Background
though it does not get a lot of attention, increased oxidative stress is associated with a
significant increased risk of osteoporosis. Numerous mechanisms have been elucidated and share many
common features with the effects of free radical damage associated with other diseases.
Fortunately, dietary and supplement strategies to bolster antioxidant defenses are an effective
means for protecting bone health just as it is in protecting against the development of other
chronic degenerative diseases.
Lycopene as a Bone Protector
lycopene, the red carotene found in relatively high concentration in tomatoes, has demonstrated
considerable health benefits including protecting against bone loss.
• lycopene is the most powerful carotenoid quencher of the singlet oxygen free radical.
• substantial scientific and clinical research has validated lycopene as a promoter of general
health.
• Considerable research indicates a protective effect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
even infertility.
New Data
to validate previous in vitro and in vivo studies showing that lycopene has a protective effect on
bone, sixty postmenopausal women, 50-60 years old, were divided into groups to consume: (1) regular
tomato juice, (2) lycopene-rich tomato juice, (3) lyc-O-Mato® lycopene capsules, or (4) placebo
capsules, twice daily for total lycopene intakes of 30-, 70-, 30-, and 0 mg/day, respectively, for
4 months. serum collected after the washout,
2 and 4 months of supplementation, was assayed for cross-linked amino-terminal N-telopeptide (a
marker of bone breakdown), lycopene content, total antioxidant capacity (taC), and lipid and
protein oxidation.
the results showed convincing evidence that subjects who consumed lycopene in any form experienced
significant increases in serum lycopene concentrations and taC while decreasing the markers of
bone
breakdown and oxidative stress.
