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Quotes about Lycopene from the world's top natural health / natural living authors

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"The reduced lycopene concentration in raw tomatoes does not warrant cooking, especially since there are many ways to get sufficient lycopene, such as eating watermelon or strawberries. According to Dr. Atkins, blending the raw tomatoes releases the lycopene just as well as heating them anyhow. Another example sometimes cited to indicate the superiority of cooked food is that cooking a carrot softens the tough cellulose cell wall, thus enabling more absorption of beta-carotene. Yet cooking the carrot denatures or destroys other nutrients, such as Vitamin C, and completely kills all the enzymes." - Susan E. Schenck, The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet (Get the book.)

"Lycopene is a retinoid found in abundance in tomato products and watermelon. lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid stored in the prostate gland, and it is more potent than beta carotene in protecting against prostate cancer. But lycopene is not stored for very long, which means that a daily dose of lycopene-rich food is in every man's best interest. lycopene is absorbed better when tomatoes are cooked with olive oil or baked. If you cannot include tomato-based foods in your diet, then take lycopene supplements (see appendix F)." - J. Robert Hatherill, Eat To Beat Cancer: A Research Scientist Explains How You and Your Family Can Avoid Up to 90% of All Cancers (Get the book.)

"Then, forget Beta Carotene; suddenly, everyone was touting anothet catotenoid, lycopene. lycopene prevents prostate cancer Then there was Lutein, also a carotenoid. Lutein prevents macular degeneration. But once again, if we turn to nature, we see that nature already packed all of these things together in a complex. The seaweed, Dunaliella salina, for example, contains all of the popular carotenoids plus a whole slew of others, such as Alpha carotene and Zeaxanthin." - Jon Barron, Lessons from The Miracle Doctors: A Step-by-Step Guide to Optimum Health and Relief from Catastrophic Illness (Get the book.)

"In fact, recent studies have found that high serum levels of lycopene and alpha-carotene are associated with a decreased risk of cervical dysplasia,27 and increasing serum levels of lycopene alone was found to increase clearance of oncogenic HPV infections by over 50 percent.28-29 My own research study investigating natural treatment methods for cervical atypia, cervical dysplasias, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix used beta-carotene supplementation as one part of a multifactorial supplementation and local treatment protocol. I found a high success rate using this combination protocol." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"But lycopene is not stored for very long, which means that a daily dose of lycopene-rich food is in every man's best interest. lycopene is absorbed better when tomatoes are cooked with olive oil or baked. If you cannot include tomato-based foods in your diet, then take lycopene supplements (see appendix F). Also, limit synthetic fat intake, since it reduces beta carotene and the amount of lycopene in the body. Obesity Nine out of ten studies have shown increasing risk for prostate cancer with increasing degrees of obesity." - J. Robert Hatherill, Eat To Beat Cancer: A Research Scientist Explains How You and Your Family Can Avoid Up to 90% of All Cancers (Get the book.)

"A carotenoid (as is beta carotene), lycopene serves as an antioxidant, blocks UVA and UVB rays, and is strongly suspected of arresting the growth of cancer cells, especially of the prostate. lycopene is especially plentiful in tomatoes and tomato-based products and works better when combined wirh a small amount of fat. lycopene has roughly twice the power of beta carotene and ten times the strength of vitamin E when it comes to neutralizing free radicals. In the human body, you will find lycopene in the blood and the skin. Lysine An essential amino acid." - Dianne Onstad, Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods (Get the book.)

"Carotenes include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, cryproxanthin, gamma-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, and lycopene. Studies have shown that beta-carotene deficiency in the cervical cells plays an etiologic role in the development of cervical dysplasia.24 In addition, a significant decrease in plasma beta-carotene levels is found in women with either cervical dysplasia or cancer of the cervix.25 It has been suspected that carotenes like lycopene, found in tomatoes, are more responsible for an improvement in dysplasia than is beta-carotene or the other carotenes." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"For example, the simultaneous ingestion of fats increases the availability of lycopene and carotenoids supplements. Some vitamins are actually more effective in supplements than in foodstuffs (e.g., vitamin A is more bioavailable in supplement than in spinach or sweet potato). On the other hand, lycopene is more available from eggs than from supplements, and cooking tomatoes increases its availability. The usability of vitamins in food varies with the method of preparation. "Far too little is known about nutrient availability as a function of plant variety and maturity." - Gerald E. Markle and Frances B. McCrea, What If Medicine Disappeared? (Get the book.)

