Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

occur in cooked tomatoes and tomato products
such as tomato soup, tomato sauce, and ketchup.
Most studies investigating the effects of lycopene
involved consuming high amounts of foods con-
taining lycopene, notably cooked tomato products.
The findings seem to substantiate lycopene’s role
in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, particu-
larly prostate cancer cells. However, few research
studies have evaluated lycopene supplements.
Because tomatoes contain numerous nutrients, it
is difficult to assess the effects of only one.
Most doctors agree that while there is likely lit-
tle harm to come of taking lycopene supplements,
there is not enough evidence to recommend doing
so except as an adjunctive therapy (in addition to
other therapeutic approaches). Men who have
prostate disease orPROSTATE CANCERmay benefit
from increasing their consumption of foods con-
taining cooked tomatoes. Excessive ingestion of
lycopene and other carotenoids can cause the
palms of the hands and the soles of the feet to
turn dark yellow or orange, a temporary circum-

stance that returns to normal when carotenoid

levels drop after stopping or reducing the supple-

ment. There are no other known risks or side

effects when using lycopene, though taking peni-

cillin-based ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS may decrease

the amount of lycopene absorbed into the blood-

stream from the gastrointestinal tract.

LYCOPENE

Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions

prevent or slow excessive amounts may none known

PROSTATE CANCER turn the palms and

possibly protect soles of the feet

against LUNG orange or dark yellow

CANCER

preserve retinal

function

See also AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

(ARMD); BILBERRY; CATARACT EXTRACTION AND REPLACE-

MENT; RETINOPATHY; SAW PALMETTO; VISION IMPAIRMENT;

YOHIMBE/YOHIMBINE.

80 Alternative and Complementary Approaches