Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Lycopene
Immune & Inflammation · Carotenoid antioxidant
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Lycopene as B- (6.2/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Cooked tomato matrix beats supplement on bioavailability and outcome data.
Typical use: 10-30 mg/day; food sources (cooked tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit) preferred — cooking with oil dramatically… — OTC.
What this is
Cooked tomato matrix beats supplement on bioavailability and outcome data. The prostate cancer story is the dominant residual claim and is genuinely mixed in the literature. Sun-protection effect is small but real (Stahl/Sies series). Cheap, low-risk, dietary-source preferred.
Mechanism
Acyclic open-chain carotenoid; potent singlet oxygen quencher (~2x beta-carotene); accumulates in prostate, skin, adipose; no provitamin A activity; bioavailability dramatically improved by cooking + fat (cis-isomer formation)
Dose & route
10-30 mg/day; food sources (cooked tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit) preferred — cooking with oil dramatically increases bioavailability
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26197925/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24142046/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16465309/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Lycopene work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Lycopene as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of B- (6.2/10). Cooked tomato matrix beats supplement on bioavailability and outcome data.
- Is Lycopene safe?
- Lycopene has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Lycopene?
- 10-30 mg/day; food sources (cooked tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit) preferred — cooking with oil dramatically increases bioavailability
- How does Lycopene work?
- Acyclic open-chain carotenoid; potent singlet oxygen quencher (~2x beta-carotene); accumulates in prostate, skin, adipose; no provitamin A activity; bioavailability dramatically improved by cooking + fat (cis-isomer formation)
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.