Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is common condition. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, by age 60, most men have some degree of prostate enlargement. Although not harmful in itself, an enlarged prostate causes annoying symptoms, including the urge to urinate frequently and an inability to empty the bladder fully. If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia, your doctor may prescribe drugs or refer you for minimally invasive surgery, depending on the severity of your symptoms. An antioxidant known as lycopene may also help to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, though evidence to prove it is effective is limited. Get medical advice before taking a lycopene supplement.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Also known as non-provitamin A carotenoid, lycopene is an antioxidant synthesized by plants and may have a role in the treatment of numerous ailments, including macular degeneration, exercise-induced asthma and heart disease. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it may also benefit men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Sources and Administration
A number of food sources contain lycopene, including tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. It is also available as a dietary supplement. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that no optimal dosage has been established for the treatment of an enlarged prostate. RxList adds that an appropriate dose of lycopene may depend on a number of factors, including age and an individual's general health. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to advise you on a suitable dose.
Effectiveness
Studies examining the role of lycopene in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are limited. However, the results of a study published in the November 2003 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" show that lycopene inhibits the growth of prostate cells, leading the authors to conclude that it may have an effect on the enlargement of prostate tissue. Clinical research findings published in the January 2008 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" also found that lycopene inhibited prostate enlargement.
Safety Considerations
RxList states that dietary quantities of lycopene are likely safe, but adds that there is not enough information to say whether lycopene supplements are safe. However, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that no adverse effects have been reported from appropriate use of lycopene. Keep in mind that consuming large amounts of lycopene-rich foods as a means of obtaining this compound may discolor your skin.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Lycopene
- RxList: Lycopene
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Lycopene Inhibits the Growth of Normal Human Prostate Epithelial Cells In Vitro; U.C. Obermüller-Jevic, et al.; November 2003
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients With Benign Prostate Hyperplasia; S. Schwarz et al.; January 2008
