What is lycopene and lutein

Certain supplements like beta-carotene, calcium, and lutein, when taken together with lycopene, may decrease the amount of lycopene absorbed by the gut. Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption may also cause a side effect with lycopene, decreasing its effectiveness in protection against diseases.

Lycopene that comes from food sources has no set recommended intake amount. The average person consumes approximately 2 milligrams mg per day in their diet. If taking lycopene for high blood pressure, 15 mg of a tomato extract such as LycoMato daily for six to eight weeks may help. However, always be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before adding a regular supplement to your diet. Since there is not much research on lycopene supplements, its best to talk to your healthcare provider before taking lycopene outside of your diet.

While many benefits associated with lycopene still need more research behind them, the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables to prevent disease and boost your immune system are proven. Making sure you have a diet rich in these foods including high-lycopene fruits and vegetables can only help your health overall.

A fresh tomato can have between 0. A cup and a half of watermelon contains about 9 to 13 milligrams of lycopene. Lycopene in tomato paste ranges from 25 to milligrams per grams. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Arab L, Steck S. Lycopene and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Serum lycopene decreases the risk of stroke in men: a population-based follow-up study. An update on the health effects of tomato lycopene. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. Arnold J. Watermelon packs a powerful lycopene punch. AgResearch Magazine. United States Department of Agriculture. June Rapid, accurate, and direct determination of total lycopene content in tomato paste.

Review of Scientific Instruments. Harvard Health Publishing. Lycopene-rich tomatoes linked to lower stroke risk. International Food Information Council Foundation. What is lycopene? Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Poison Control. Filtering of blue light and scavenging of reactive intermediates generated in photooxidation are considered to be the underlying protective mechanisms.

Epidemiological studies provide evidence that an increased consumption of lutein is associated with a lowered risk for age-related macular degeneration, a disease with increasing incidence in the elderly. Abstract Lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are major carotenoids in human blood and tissues but unlike beta-carotene do not contribute to vitamin A supply. Search Menu. Article Navigation. Close mobile search navigation Article Navigation. Volume Article Contents Abstract.

Materials and Methods. Hughes , David A. Reprints or correspondence: Dr. Oxford Academic. Anthony J. Paul M. Abigael C. Angela L. Sian B. Susan Southon. Cite Cite David A. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Abstract It has been suggested that dietary carotenoids can enhance immune function. Open in new tab Download slide. Percentage of monocytes expressing each surface molecule. Effects of dietary antioxidants on the immune function of middle-aged adults. Google Scholar Crossref.

Search ADS. Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-carotene supplementation. Google Scholar PubMed. Effect of vitamin and trace-element supplementation on immune responses and infection in elderly subjects. Dietary carotenes vitamin C and vitamin E as protective antioxidants in human cancers.

Quantitative variation in Ia antigen expression plays a central role in immune regulation. The effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the immune function of blood monocytes from healthy male non-smokers. The correlation between two dietary assessments of carotenoid intake and plasma carotenoid concentrations: application of a carotenoid food-composition database. Development evaluation of an HPLC method for the analysis of carotenoids in foods and the measurement of the carotenoid content of vegetables and fruits commonly consumed in the UK.

Enhancement of the antigen-presenting function of monocytes by cholesterol: possible relevance to inflammatory mechanisms in extrinsic allergic alveolitis and atherosclerosis. Fish oil supplementation inhibits the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and adhesion molecules on human monocytes. Beta-carotene lycopene but not lutein supplementation changes the plasma fatty acid profile of healthy male non-smokers.

Chronic ingestion of lycopene-rich tomato juice or lycopene supplements significantly increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and related tomato carotenoids in humans.

Modulation of human T-lymphocyte functions by the consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables. Modulated mitogenic proliferative responsiveness of lymphocytes in whole-blood cultures after a low-carotene diet and mixed-carotenoid supplementation in women. Beta-carotene and immune function: is it a case of defining the right intake? Inhibition of arachidonic acid oxidation by beta-carotene retinol and alpha-tocopherol.

Issue Section:. Download all slides. View Metrics. Email alerts Article activity alert. Advance article alerts. New issue alert. Receive exclusive offers and updates from Oxford Academic. Related articles in Web of Science Google Scholar. Preoperative white blood cell count predicts anastomotic leakage in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer.