Study Unlocks Lycopene's Heart-Health Benefits
Lee Swanson Research Update
A daily supplement of 15 mg for eight weeks was associated with increased activity of SOD (super oxide dismutase), a powerful antioxidant enzyme, as well as reductions in measures of DNA damage in white blood cells, according to results published in the journal Atherosclerosis.
Furthermore, the apparent benefits extended to a reduction in systolic blood pressure and a decrease in levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). CRP is a marker of inflammation and is reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular-related events.
"These results add to the growing literature on potential protective effects of the antioxidant lycopene in atherosclerosis through an anti-inflammatory effect and preserving endothelial function," wrote the researchers, led by Jong Ho Lee from Yonsei University in South Korea.
Lycopene is an antioxidant that is present in red- and pink-colored fruits and vegetables. It has been shown to have heart, blood pressure, prostate, osteoporosis, skin and other benefits in both natural and synthetic forms.
The South Korean researchers recruited 126 healthy men with an average age of 34 and an average BMI of 24 mg/m2, and randomly assigned them to receive a daily 6 mg or 15 mg supplement of lycopene (Lyc-O-Mato®, Lycored), or placebo for eight weeks.
At the end of the study the researchers reported that SOD activity increased by 2.37 units per milliliter in the high-dose group, compared with an increase of 1.73 units per milliliter in the 6 mg group and a decrease in activity in the placebo group.
In addition, DNA damage was reduced in the high-dose group, compared with the other groups. Endothelial function—the function of the cells lining blood vessels—was also improved significantly following the high-dose group.
"Interestingly, the beneficial effects of lycopene supplementation on endothelial function were remarkable in subjects with relatively impaired endothelial cell function at initial level," the researchers reported.
CRP levels decreased by 57% in the high-dose group, while no significant reductions were recorded in the other two groups, the researchers said.
"Subjects supplemented with 15 mg lycopene daily for eight weeks also showed reduction in other cardiovascular risk factors, for example, an increase in LDL particle size," the researchers reported. "Since the lycopene capsule used in this study also contains beta-carotene (greater than 0.5 mg), the subjects in the 15 mg lycopene-per-day group had a 65% increase in lycopene concentration and a 20% increase in beta-carotene, which is a known effective antioxidant that inactivates free radicals, inversely correlates with CRP and slows the progression of atherosclerosis.
"Therefore, a synergistic effect of lycopene and beta-carotene in the 15 mg lycopene-per-day group likely increased the beneficial effects on these atherosclerosis risk factors," they added.
Atherosclerosis Published online ahead of print.
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Feb. 2011