| Lycopene: Just The Facts | | | | As we saw earlier studies at Harvard has shown the |
| As we saw in part 1 Tomatoes and tomato products | | | | diets of over 45,000 men consuming regular amounts |
| have a high level of beneficial antioxidants in their red | | | | of tomatoes and tomato products (which contain large |
| pigmentation which is called lycopene. | | | | amounts of lycopene) showed a measurable |
| So we know studies have shown that lycopene is an | | | | relationship and reduce the risk of prostate cancers. |
| open-chain unsaturated carotenoid that imparts red | | | | Therefore, with the increase of lycopene in the blood |
| color to tomatoes. (A caroteniod or carotene is an | | | | from the consumption of tomatoes and tomato |
| orange-yellow to red hydrocarbon occurring in many | | | | products the prostate cancer risk decreased. |
| plants that is converted to vitamin A by the liver.) | | | | There also have been studies at a university in Israel |
| Also Lycopene is a proven antioxidant that could lower | | | | that may have identified a unique mechanism in |
| the risk of heart disease and cancers. | | | | regards to lycopene. Lycopene protects against |
| So, in the human body, lycopene is deposited in the | | | | cancer which is by activating cancer preventive phase |
| colon and skin as well as the liver, lungs, and prostate | | | | II enzymes. However this is another subject for |
| gland. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be | | | | another day. |
| higher than all other carotenoids. | | | | With much more ongoing research, it also suggests |
| Studies for the control of disease in various worldwide | | | | that lycopene can reduce the risk of cancers of the |
| populations have shown that high intake of lycopene | | | | skin lung, bladder, cervix, serum lipid oxidation and |
| containing vegetables has a reverse affect when it is | | | | macular degenerative disease. |
| associated with certain types of cancer. For example, | | | | As we can clearly see, just like our mommies use to |
| Italians have shown to have a decrease of cancer risk | | | | tell us, "eat up your veggies honey for they will make |
| of the digestive tract when a habitual intake of tomato | | | | you big and strong" these studies are proving just |
| products has been consumed. | | | | what mama knew all along. |