In men, the prostate gland surrounds part of the urethra and makes some components of semen. Several ailments involve the prostate, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 200,000 American men developed prostate cancer in 2010. Lycopene is a natural compound found in certain foods that may help prevent prostate cancer or speed recovery when the condition is already present. Consult your doctor to discuss whether lycopene might be helpful for you.
Causes and Risk Factors
Prostate cancer develops when DNA in normal prostate cells is damaged. This damage may be inherited. The American Cancer Society lists being over age 50 as the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer. The disease is also more common among black men. Your risk is also increased if you have a family history of the disorder, are obese or eat a high-fat diet, have a family history of prostate cancer or are a smoker.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a natural chemical found in tomatoes and several other foods, such as watermelon and grapefruit. It is a pigment that gives these foods their red color and is a member of a class of compounds called carotenoids. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that removes potentially damaging free radicals from your body. These byproducts of metabolism may damage cellular membranes and DNA. Lycopene may also boost your immune system, helping immune cells detect and destroy abnormal cells. Some research studies identify lycopene as potentially valuable in preventing some cancers, including prostate cancer.
Evidence
Several clinical studies with human subjects identify lycopene as a compound that might prevent prostate cancer. In one study published in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" in 1995, more than 47,000 volunteers were questioned about their intake of vegetables containing several carotenoids. The authors identified lycopene as a carotenoid that significantly reduces risk of prostate cancer. In a clinical study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2008, subjects with prostate disease involving abnormal cell growth who consumed lycopene experienced less progression of their condition compared to those who took a placebo.
Recommendations and Precautions
The richest food source of lycopene is tomatoes. To increase your consumption of lycopene, consume tomatoes or tomato-based foods regularly. Alternatively, lycopene supplements are available from most health food stores as capsules or tablets. Lycopene supplements are generally considered safe and without significant side effects. However, lycopene may interact with some medications, including chemotherapy drugs. Discuss use of lycopene with your doctor before adding it to your regular regimen.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Prostate Problems
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Lycopene
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients ...; S. Schwartz et al.; January 2008
- American Cancer Society: Lycopene
- American Cancer Society: Prostate Cancer Overview
- "Journal of the National Cancer Institute"; Intake of Carotenoids and Retinol in Relation to Risk of Prostate Cancer; E. Giovannucci et al.; December 1995
