Lycopene

Lycopene is an antioxidant necessary for the human body. Consider its useful properties, products containing this substance and application features.

Lycopene is a red pigment that breaks down fats. In large quantities it is found in tomatoes. Lycopene refers to carotenoid pigments of natural origin, which are responsible for the bright color of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and autumn leaves. It is rightly considered to be the best antioxidant and more effective than other carotenoids. Foods rich in this substance protect the body cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, so they can be used to prevent certain types of cancer. Lycopene prevents the oxidation of cholesterol, which is the prevention of cardiovascular disease and protects against atherosclerosis.

Antioxidants are needed by everyone, as they form a healthy heart and a vascular system. Many nutritionists claim that adhering to a diet rich in food with lycopene can prevent ischemic heart disease. Lycopene is very important for people who regularly smoke and consume alcohol, because the body is deficient in carotenoids. Most of this substance is found in tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, guava, pumpkin, persimmon and apricots.

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Use of lycopene

The use of lycopene for the body is that this substance suppresses the pathogenic microflora in the intestine, normalizes the appetite and promotes weight loss, normalizes cholesterol metabolism in the body and prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Lycopene has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it can be used as a preventive measure for various diseases, including liver disorders. Antioxidant is useful for the skin, strengthens the walls of capillaries and vessels. The interaction of lycopene with other carotenoids improves tanning and reduces the risk of sunburn.

Useful properties of lycopene:

• Activation of digestion and weight loss.
• Antifungal and antibacterial effect.
• Normalization of acid-base balance in the body.
• Normalization of cholesterol metabolism and participation in hematopoiesis.
• Strengthening of the cardiovascular system.
• Suppression of pathogenic intestinal microflora.

Properties of lycopene

The properties of lycopene are irreplaceable for the human body. The substance activates the process of digestion and normalizes the exchange of cholesterol. The use of products with antioxidants normalizes appetite, maintains an acid-base balance, suppresses pathogenic intestinal microflora, promotes weight loss and protects against cardiovascular diseases. Due to antifungal and antibacterial properties, lycopene strengthens the walls of capillaries and vessels, which allows to nourish and rejuvenate the skin of the face. Plant pigment is used to prevent various lesions of the liver.

• Since lycopene is an antioxidant, it destroys free radicals, that is, molecules that cause various diseases. Lycopene diet reduces the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases, both the cardiovascular system and internal organs.
• A high level of lycopene reduces the level of oxidized components of DNA, it acts as a kind of prevention of cancer of the stomach and prostate. In addition, it is lycopene is the only carotenoid that prevents cancer.
• According to recent clinical studies, the regular use of lycopene slows the rate of cancer cell proliferation by about 70%. If you eat tomatoes a couple of times a week, it will reduce the risk of cancer by 35%.

Instructions for lycopene

The instruction for lycopene, as well as for any other preparation, allows you to learn about the indications for its use and contraindications, side effects, dosage and other uses. Plant antioxidant refers to immunostimulating drugs.

• The main indications for use are treatment and prevention of pancreatic and gastrointestinal diseases, anemia, chronic constipation, dysbacteriosis, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, avitaminosis, skin lesions, disorders of mineral metabolism, therapy of secondary immunodeficiencies.
• Lycopene is contraindicated in patients of childhood and in cholelithiasis. Pregnancy and lactation period, hypersensitivity to the drug, are also contraindications.
• The drug is taken before meals. For patients aged 12-14 years, the recommended dose is 1 tablet 1 time per day, from 14-16 years 1 tablet 1-2 times a day and adults 2 tablets 1-3 times a day. Norm of the drug - no more than 10 mg per day, so, for example, in tomatoes contains from 5-50 mg / kg, and in grapefruit 30 mg / kg.

Contraindications to the use of lycopene

Contraindications to the use of lycopene are minimal. Vegetative pigment is not recommended for people with cholelithiasis, women during pregnancy and lactation, and children under 12 years of age. Contraindications concern large doses of lycopene, both natural origin and pharmaceutical products.

The norm of the use of carotenoids is not established, but the lower limit is not less than 1 tablespoon of tomato paste per day. 500 ml of tomato juice contains 40 mg of lycopene, the daily use of this amount of natural antioxidant can correct the cholesterol in the body. Lycopene is fat-soluble, but its digestion requires fats. Lack of fat in the lycopene diet leads to lesions of the gallbladder.

