Lycopene Supplements Review
Find the Best Lycopene
Supplements. CL Tests Reveal That Not All Lycopene Supplements Contain What
They Claim.
Medically reviewed and
edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. 
Last Updated
: 05/04/2021 | Initially Posted:
01/13/2019
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Table of Contents
Summary
·
What is lycopene? Lycopene is a red-colored, fat-soluble,
antioxidant carotenoid found in tomatoes, watermelon, and other red or pink
fruits and berries.
·
Health benefits of lycopene: Higher intakes of lycopene-rich foods
(typically from tomato-based products) are associated with lower risks of
certain cancers. There is evidence that lycopene supplementation may also
decrease the risk of certain cancers and/or death from cancer. There is
preliminary evidence that lycopene can reduce elevated blood pressure and
lycopene-rich foods may slightly reduce elevated levels of cholesterol.
Lycopene, or foods rich in it, may also help protect the skin from UV light
damage. Lycopene may also be helpful in cases of male infertility. (See What It Does).
·
Which brand of lycopene supplements is best? ConsumerLab's
tests revealed that one product contained only 60% of its listed lycopene;
pills strengths ranged from 5 mg to 30 mg; and the cost to get a 10 mg dose of
lycopene ranged from just 7 cents to 53 cents. Our current and previous tests
of lycopene supplements suggest that it may be best to choose a softgel or capsule, rather than a tablet (see What CL Found). Among products that passed
testing, CL selected one as its Top Pick for
providing a substantial dose of high-quality lycopene at low cost.
·
How to use lycopene supplements? If you think you
don't get enough from foods, consider a supplement providing 5
to 10 mg of lycopene. Lycopene — from food or supplements -- is best absorbed
when taken with a meal containing fats or oils. (See What to Consider When Using).
·
Lycopene safety and side effects: Lycopene from
supplements or foods is generally safe but can cause gastrointestinal symptoms
or allergic reactions in some people (see Concerns and Cautions).
What It Is:
Lycopene
is a fat-soluble red pigment and powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, pink
grapefruit, watermelons, apricots, and pink guavas. On a per gram basis, lycopene
is about twice as powerful an antioxidant as another well-known carotenoid,
beta-carotene.
What It Does:
Cancer prevention:
As discussed below, there is some evidence from observational studies that
higher intakes of lycopene-containing foods, such as tomatoes, may reduce the
risk of certain types of cancer, but it is indirect and far from definitive.
There is also preliminary evidence that supplementing with lycopene might
prevent precancerous cells in the prostate from being malignant and reduce the
growth of existing tumors in the prostate. The FDA concluded in 2005 that while
there was "very limited evidence" to support an association
between tomato consumption and reduced risks of various
cancers, there was "no credible evidence" of such an association for
lycopene itself (Kavanaugh, J Natl Cancer Inst 2007). Interestingly, however, an analysis of data from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), among approximately 30,000
adults in the U.S., found that lycopene supplementation was associated with an
18% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 34% lower risk of cancer-related
death over a period of time; no other dietary supplement was associated with a
reduced risk of death (Chen, Ann Intern Med 2019).
A large observational study of elderly Americans found that those who consumed
the most tomatoes had a 50% lower risk of death from cancer compared to those
who consumed the least (Colditz Am J Clin Nutr 1985). Higher tomato consumption has also
been associated with a lower risk of stomach cancer, and some, but
not all studies, have found higher consumption is associated with a reduced
risk of colorectal cancer is mixed. There is some evidence
that lycopene intake in the diet is associated with a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer,
and ovarian cancer in premenopausal women. (Giovannucci, J Natl Cancer Inst 1991).
A number of studies have investigated the association between lycopene and/or
tomato intake and prostate cancer. A large observational study in
the U.S., for example, found that a high intake of lycopene reduced the risk of
prostate cancer by 21%, and a high intake of tomatoes and tomato products was
associated with a 35% lower risk of total prostate cancer, and a 53% lower risk
of advanced prostate cancer. Tomato sauce (2 to 4 servings/week) had the
strongest inverse association with prostate cancer risk, while weaker
associations were found with tomatoes and pizza, but not tomato juice (Giovannucci, J Natl Cancer Inst 1995). However,
not all studies have found such strong associations, and a more recent analysis
of available studies (including the one above) concluded that, overall,
"tomato intake may have a weak protective effect against prostate
cancer." (Xu, Sci Rep 2016).
A few small studies have found a potential benefit with lycopene supplementation and
prostate cancer. A preliminary study in men with precancerous changes in the
prostate found that 4 mg of lycopene (Lyc-O-Mato) taken twice daily for
one year appeared to help prevent precancerous cells in the prostate from
turning cancerous compared to no lycopene supplementation (Mohanty, Urol Oncol 2005).
