What is lutein and lycopene?

Lutein and lycopene, two prevalent carotenoids in the human diet have become increasingly popular ingredients in dietary supplements. A large body of human and animal research suggests that oral forms of these carotenoids may provide benefits in the areas of eye, prostate, skin and cardiovascular health.

What are the benefits of taking lutein?

What are the lycopene health benefits?

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits, including sun protection, improved heart health and a lower risk of certain types of cancer. Though it can be found as a supplement, it may be most effective when consumed from lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes and other red or pink fruits.

What is lycopene?

Lycopene is a natural compound found in many foods, from pizza sauce and ketchup to watermelons and grapefruits. It's a chemical called a carotenoid, which are natural pigments that give color to plants, fruits, and vegetables. As a red carotenoid, lycopene is widely found in red and pink fruits and vegetables.

What is lutein made from?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are made only by plants, so animals normally get them by eating plants. Highest concentrations are found in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, swiss chard, and mustard and turnip greens − although these nutrients are also found in a variety of other vegetables (see table, below).

Lycopene Health Benefits

What is the use of lycopene?

Lycopene suggested uses include for cancer, preventing atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cataracts, asthma, antioxidant, and as an anti-inflammatory.

Does lutein raise blood pressure?

Some research suggests that high blood levels of lutein are linked with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Who should not take lycopene?

One study of a specific lycopene supplement (LycoRed) suggested that taking lycopene 2 mg daily starting at 12-20 weeks of pregnancy and continuing until delivery might increase the rates of premature births and low birth weights. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid lycopene other than that in food.

Is lycopene vitamin A?

Lycopene, a non-pro-vitamin A carotenoid, is synthesized by microorganisms and plants, especially by tomatoes, and it is one of the most potent antioxidants among the dietary carotenoids mainly due to its many conjugated double bonds (Krishnamoorthy et al., 2013).

When should I take lycopene?

Lycopene is primarily available in capsule and softgel form, with dosage guidelines from manufacturers ranging from 10 to 30 mg taken twice daily with meals.

What are the side effects of lycopene?

Potential adverse effects include low blood pressure, increased risk of bleeding, and gastrointestinal issues (3). There have been reports of lycopenaemia, a condition in which the skin turns orange after eating large amounts of lycopene-rich foods (2).

Do bananas have lycopene?

Bananas were fourth in accumulated lycopene (31.189±0.001mg/kg). Oranges were sixth in accumulated lycopene (13.1904 ±0.000 mg/kg). Grapes were the seventh accumulated lycopene (10.028±0.000) and jackfruits were the lowest in accumulated lycopene (4.122±0.000 mg/l).

What is the best source of lycopene?

Processed tomatoes have the highest amounts of lycopene, but watermelon, pink grapefruit, and fresh tomatoes are also good sources.

Who should take lutein?

An eye disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Taking lutein supplements by mouth for up to 36 months can improve some symptoms of AMD.

Does lutein really help eyes?

Lutein is a carotenoid with reported anti-inflammatory properties. A large body of evidence shows that lutein has several beneficial effects, especially on eye health. In particular, lutein is known to improve or even prevent age-related macular disease which is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment.

Who should eat lutein?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are widely recommended as dietary supplements to prevent visual loss or eye disease. They're usually sourced from marigold flowers and mixed with waxes but can also be made synthetically ( 10 ). These supplements are especially popular among older adults who are concerned about failing eye health.

Is lycopene a blood thinner?

Is Lycopene a blood thinner? Yes. Research has shown that Lycopene prevents the clotting of blood as it contains blood thinners. Hence, you should not take it with other blood-thinning agents such as aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners), antiplatelet drugs, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

Where is lutein found?

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the most common xanthophylls in green leafy vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach, broccoli, peas and lettuce) and egg yolks [25] (Table 1). They are also found at relatively high levels in einkorn, Khorasan and durum wheat and corn and their food products [26,27,28,29] (Table 1).

Is lycopene good for hair?

Poor blood circulation leads to an increase in hair loss because hair cannot fully receive nutrients. Lycopene plays a major role in improving blood flow and helping cell restoration, which is very beneficial for the health of the scalp. It also helps reduce inflammations and boosts the collagen production.

Is lycopene cancerous?

Lycopene exhibits antioxidant and anticancer properties. Results from several epidemiologic studies suggest a strong association between high intake of lycopene-rich foods and reduced risk of several cancers, notably prostate cancer.

Is lycopene good for kidneys?

Lycopene was able to decrease MDA, RAGE and TNF-α levels in the kidney. Thus, this carotenoid can be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of toxicity induced by oxidative stress in the kidney due to obesity.

Does lycopene cause weight gain?

Lycopene supplementation attenuates western diet-induced body weight gain through increasing the expressions of thermogenic/mitochondrial functional genes and improving insulin resistance in the adipose tissue of obese mice.

Does lutein affect the heart?

Lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids (antioxidants) found in fruits, vegetables and many eye health supplements, may be linked to an increased risk of heart attack, according to a study in Julys Journal of Nutrition.

Can lutein cause irregular heartbeat?

Low plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in the elderly, says a new study from Finland.

Does lutein Help the heart?

New research reveals that lutein can also help prevent cardio-metabolic disorders such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.