Lycopene Functions

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Many substances have the ability to protect our body from many diseases and aging processes of the body.

Many of them are found in various food products that are available all year round. To these useful substances we can include lycopene, as it has many useful properties for our body.

What is lycopene?

Plants have certain carotenoids - photochemicals / pigments that give color to the leaves, flowers and fruits of plants. These substances include lycopene (Lycopene), which has a powerful biological effect. This substance has the ability to color the fruit red or orange, while also helping to break down fats and is one of the strongest natural antioxidants.

The processes of energy production in cells occur with the active participation of oxygen. Chemically active molecules (free radicals) carry blood in the body and participate in oxidative processes.

They disrupt the work of cells and this is the main cause of aging. In turn, lycopene binds free radicals and prevents aging.

Benefits of lycopene

The substance has an extremely beneficial effect on the whole body, including helping to:

- no atherosclerotic plaques form in the blood;

- the elasticity of the vessels increases;

- cholesterol levels are reduced;

- improves the condition of the immune system, including preventing cancerous cell degeneration.

Of course, the causes of cancer are very different, and many of them are still being studied. However, it has been proven that one of the factors is free radicals, and even here lycopene is extremely useful. In addition, it has been shown that the high concentration of this substance in the blood reduces the risk of heart attack by as much as 50% and stroke by 39%.

In the observation of cancer patients with prostate neoplasms, lycopene has been shown to reduce cancer cell division and metastasis by 70-79%. In addition, it is able to normalize the intestinal flora, suppressing the growth of fungi and bacteria.

Such a protective effect is due to its ability to absorb ultraviolet rays and prevent skin cancer. Lycopene protects the body from damage by pesticides, toxins and yeast infections. It slows down and protects against several types of cancer:

- breast cancer;

- prostate cancer;

- lung cancer;

- kidney cancers.

Lycopene is useful and for vision while having a prophylactic effect against cataracts. As a result of oxidative stress, not only free radicals are formed, but also the tissues and vessels of the retina are destroyed. This is the main cause of some diseases of the visual organ in adults.

It affects the chemical processes that lead to macular degeneration in old age. The substance has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore has an extremely beneficial effect in a number of ocular pathologies, including those that lead to macular degeneration.

There are many causes of neuropathies: alcoholism, tumors, avitaminosis, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, limb amputation, degenerative tissue changes, chemical poisoning. One of the most complex and difficult to treat conditions is diabetic neuropathy, which is a very serious complication of microvessels in diabetes.

In this case, the treatment with the drugs is very likely to become addictive, and therefore to this day remains a very relevant issue with the search for alternative drugs that do not have this effect, but are able to relieve pain.

On the other hand lycopene has an analgesic effect and can be used in the treatment of various neuropathies. At the same time, it not only improves the patient's self-esteem and condition, but also helps to lose weight.

Lycopene is recommended also as a prophylactic in brain diseases and Alzheimer's disease. In general, this substance has a very beneficial effect in the treatment of neurological pathologies, including counteracting the destruction and death of brain cells.

It is very useful in spinal injuries and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Helps reduce epileptic seizures, due to the neuroprotective properties of the substance. Lycopene also helps with:

- hypertension (high blood pressure);

- coronary heart disease;

- varicose veins and thrombophlebitis;

- purification of toxins;

- recovery of patients after strokes, heart attacks and traumatic brain injuries (and to prevent these problems);

- atherosclerosis;

- kidney disease;

- strengthening the immunity and the skeletal system;

- has a beneficial effect on the lungs and protects against diseases of the respiratory system;

- improves the structure and quality of hair.

Unfortunately, our body cannot independently synthesize this substance, which is formed in plants during photosynthesis. To get it in sufficient quantity it is important to know which products are rich in lycopene.

For example, one of the signs that a product is rich in it is the bright and deep red color. Absolute champions in this regard are tomatoes, especially heat-treated. They are also found in watermelon, apricot, pink grapefruit, red cabbage, guava, papaya, asparagus, mango, carrots.

Take care of your health and always try to eat healthy and balanced. Not only will you be able to significantly improve your health and self-esteem, but it is also an effective prevention against a number of health conditions and pathologies.