Another study found that a higher dose of the same lycopene supplement (15 mg
taken twice daily with meals) reduced tumor growth when given for three weeks
prior to surgical removal of the prostate compared to a control group that did
not receive lycopene supplements before surgery (Kucuk, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001).
In a study among 58 middle-aged men and women with leukoplakia, a
precancerous condition of the mouth and mucous membranes, 8 mg of lycopene
taken daily as a supplement (LycoRed) for
three months significantly reduced the size and severity of lesions compared to
placebo. A daily dose of 4 mg also reduced the size and severity of lesions
compared to placebo, although it was less effective than the higher dose (Singh, Oral Oncology 2003).
See ConsumerLab.com's Reviews of Green Tea, Selenium Supplements, Folate Supplements, Garlic Supplements, Vitamin C Supplements, and Vitamin D Supplements for information about other
supplements of potential value in cancer prevention.
Heart health
Some observational studies suggest that intake of lycopene-rich foods like
tomatoes reduce cardiovascular risk. For example, a large study among
middle-aged and elderly women found those who consumed 10 servings of
tomato-based products per week had a 29% lower risk of cardiovascular disease
and a 57% lower risk of heart attack than those who consumed fewer than 1.5
servings per week (Sesso, Am J Clin Nutr 2003).
Lycopene inhibits the same enzyme involved in cholesterol production that is
targeted by statin drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) and there is evidence
that consuming lycopene-rich foods and lycopene supplements can help to
lower total and "bad" LDL cholesterol, although it does
not appear to increase "good" HDL cholesterol (Mozos, Front Pharmacol
2018). A review of 12 clinical trials lasting between two weeks and
six months that investigated the effects of lycopene from tomatoes,
tomato-based foods (sauce, paste, soup etc.) and/or lycopene supplements in
middle-aged and older adults concluded that daily doses of 25 mg or more of
lycopene lowered average total and LDL cholesterol levels by about 7 mg/dL and
10 mg/dL, respectively. Lycopene intakes below 25 mg per day did not lower
cholesterol (Reid, Maturas
2011).
There is evidence that lycopene supplements may help to lower blood pressure in
people with high blood pressure. In a study of 31 men and women
with stage 1 hypertension, a capsule of 15 mg of lycopene (from Lyc-O-Mato)
taken daily with a meal for two months reduced average systolic and diastolic
blood pressure by 9 mm Hg and 4 mm Hg, respectively, compared to placebo.
Supplementation did not decrease total or LDL cholesterol levels, but, as noted
above, a higher dose (> 25 mg per day) may be needed to lower cholesterol (Engelhard, Am Heart J 2006).
Lycopene may also have anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning
effects that may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, but more
research is needed (Mozos, Front Pharmacol
2018).
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
Lycopene supplements are sometimes promoted for decreasing symptoms of enlarged
prostate, also known as benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH, but research
to-date has yielded mixed results with no firm evidence of efficacy. A
six-month study in Germany among 37 older men with BPH found that while
prostate growth tended to be slower in those who took a daily lycopene supplement
(15 mg of lycopene from LycoVit, a
synthetic form of lycopene from BASF), the difference was not significant
compared to placebo. Similarly, there was no significant change in PSA levels
compared to placebo. The supplement was well-tolerated and there were no
adverse effects. Men in both groups consumed an average of 4 mg of lycopene per
day through their diet (Schwarz, J Nutr 2008).
A study in Italy
among 31 HIV positive men (average age 66) with BPH found that taking 5 grams
of a whole-tomato food supplement containing 23.75 mg of lycopene once daily
for 12 weeks reduced prostates symptoms, including incomplete bladder emptying
by about 28%, frequency by about 20%, intermittency by about 25%, urgency by
about 20%, weak stream by about 35%, and nocturia (the need to urinate during
the night) by about 40% based on the International Prostate Symptom Score
(IPSS) scale compared to baseline. People in the placebo group showed improvement
in only intermittency. However, it is unclear if the improvement in the
lycopene group was statistically significant compared to the placebo group, as
no comparison was made. There was no improvement in total or free PSA levels (Quiros-Roldan, J Funct Foods
2021).
Male Infertility:
Lycopene has been shown to reduce oxidative damage in sperm, which is
associated with infertility in men. A review of six small clinical
studies found lycopene supplementation (4 - 8 mg daily for 3-12 months) to be
beneficial in the treatment of male infertility, improving measures of sperm
health and increasing pregnancy rates; one study reported a 70% increase in
sperm count and a 54% increase in sperm motility in infertile men taking 8 mg
of lycopene daily (Durairajanayagam, AJA 2014).
