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.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 10-30 mg/day; food sources include cooked tomato and watermelon and pink grapefruit; cooking with oil… — OTC; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
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). Dietary sources have stronger bioavailability and outcome evidence than isolated supplements.
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)
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
10-30 mg/day; food sources include cooked tomato and watermelon and pink grapefruit; cooking with oil increases bioavailability
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Lycopene's effects?
- 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.
- What safety findings are reported for Lycopene?
- Lycopene has a low risk profile in the database. Low (rare carotenoderma at extremely high intake; no AREDS-style smoker concern documented) Legal status: OTC.
- What doses or routes are reported for Lycopene?
- 10-30 mg/day; food sources include cooked tomato and watermelon and pink grapefruit; cooking with oil increases bioavailability This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- 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.