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Welcome to the lycopene.org web site.
Your primary source of information on lycopene.
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Click here
for more information or to purchase
Unlock the Power of Lycopene.
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New, tasty ways to get your lycopene - see the
Recipes section!
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Lycopene: The Facts |
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Unlock the Power of Lycopene explores how lycopene, a powerful
antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, may help
prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other
serious diseases. In a reader-friendly style, Unlock the Power of Lycopene
highlights research that suggests lycopene may be beneficial as part of a
balanced diet. This book will help readers appreciate the tomato by sharing its
fascinating facts and history, and includes tasty recipes for tomato-based
dishes. Click here for more information or to purchase
Unlock the Power of Lycopene.
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* Note! Medical conditions or problems should be
discussed with your doctor. Good nutrition is not a substitute for medical
treatments and a doctor's care.
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Lycopene is an open-chain unsaturated carotenoid that imparts red colour to
tomatoes, guava, rosehip, watermelon and pink grapefruit.
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Lycopene is a proven antioxidant. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals,
which may damage the body's cells.
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Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by
the body if processed into juice, sauce, paste and ketchup. The chemical form of
lycopene found in tomatoes is converted by the temperature changes involved in
processing to make it more easily absorbed by the
body.
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In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland,
colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all
other carotenoids.
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Regular high consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended as part of
healthy eating. Epidemiological studies have shown that high intake of
lycopene-containing vegetables is inversely associated with the incidence of
certain types of cancer. For example, habitual intake of tomato products has
been inversely associated with the risk of cancer of the digestive tract among
Italians. li>In one six-year study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard
School of Public Health, the diets of more than 47,000 men were studied. Of 46
fruits and vegetables evaluated, only the tomato products (which contain large
quantities of lycopene) showed a measurable relationship to reduce prostate
cancer risk. As consumption of tomato products increased, levels of lycopene in
the blood increased, and the risk for prostate cancer decreased. The study also
showed that the heat processing of tomatoes and tomato products increases
lycopene's bioavailability.
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Ongoing preliminary research suggests that lycopene is associated with
reduced risk of macular degenerative disease, serum lipid oxidation and cancers
of the lung, bladder, cervix and skin.
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Studies are underway to investigate other potential benefits of lycopene -
including the H.J. Heinz Company sponsored research at the University of Toronto
and at the American Health Foundation. These studies will focus on lycopene's
possible role in the fight against cancers of the digestive tract, breast and
prostate cancer.
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REF.: Stahl, W. and Sies, H. lycopene: a biologically
important carotenoid for humans? Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 336: 1-9, 1996
Gerster, H. The potential role of lycopene for human health.
J. Amer. Coll. Nutr. 16: 109-126, 1997
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