A placebo-controlled study in England among 56 healthy young men found
that taking 7 mg of lycopene taken twice daily for three months did not increase
the overall concentration of motile ("moving") sperm, but did significantly
improve the percentage of motile sperm that were healthy-shaped (nearly
doubling from 7.5% to 13.5%) or that were fast moving in a forward direction
(increasing from 10.6% to 14.76%). The lycopene used was LactoLycopene (from Cambridge Nutraceuticals
Ltd — which partially funded the study but did not participate in the design,
data analysis or writing of the study) (Williams, Eur J Nutr 2019).
This formulation is claimed to enhance lycopene absorption, although an earlier
study found its bioavailability is only equivalent to that of lycopene from
tomato paste (Richelle, J Nutr
2002).
Skin protection
Carotenoids such as beta-carotene, astaxanthin and lycopene from foods and
supplements are absorbed into the skin and may help protect the skin from
oxidative damage and/or ultraviolet (UV) damage from the sun (Darvin, Molecules 2011).
A small study among women in England found that consuming 55 grams of tomato
paste in olive oil (providing 16 mg of lycopene) daily for three months
decreased measures of tissue damage and redness from exposure to an artificial
source of ultraviolet radiation compared to consuming the olive oil alone (Rizwan, Br J Dermatol 2011).
A small, company-funded study in Germany among men and women found that two
capsules of a "tomato nutrient complex" (Lycopene-Rich Tomato
Nutrient Complex, Lycored) taken twice daily
(providing a total of 20 mg of lycopene) for three months prevented genetic
damage in skin cells of the upper buttock when exposed to ultraviolet radiation
compared to placebo (Grether-Beck, Br J Dermatol
2017).
Skin Wrinkles
A study among 60 women (average age 48) found that those who took one capsule
of tomato extract combined with rosemary extract standardized for 2 mg carnosic acid (Lycoderm, Lycored — which funded the study) twice daily with a meal
(providing a total of 15 mg of lycopene) for four months had very modest
improvements in wrinkles and skin hydration. Those who took lycopene had an
average 5.6% reduction in wrinkle depth severity in lines around the eyes
("crow's feet") as measured by photo analysis and 90.3% reported an
improvement in skin hydration, while those who took a placebo showed no
improvement in wrinkle depth and 58.6% reported improved skin hydration.
Participants agreed to avoid extensive sun exposure during the study and a
month prior, and were provided with a cleanser (Cetaphil Cleanser) and a
sunscreen (Neutrogena SPF Oil Free SPF 30) to be used during the study (Tarshish, Clin Pharmacol
Biopharm 2020).
Other uses:
Other potential uses for lycopene which have been studied include the
prevention of preeclampsia in pregnancy and treatment of gingivitis.
Quality Concerns and
Tests Performed:
Like
other supplements, neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency
routinely tests lycopene supplements for quality prior to sale. However,
quality issues can include the following:
·
Labeled Amount — Does the product really contain the
labeled amount of ingredient? Too little lycopene may not help.
·
Ability to Break Apart for Absorption — Will the product
break apart properly so that it can release its ingredient in the body? For a
tablet to be most useful, it must fully disintegrate prior to leaving the
stomach, delivering its contents for absorption in the gut. Some tablets are
not properly made and can pass through your body completely or partially
intact, depriving you of its ingredients. Remnants of such products are
sometimes found in the stool. This happens, for example, when a tablet is too
tightly compressed (too "hard") or is too thickly coated.
ConsumerLab.com, as part
of its mission to independently evaluate products that affect health, wellness,
and nutrition, purchased commonly available lycopene supplements and tested
them to determine whether they 1) possessed the claimed amount of lycopene and
2) were able to disintegrate fully to be available for absorption (see Testing Methods and Passing Score).
What CL Found:
Of the eight lycopene supplements selected for testing by
ConsumerLab.com, one failed to pass quality testing: 21st Century
Maximum Strength Lycopene 25 mg. Rather than provide its listed 25 mg of
lycopene per tablet, it provided no more than 14.9 mg (just 59.6% of its claim)
based on testing in two separate laboratories, neither of which were informed
of the identity of the product or the findings of the other lab. The other
seven supplements passed testing and review, as did three additional lycopene
supplements tested through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program.
Interestingly, all the products that passed testing were softgels,
while 21st Century, which failed, was a tablet. This was also the
case in 2013 when ConsumerLab last tested lycopene
supplements: The only product to fail was a tablet (Natrol
Lycopene), which contained only 42% of its listed 15 mg of lycopene. All
other products, which were softgels or capsules,
passed. It would seem best to stick with softgels,
or capsules, when purchasing lycopene supplements.
