Why Your Blood Needs Lycopene (Know The Benefits)

Why Your Blood Needs Lycopene

Do you know about the benefits of lycopene for your blood? If not, you’re in for a surprise.

Lycopene is a nutrient found in fruits and vegetables, it is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to many health benefits, particularly on cardiovascular system.

In this blog post, we will take a look at lycopene, it’s importance, and why your blood needs this nutrient.

What is lycopene and what does it do in the blood?

Lycopene is a carotenoid that is found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. This pigment gives fruits and vegetables their red, orange, and yellow colors.

When consumed, lycopene is absorbed by the body and is transported in the blood to various tissues and organs.

Once in the blood, lycopene can help to protect the blood vessels from damage and inflammation, which may lower the risk of heart disease.

What are the benefits and functions of lycopene in the blood?

Lycopene is known to have potential benefits and functions in the blood, including:

• Stops free radical causing damage to cells
• Protect the blood vessels from damage and inflammation
• Protect cells from DNA damage and promoting cell death in cancerous cells
• Lowering bad cholesterol

Is lycopene good for your blood?

Yes. The health effects of lycopene on the blood are still being studied, but some potential benefits include:

Cardiovascular health

Lycopene may help to protect the blood vessels from damage and inflammation, which may lower the risk of heart disease.

Some studies have suggested that lycopene may help to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol in the blood.

Cancer prevention

Lycopene may prevent certain types of cancer by helping to protect cells from DNA damage and promoting cell death in cancerous cells.

Some studies have suggested that lycopene may help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer.

A population study in male smokers indicated that dietary intakes of lycopene may result in a decreased risk of lung cancer.

In addition, two meta-analyses of several prospective human studies showed that the highest versus lowest quantile of total carotenoid intake or highest versus the lowest serum lycopene concentrations were linked with a reduced risk of lung cancer.

What foods provides lycopene?

Lycopene is found in red fruits and vegetables. Some of the best dietary sources of lycopene include:

• Tomatoes
• Watermelon
• Pink grapefruit
• Papaya
• Guava
• Red bell pepper

Are lycopene dietary supplements available?

Yes. Lycopene supplements are available, they are often made from tomato extract, which is a rich source of lycopene.

These supplements are usually taken in doses of 15-30 milligrams per day.

However, the safety of lycopene supplements have not been well-established, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of taking it.

Here are a few examples of lycopene supplements available in the market:

• Lyc-O-Mato
• Solgar lycopene
• Nature’s plus lycopene
• Garden of life organic lycopene
• Now foods lycopene

Which groups of people don’t get enough lycopene?

Some groups of people may be more likely to have low levels of lycopene in their blood, these include:

• Vegetarians and vegans: These groups may not consume enough lycopene-rich foods in their diet.
• People with a restrictive diet: Some people may have a restricted diet due to dietary restrictions, allergies that may limit their intake of lycopene-rich foods.
• Elderly people: As people age, they have a decreased appetite and may not consume enough lycopene-rich foods.
• People who consume alcohol excessively: Alcohol can decrease the absorption of lycopene and increase the excretion of lycopene from the body.
• People who smoke: Smokers may have lower lycopene levels in their blood than non-smokers.

Individuals with crohn’s disease, celiac disease and those who had gastric surgery may have difficulty absorbing lycopene from their diet.

What are the deficiency symptoms of lycopene?

There are no specific deficiency symptoms that have been linked to low levels of lycopene in the blood.

However, a person with medical conditions, dietary restrictions, or taking certain medications may affect the absorption and metabolism of lycopene.

Some health risks linked with low lycopene levels include an increased risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

What is the average daily recommended intake for lycopene?

There is no recommended daily intake of lycopene for different age and sex groups.

Some studies suggest that consuming 2-6 milligrams of lycopene per day may be beneficial for your health.

Which medications interferes with lycopene in the blood?

There are certain medications may interfere with the absorption of lycopene in the blood. These include:

• Atorvastatin
• Simvastatin
• Warfarin
• Omeprazole
• Lansoprazole
• Rabeprazole
• Estrace
• Amoxicillin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Metronidazole

Is lycopene harmful to the blood?

Lycopene is safe when consumed in the diet and as a supplement at recommended doses.

However, taking large doses of lycopene supplements may cause some side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion.

Taking high doses of lycopene supplements may also interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, and also interact with certain medications.

Conclusion

Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant protect cells, blood vessels, and DNA from damage caused by free radicals.

Although lycopene may have some potential health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease, more studies are needed to confirm these.

If you want to get enough lycopene, eat a well balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are high in lycopene.

However, if you have a medical condition, dietary restrictions, taking medications that affects the absorption and metabolism of lycopene, consult with a healthcare professional.

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