Browse/Specialty Dietary Substance
Specialty Dietary Substance

Lycopene

01 / OVERVIEW

What this compound does

WHAT IT DOES

Lycopene is a natural pigment that gives tomatoes and other red fruits their color. It acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body, helping to protect your cells from damage caused by everyday stress and aging. This can support heart health, keep your skin looking younger, and may help maintain a healthy prostate. Your body absorbs lycopene better when you eat it with a little fat, like olive oil or avocado.

KEY BENEFITS
Supports heart health by protecting blood vessels
Helps maintain healthy skin and reduce sun damage
May support prostate health in men
Fights cell damage from everyday stress
Promotes healthy aging and vision
BEST FOR
  • • Adults over 40 looking to support heart and prostate health
  • • People with high oxidative stress from diet or environment
  • • Those wanting to protect skin from sun damage
  • • Individuals seeking a general antioxidant boost
WHAT TO EXPECT

Lycopene is not an immediate-effect supplement; benefits build over weeks to months of consistent use. You may notice improved skin resilience and overall well-being after 4–8 weeks.

WHO SHOULD AVOID THIS
  • • People with known allergies to tomatoes or lycopene sources
  • • Those on blood-thinning medications (consult doctor first)
  • • Pregnant or breastfeeding women (limited safety data)
  • • People with low blood pressure (may lower it further)
MYTHS & FACTS
Myth: Lycopene is only found in tomatoes.
Fact: While tomatoes are the richest source, lycopene is also present in watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, and papaya. Cooking tomatoes with oil increases absorption.
Myth: Lycopene supplements are better than food sources.
Fact: Food sources provide a matrix of nutrients that enhance absorption and synergy. Supplements can be effective but are not superior to a diet rich in lycopene-containing foods.
Myth: Lycopene can cure prostate cancer.
Fact: Observational studies suggest a reduced risk, but high-quality RCTs do not show that lycopene treats existing cancer. It may support prevention, not cure.
At a glance
Typical dose
6-15 mg/day
Evidence
—
Studies indexed6
How it's made

Production details below.

03 / DOSAGE

How much, when

MAINTENANCE

6-15 mg/day

single dose with meals

TIMING

Lycopene — Any dose

Take with food (high-fat meal) for fat-soluble absorption

02 / EVIDENCE

Peer-reviewed studies

  • PMID: 25956138

    Reduced prostate cancer risk

    Meta-analysis of 26 studies found a 11% reduction in prostate cancer risk with high lycopene intake (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.96).

    A
  • PMID: 17921503

    Lowered LDL oxidation

    RCT with 30 healthy adults showed 10 mg/day lycopene for 8 weeks reduced oxidized LDL by 14% (p<0.05).

    B
  • PMID: 18492146

    Improved skin protection

    Double-blind RCT in 20 women found 10 mg/day lycopene for 12 weeks increased skin protection against UV-induced erythema by 25%.

    B
  • PMID: 28471713

    Blood pressure reduction

    Meta-analysis of 6 RCTs showed lycopene supplementation reduced systolic BP by 5.6 mmHg (95% CI -8.3 to -2.9) and diastolic by 2.8 mmHg.

    A
  • PMID: 25050823

    Antioxidant capacity increase

    RCT in 40 older adults found 15 mg/day lycopene for 8 weeks increased serum total antioxidant capacity by 12% and reduced malondialdehyde by 18%.

    B
  • PMID: 25623083

    No effect on cancer mortality

    Large cohort study (n=50,000) found no significant association between lycopene intake and overall cancer mortality (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.06).

    B
  • PMID 12775097 · 2002Narrative Review

    Chemoprevention of carcinoma prostate: a review

    B
  • PMID 12424331 · 2002RCT

    Lycopene and the lung

    B
  • PMID 31468596 · 2019RCT

    The effects of lycopene supplement on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress in infertile men: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

    B
  • PMID 30190194 · 2018Meta-Analysis

    Vitamin A and Breast Cancer Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

    B
  • PMID 37242207 · 2023Pharmacokinetic Study

    Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of β-Cryptoxanthin Supplementation in Healthy Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

    B
04 / INTERACTIONS

Medicine interactions

  • Warfarin· blood_thinner

    Lycopene may enhance anticoagulant effects by reducing platelet aggregation.

    → Monitor INR if taking high-dose lycopene; consult doctor.

    MODERATE

  • Antihypertensives· blood_thinner

    Lycopene may have additive blood-pressure-lowering effects.

    → Monitor blood pressure; adjust medication as needed.

    LOW

  • Statins· statin

    Lycopene may add to cholesterol-lowering effects via HMG-CoA reductase inhibition.

    → No dose adjustment needed; beneficial synergy possible.

    LOW

  • NSAIDs· blood_thinner

    Lycopene may reduce oxidative stress from NSAIDs, but no significant interaction.

    → No special precautions.

    LOW

This page is a reference summary, not a prescription. Consult a clinician before starting, stopping, or combining supplements — especially if you take medication or have a medical condition.