Cost comparison:
The cost of lycopene can vary greatly across supplements. We calculated the
cost of obtaining 10 mg of lycopene from each product and, as shown in graph
below, found that the lowest cost was 5 cents — but this was based on the listed amount
in 21st Century Maximum Strength Lycopene. Based on the actual amount
found in the product, the cost was 9 cents. Among products that contained what
they claimed, the cost per 10 mg of lycopene ranged from a low of 7 cents
in Swanson Lycopene (20 mg per softgel
for 13 cents) to 58 cents in Douglas Laboratories Lycopene (5
mg per softgel for 29 cents).
Top Pick:
Some of the products that we tested listed simply
"lycopene" as their key ingredient while most others listed a branded
version of lycopene, Lyc-o-mato. Although Lyc-o-mato is a
popular brand of lycopene (and has been used in many studies), it is not clear
if it offers a clinical advantage over other sources of lycopene.
Our overall Top Pick among lycopene supplements is Spring
Valley [Walmart] Lycopene because each softgel
provides 10 mg of lycopene for 10 cents -- a relatively low cost. Ten
milligrams is a substantial dose of lycopene -- about
the amount you would get from a diet rich in lycopene. However, if you seek a
higher dose, Swanson Lycopene provides 20 mg of lycopene for
just 13 cents per softgel -- a lower cost per gram
than Spring Valley.
Products that provide 5 mg of lycopene are also available and may helpful, but
the two 5 mg products that we tested were more than twice the
price per softgel as Spring Valley's 10
mg softgel for half the dose. If you
prefer to get a 5 mg dose, the Source Naturals product was
less expensive than Douglas Laboratories, at 24 cents per softgel versus 29 cents.
Test Results by Product:
Listed
below are the test results for eleven lycopene supplements. ConsumerLab.com
selected eight of these products. Three other products (each indicated with CL
flask icon) were tested at the request of their manufacturers/distributors
through ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program and are
included for having passed testing.
Shown for each product are the claimed amounts and forms of lycopene and
serving sizes recommended on labels. Products listed as "Approved"
met their label claims and ConsumerLab.com's quality
criteria (see Passing Score). The full list of ingredients
(including special dietary designations) is available for each product by
clicking on the word "Ingredients" in the first column. Price and
cost comparisons, as well as additional product features and ingredients are
shown in the last column.
|
RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB.COM TESTING OF LYCOPENE SUPPLEMENTS |
||||||
|
Product Name, Listed
Amount of Lycopene per Unit, Serving Size, and Suggested Daily Serving on
Label |
Claimed Amount
Lycopene Per Labeled Daily Serving |
-- TEST RESULTS -- |
Cost For Daily
Suggested Serving On Label |
|||
|
OVERALL RESULTS: |
Contained Labeled
Amount of Lycopene |
Disintegrated
Properly |
||||
|
|
25 mg |
NOT |
Found only 14.9 mg
lycopene per daily serving (59.6% of listed amount) |
✔ |
$0.14 |
|
|
|
5 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.29-$0.58 |
|
|
|
30 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.83 |
|
|
|
30 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.40 |
|
|
|
10 mg to 20 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.23-$0.47 |
|
|
|
10 mg to 30 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.22-$0.66 |
|
|
|
20 mg to 40 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.36-$0.72 |
|
|
|
5 mg to 15 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.24-$0.72 |
|
|
Spring Valley™ [Walmart] Lycopene (10 mg per softgel; 1 softgel, twice
daily) |
20 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.20 |
|
|
|
20 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.13 |
|
|
|
15 mg |
APPROVED |
✔ |
NA |
$0.20 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
Unless otherwise noted, information about the products
listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for
this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label
information at any time, so be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating
the products you use or buy. If a product's
ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be of
the same quality as what was tested. |
||||||
|
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2019. All rights reserved.
Not to be reproduced, excerpted, or cited in any fashion without the express
written permission of ConsumerLab.com LLC. |
||||||
ConsumerTips™:
What to
Consider When Buying:
From food:
Lycopene from tomatoes is more bioavailable (more readily used by the body)
from cooked or processed tomato (as in tomato paste, juice, and ketchup) than
from raw tomato. Amounts of lycopene in typical serving sizes of
lycopene-containing foods are shown below:
·
Tomato juice: 23 mg / one cup
·
Tomato paste: 8 mg / ounce
·
Tomato sauce: 9.6 mg / 1/4 cup
·
Ketchup: 2.9 mg / tbsp
·
One medium tomato: 4.5 mg
·
One pink grapefruit: 2.3 mg
·
One sixteenth of a medium watermelon: 13.6 mg
As a supplement:
Lycopene in supplements seems to have a similar bioavailability to lycopene in
cooked foods and juice.
