is believed to have many other benefits. For example, previous research on lycopene indicates that it might reduce the effects of asthma, play a protective role in preventing certain cancers, improve eye health, help control high blood pressure, and reduce symptoms of atherosclerosis. What is coronary artery disease? However, more research is required before lycopene can be shown to be important in preventing or treating these conditions.
In many countries, tomatoes and tomato products, such as tomato juice and tomato-based sauces, are the most important sources of lycopene. This nutrient does not have a recommended daily allowance, as it is not an essential nutrient, but it has been suggested based on population studies that 6.5 milligrams per day is a sufficient intake. This amount of lycopene can be obtained by eating a quarter cup of canned tomatoes, two fresh tomatoes, a cup of watermelon, or a third of a cup of tomato soup or a tomato-based sauce.
People who eat tomatoes or tomato products regularly will have little to no trouble getting enough lycopene. People who do not eat these foods may benefit from taking lycopene supplements to ensure they are getting all the lycopene they need. Some doctors may also suggest lycopene supplements for people with certain health conditions.
When purchasing lycopene supplements or any other type of dietary supplement, it’s important to choose products made by companies that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). This is a set of global standards that companies that produce supplements can choose to adhere to. GMP compliant Lycopene dietary supplements are manufactured to the same standards as pharmaceutical drugs and are subject to the same production and testing standards to ensure the products are of high quality.
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