Antioxidant is not toxic, but its increased doses can cause orange-yellow color of the skin and liver, a phenomenon called lycopenodermia. But under certain circumstances, lycopene oxidizes and turns into a free radical. Oxidizer is cigarette smoke. Thus, according to studies, smokers who have taken lycopene supplements for a long time have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular and cancerous diseases.

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Where is lycopene?

Where does lycopene and what foods should be consumed to maintain a normal level of carotenoids in the blood? So, the leader in the content of this substance are tomatoes. In this case, red fruits of the vegetable contain less lycopene, in contrast to orange varieties. The peculiarity of vegetable antioxidant is that it does not break down after heat treatment, it is stored and concentrated in products: juice, paste, ketchup. The second for the content of lycopene is watermelon, red grapefruit and guava.

In large quantities, the substance is found in vegetables, fruits and berries of red color. But do not forget that lycopene is a coloring substance, therefore at increased doses it can change the pigmentation of the skin. For example, in Thailand it is not customary to eat tomatoes, as many people believe that the vegetable causes dark spots on the skin.

Lycopene is well absorbed after heat treatment, unlike other vegetables and fruits, which are better absorbed in raw form. So, the ideal source of antioxidant are stewed tomatoes or any other dish from tomatoes, in which vegetable oils are present. Lycopene should enter the body with food, as it contributes to its accumulation in the cells of the organs. For example, if you do not eat tomatoes or tomato dishes for a week, then the level of lycopene in the body will drop by 50%.

Lycopene in foods

Lycopene in foods is a plant pigment that has antioxidant properties. The substance is not destroyed by heat treatment, but rather promotes its better absorption. In large quantities it is contained in tomatoes. Two glasses of tomato juice provide a daily requirement for a plant antioxidant.

Product	Lycopene content mg / 100 g wet weight
Fresh Tomatoes	0.72-20
Tomato juice	5-11.6
Tomato sauce	6.20
Tomato paste	5.40-150
Ketchup	9.90-13.44
Melon	2.3-7.2
Guava	5.23-5.50
Grapefruit	0.35-3.36
Carrot	0.65-0.78
Apricot	0.01-0.05

Lycopene is found in some fruits, vegetables and berries: tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava, watermelon, pomegranate, dog rose, persimmon, apricots, papaya, beets, red cabbage, carrots, asparagus, red sweet pepper. The leader in the content of plant antioxidant is tomato, which has real juvenile properties. So, to provide the body with a daily dose of lycopene, you need to consume 5-15 kg of tomatoes, 500 ml of tomato juice or 1 spoon of tomato paste. The substance has a beneficial effect on the entire body, contributes to the increase of collagen in the skin by 30%.

Lycopene in tomatoes

Lycopene in tomatoes is found in large quantities, so this vegetable is indispensable for the human body. Seeds of tomatoes are useful for the circulatory system, they dilute blood and reduce the risk of developing serious diseases, including thrombosis. That's why for the prevention of the cardiovascular system it is recommended to eat tomatoes with seeds. As for the skin of a vegetable, many do not consume it, because it is not digested. But it is this factor that contributes to the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract and is an excellent prevention of constipation.

For better digestion of lycopene, tomatoes are recommended for use after preliminary heat treatment. The antioxidant is perfectly digested from ketchup, tomato paste or tomato juice, unlike fresh fruit. But you need to know the measure, since excessive consumption of tomatoes by people with cholelithiasis causes an exacerbation of the disease. A prolonged use of tomato juice in combination with starch-containing products leads to the formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys. Restrictions apply to canned, marinated and salted tomatoes. Because of the high content of table salt in these products, they are not recommended for people with hypertension and any other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Lycopene in the pharmacy

Lycopene in the pharmacy is sold in the form of capsules, tablets and powder for oral administration. This substance belongs to carotenoids, but does not have A-vitamin activity. That is, the main function of lycopene is antioxidant. The plant pigment has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Let us consider the main properties of lycopene for the human body:

• Prevention of cancer - regular use of foods with an antioxidant reduces the risk of lung, stomach and prostate cancer.
• Prevention of cardiovascular disease - reduces the risk of developing ischemic disease and atherosclerosis.
• Prophylaxis of eye diseases - products of lycopene oxidation are necessary for the retina, since they slow down degenerative processes. A high level of lycopene in the blood reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Lycopene is effective in the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases.