Most supplements contain naturally-derived lycopene, but synthetic lycopene is
also available and may be of interest to people allergic to tomatoes. Synthetic
lycopene appears to be as well-absorbed as natural-source lycopene.
A popular branded lycopene ingredient is Lycomato, or Lyc-o-mato, (from Lycored), a standardized tomato extract in an oleoresin
form which has a greasy consistency -- which is why it is best formulated as softgels. Only a small percent of Lycomato
is actually lycopene, but this is already factored into lycopene amounts listed
in Supplement Facts panels. Lycomato claims to be
non-GMO and allergen-free.
What to Consider When
Using:
Whether you take lycopene as a supplement or consume it from food, it
is important to take it with a meal containing fats or oils (which can
include foods rich in oil, such as avocado), as this can greatly increase
absorption. (Story, Annu
Rev Food Sci Technol 2010).
An optimum dosage for lycopene has not been established. Studies suggest
potential benefits from amounts ranging from just 4 mg to as much as 25 mg, as
discussed in the What It Does section.
Concerns and Cautions:
Lycopene
supplements are generally well-tolerated, although mild gastrointestinal
symptoms such as stomach upset, gas and bloating, diarrhea and vomiting have
been reported (Clark, Urology 2006; Jatoi, Urology 2007).
Average daily adult intake of lycopene from foods in the U.S. ranges from about
5 to 10 mg per day. In Europe, average daily intake is highest in Italy (7.4
mg) and lowest in the UK (1.1 mg). (Story, Annu Rev Food Sci
Technol 2010). However, the long-term safety of taking high amounts
of lycopene, e.g., 15 mg or more per day, has not been evaluated.
Rarely, allergic skin reactions and rashes have been reported
in clinical studies of lycopene supplementation (Devaraj, J Am Coll Nutr 2008; Banerjee, J Obstet
Gynaecol Res 2009). Although reports of allergic
reactions to tomatoes and tomato-based foods are rare, allergic reactions,
including rash, hives, throat swelling and anaphylaxis can occur in sensitive
individuals (Zacharisen, Allergy
Asthma Proc 2002).
High doses of calcium from supplements may decrease the
absorption of lycopene from foods. A small clinical study found that 500 mg of
calcium from a calcium carbonate supplement taken with a meal of pasta and pork
containing 19 mg of lycopene (from tomato paste) reduced the bioavailability of
the lycopene by 83%, compared to the same meal consumed without the supplement
(Borel, Br J Nutr 2017).
This is likely due to a reaction between carotenoids (such as lycopene, astaxanthin, and beta-carotene) and the
divalent ions of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, certain forms of iron,
and zinc making the carotenoids less bioavailable (Corte-Real, Food Chem 2016; Biehler, J Nutr 2011). It
is best to take lycopene or any carotenoid supplement at a different time of
day than a supplement or meal containing large amounts (hundreds of milligrams)
of a mineral.
In laboratory studies, lycopene has been shown to have antiplatelet effects and
to increase the antiplatelet effects of aspirin (Mozos, Front Pharmacol
2018). Although there do not appear to be published reports of increased
bleeding in people taking lycopene supplements, use with caution if you
take blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin
(Coumadin) and others.
Information on this site
is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any
product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or
other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be
used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Consumers should
inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they take.
Latest Clinical Research Updates for Lycopene Supplements
5/04/2021
Can taking lycopene
improve symptoms of BPH? Find out what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Lycopene
Supplements review. Also, see our Top Pick for lycopene.
7/03/2020
A recent study tested the
effects of lycopene supplementation on wrinkles around the eyes ("crow's
feet") in older women. Find out if it helped in the What It Does section
of the Lycopene Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick among lycopene supplements.
10/11/2019
Read about the latest
study to suggest that lycopene may improve sperm health in the What It Does section
of the Lycopene Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for lycopene.
Don't Take Minerals With Certain
Supplements
1/15/2019
Taking minerals like
calcium and magnesium can dramatically reduce the absorption of carotenoids
like lycopene, beta carotene, and astaxanthin. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section
of the Lycopene Supplements Review.
Lycopene May Improve Fertility
5/08/2014
A new review of clinical
studies reports lycopene supplementation improved measures of sperm health in
men and increased pregnancy rates. For details, as well as our tests of
lycopene supplements, see the updated Lycopene Supplements Review
>>
Related CL Answers (3)