"In fact, recent studies have found that high serum levels of lycopene and alpha-carotene are associated with a decreased risk of cervical dysplasia,27 and increasing serum levels of lycopene alone was found to increase clearance of oncogenic HPV infections by over 50 percent.28-29 My own research study investigating natural treatment methods for cervical atypia, cervical dysplasias, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix used beta-carotene supplementation as one part of a multifactorial supplementation and local treatment protocol. I found a high success rate using this combination protocol." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"Recent studies cite lycopene for maintaining heart health, and for cancer prevention. lycopene exhibits anticancer properties in animal studies, in vitro, and in human beings. A large human case-control study found that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods, especially tomatoes and tomato products, may lead to reduced myocardial infarction risk. lycopene prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidizing and building deposits on walls of arteries; it thus curbs development of atherosclerosis. The role of lycopene in prevention of prostate cancer is documented. Reduced L-Glutathione." - Gary Null, Gary Null's Power Aging (Get the book.)

"Red tomatoes contain a pigment called lycopene. In the human body lycopene becomes a scavenger of free radicals, again preventing the modifications to cells which might cause them to become cancerous.100 Eating tomatoes on a regular basis will keep a steady supply of lycopene in your body. Since lycopene does not appear to be affected by heat, it is also possible to obtain it from tomato sauces, canned tomatoes, and similar I products — though the vitamin C content of these sources will generally be lower than what is found in a ripe tomato." - Duncan Long, Attaining Medical Self Sufficiency (Get the book.)

"A recent animal study suggests that lycopene supplementation (high in yellow/orange fruits and vegetables and especially high in tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato juice) may decrease the incidence and size of leiomyomas.23 Another study extolled the benefits of a vegetarian diet by finding that women who suffered from fibroids were more likely to have high consumption of red meat and ham and have low consumption of fruits and green vegetables.24 Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, buckwheat, millet, and rye are excellent sources of B vitamins." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"Many nutrients and food groups are well known for their ability to reduce cancer risk: the consumption of fruits, vegetables and flax seed; cruciferous vegetables and garlic; and antioxidants such as lycopene, selenium, folic acid and vitamin B-12 and D. Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria commonly found in dairy products, are also supported as dietary elements to reduce cancer risk. Probiotics offer anti-cancer benefits including the ability to reduce pro-carcinogenic enzymes and produce short chain fatty acids which create a healthy colon pH which is associated with lower risks of cancer." - Allison Tannis, Probiotic Rescue: How You can use Probiotics to Fight Cholesterol, Cancer, Superbugs, Digestive Complaints and More (Get the book.)

"The cook does not need to know, as the scientists have recently informed us, that cooking the tomatoes with olive oil makes the lycopene in them more available to our bodies. No, the cook already knew that olive oil with tomatoes is a really good idea. As cook in your kitchen you enjoy an omniscience about your food that no amount of supermarket study or label reading could hope to match." - Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto (Get the book.) "The olive oil with which I eat tomatoes makes the lycopene they contain more available to my body. Some of those compounds in the sprig of thyme may affect my digestion of the dish I add it to, helping to break down one compound or stimulate production of an enzyme needed to detoxify another. We have barely begun to understand the relationships among foods in a cuisine. But we do understand some of the simplest relationships among foods, like the zero-sum relationship: If you eat a lot of one thing, you're probably not eating a lot of something else." - Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto (Get the book.)