Preparations that contain a plant antioxidant are produced by extraction from plants. It can be used as a food additive, as a rule, it is the dye E160d. The substance is also used in the cosmetic industry, as a dye and an active component of masks for skin care.

Apiferrum with lycopene

Apiferrum with lycopene is a healing preparation with a restorative effect. It contains various enzymes and antioxidants, including lycopene. The use of Apiferrum promotes the natural withdrawal of toxins, toxins, inflammatory agents and metabolic products from the blood. The medicine reduces blood cholesterol by 15%, normalizes appetite and acid-base balance in the body.

The drug positively influences hemopoiesis, promotes rapid healing of wounds after injuries, fractures and surgical interventions, accelerates the recovery processes. The composition of Apiferrum includes a complex of tomato lycopene, natural honey, propolis, sesame and garlic oil, dried deer blood and other components. Take the drug without medical appointment.

Balsam apiferrum with lycopene

Balsam apiferrum with lycopene is a biologically active additive to food. The drug is a source of lycopene, polyphenolic compounds, iron, linoleic acid and other components necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Balm normalizes appetite and cholesterol in the blood, prevents the development of atherosclerosis and many chronic diseases.

Indications for use of balm:

• Disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system and hemopoiesis: pressure drops, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, stenocardia, arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke, anemia, decreased hemoglobin. •
• Prophylaxis of oncological diseases.
• Treatment and prevention of digestive system diseases: gastritis, liver damage.
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, arthritis and others.
• The drug is effective in defeating the immune system, with viral diseases and frequent colds.
• Illnesses of the nervous system, overwork, worsening of attention and memory.
• Disorders in the work of the genitourinary system: gynecological diseases, prostatitis, adenoma.
• Diseases of the skin and endocrine system.

Balm is contraindicated to use in allergic reactions to bee products, during pregnancy and lactation and with individual intolerance of dietary supplements.

Before applying Apiferrum it is recommended to consult with your doctor. Adults and patients older than 14 years are allowed to take 2-3 teaspoons of balsam 2 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. Duration of 4-6 weeks, if necessary, treatment can be repeated.

Lacto Lycopene

Lakto lycopene is a substance that stimulates the renewal of deep layers of the skin, the synthesis of elastin and collagen. It protects collagen fibers from destruction and has a high bioavailability unlike conventional lycopene. The lacto antioxidant is developed by the INNEOV laboratory and is available in the form of tablets.

The drug is recommended for women with signs of aging of the body and face, that is, with a dull skin color, superficial and deep wrinkles, with a reduction in the density and elasticity of the skin. Lakto lycopene is easily absorbed by the body and penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin and has a beneficial effect on cellular fibers.

In addition to lycopene, the preparation contains vitamin C, which acts as a powerful antioxidant and improves the synthesis of elastin and collagen fibers. Soy isoflavones improve cell renewal and activate the synthesis of new fibers. The drug is recommended to take at least three months, 2 tablets once a day.

Lycopene in tablets

Lycopene in tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have shown that drugs that contain this antioxidant reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. The most popular tablets with lycopene are: Ateronon, Lycopid, Lycoprofit, Apiferrum, Tyanshi and others. The composition of the preparations includes a plant pigment and most often such means are used to restore the arteries.

Regular use of tablets improves blood flow, softens the arteries, which can harden with age, restore the efficiency of blood vessels and reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Tablets activate the process of digestion, suppress the pathogenic intestinal microflora, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, have antibacterial and antifungal action.

The price of lycopene

The price of lycopene depends on the form of release of the preparation, the additional components that make up the biologically active additive, the manufacturer and the pharmacy network in which it is put up for sale.

• Lakto lycopene costs about 570 UAH.
• Balsam Ateronon with lycopene - from 150 UAH.
• Lycopene in the form of tablets and capsules from 400 UAH. For 100 pieces.

But do not forget that an organic antioxidant can be obtained from vegetables, fruits and berries, which are not only beneficial to the body, but also delicious.

Reviews about lycopene

Numerous positive reviews about lycopene, confirm its irreplaceable properties for the human body. Herbal antioxidant is an excellent preventive maintenance of diseases of the cardiovascular system and significantly reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Lycopene is found in vegetables and fruits, and also comes in the form of dietary supplements and tablets. Eating a few tomatoes a day, drinking a couple of glasses of tomato juice or eating a spoonful of tomato paste, you can completely protect the body from the negative effects of the environment.