Lycopene is a potent antioxidant and carotenoid, or plant pigment, which may help protect your cells against damage. The primary dietary source of lycopene is the tomato, though fruits such as watermelon, papaya, apricots and grapefruit also contain this nutrient. You might also increase your intake of lycopene by adding a lycopene supplement to your daily diet. Talk with your health care provider about the benefits and potential problems associated with lycopene before taking this type of nutritional supplement.
Benefits
Health professionals with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center report that lycopene might help protect against the development of heart disease, macular degeneration and certain forms of cancer. This antioxidant is believed to work by protecting cells from oxidative damage and preventing cancer cell replications; however, more extensive research in humans is necessary to substantiate these purported health benefits.
Side Effects
Treatment with lycopene supplements may induce mild stomach discomfort and might cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting or indigestion. You might also experience diarrhea accompanied by abdominal gas, cramping or bloating. Long-term treatment with lycopene supplements might cause lycopenodermia -- a side effect characterized by an abnormal orange discoloration of the skin. Skin discoloration associated with prolonged lycopene treatment is temporary, and normal skin coloration returns once treatment ends. If you are concerned or bothered by these lycopene side effects, seek additional care from your medical provider.
Contraindications
If you have a known allergy to tomatoes or lycopene, do not take lycopene supplements. Improper use of these supplements by hypersensitive people might induce a severe allergic reaction characterized by hives, breathing problems, weakness or loss of consciousness. Additionally, the safety and efficacy of lycopene supplementation in pregnant or nursing women have not been fully examined. As such, expectant or breastfeeding mothers should not take lycopene supplements unless otherwise instructed by a doctor.
Medication Interactions
Before beginning treatment with a new supplement or medication, be sure to discuss all medications you are currently taking with your health care provider. Health professionals with the report that due to the protective effects of this antioxidant, lycopene supplements might interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. As of January 2011, no additional medication interactions are known to be associated with lycopene supplements.
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