What Are Lycopene Supplements?
Lycopene is a pigment molecule found in red- and pink-colored fruits and vegetables. This molecule, an antioxidant, gives color to foods such as watermelons, tomatoes and pink grapefruits. It is relatively easy to get plenty of lycopene in the diet, but for some people, lycopene supplements might be required to increase the amount of lycopene available for use in the body. The use of lycopene supplements should be considered carefully, however, and these products should be purchased only from a reputable manufacturer. Lycopene is in a class of molecules called carotenoids. These are active in several organs and tissues, including the skin, blood, liver, lungs, adrenals, colon and prostate. Lycopene has antioxidant properties which, in the plant, help provide protection against oxidative damage caused by constant sun exposure. In humans, antioxidants help protect against similar types of cellular damage and are thought to play an important role in disease prevention.
