Gregory Chandler -- Lycopene and Heart Health

In one heart health study, 126 healthy men, average age 34, took 6 mg of the antioxidant lycopene per day, 15 mg of lycopene per day or a placebo.

After eight weeks, antioxidant activity in the blood increased in both lycopene groups, and decreased for the placebo group.

In the high-dose lycopene group, there was less DNA damage, better blood vessel flexibility, and a beneficial increase in size of LDL cholesterol particles compared to the other two groups.

In addition, systolic blood pressure, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein--a sign of inflammation--declined significantly in the high-dose lycopene group.

Lycopene is the bright red carotenoid pigment found in red fruits and vegetables like tomatoes.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law