"Look for antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, bioflavanoids, resveratrol, zinc, and selenium. You'll want a formulation that includes the full spectrum of B vitamins, including the activated forms of B2 and Bfi (riboflavin-5 -phosphate and pyridoxal-5 -phosphate, respectively). You'll also want a multivitamin formula that includes vitamin D3, and make sure the vitamin E is in the form of d-alpha-tocopherol. Avoid the "dl" form, which is synthetic. You'll want a high-potency vitamin C (about 1,000 mg) provided by ascorbic acid." - Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps (Get the book.)

"As well, the consumption of antioxidants such as lycopene, selenium, folic acid, vitamin B-12 and D are well known to reduce the risk of cancer. Also, the microbes in your body and your immune system play a role in preventing and stopping carcinogens from causing cancer in your body. When we look at various populations, we see that the consumption of probiotic-containing foods reduces the rate of cancer. Animal studies have found that some probiotics can prevent or help treat tumors." - Allison Tannis, Probiotic Rescue: How You can use Probiotics to Fight Cholesterol, Cancer, Superbugs, Digestive Complaints and More (Get the book.)

"Vitamins C, E, CoQIO, bioflavonoids, alpha-lipoic acid, beta-carotene, lycopene, and selenium are a few of the important antioxidants. Having just one working for you—like vitamin C—but none of the others is like fielding a team with one all-star and no supporting players. We want the whole team in action, not one player alone. Dr. Roberts: Years ago, as a busy cardiologist in my midthirties, I believed that vitamin therapy was bogus medicine with the potential to harm patients. I believed this because my professors had told me so." - Stephen Sinatra, M.D. and James C., M.D. Roberts, Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late (Get the book.) "The better combinations give you healing amounts of B vitamins, magnesium, bioflavonoids, lycopene, lutein, and other supportive nutrients for the cardiovascular system. Moreover, they are made to be more absorbable. You pay more, but you get more. We like multivitamins that are low in beta-carotene (less than 10,000 IU per day), do not contain iron, and offer a variety of vitamin E compounds (see vitamin E discussion further on in this chapter). Most medical studies on supplements involve single nutrients." - Stephen Sinatra, M.D. and James C., M.D. Roberts, Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late (Get the book.)

"Carotenoids (p-Carotene and lycopene). The epidemiologic evidence related to carotenoids and prostate cancer is inconsistent. With regard to p-carotene intake, several case-control studies reported an inverse association [62, 74, 88, 123, 207, 276, 277], though more of them offered no support for a protective effect [47, 56, 60, 80, 109, 110, 113, 116, 122, 210, 213]. Furthermore, the findings often differed between younger and older men." - Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey, Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease (Get the book.)

"Lycopene is especially plentiful in tomatoes and tomato-based products and works better when combined wirh a small amount of fat. lycopene has roughly twice the power of beta carotene and ten times the strength of vitamin E when it comes to neutralizing free radicals. In the human body, you will find lycopene in the blood and the skin. Lysine An essential amino acid. The best sources are fish, cheese, meat, eggs, and yeast. Megadose A dose that is ten times the level recommended as safe and adequate." - Dianne Onstad, Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods (Get the book.)

"Anything pink—like watermelons, pink grapefruit or cara cara oranges—contains lycopene, an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals. Reds and purples—blueberries, cherries, apple skin, blood oranges and pomegranates—are indicators of anthocyanins, a flavanoid shown in a 2007 study to destroy cancerous cells without affecting healthy human cells. Orange fruits—papayas, mangoes and peaches—contain carotenoids that protect against heart disease and muscular degeneration." - Adam Leith Gollne, The Fruit Hunters: A Story of Nature, Adventure, Commerce and Obsession (Get the book.)

"Antioxidant cosmeceutical ingredients include vitamins such as B-5 (and its synthetic derivative panthenol), C, E, and nicotinamide; lycopene; polyphenols such as coffeeberry in coffee plant fruit and resveratrol in grapes; genistein, the isoflavone in soy milk and fermented soy; EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate); pycnogenol, an extract of French marine pine bark; grape seed extract; and DMAE, found in cold-water fish, particularly salmon. 6. Tyrosinase Inhibitors." - Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald, Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It (Get the book.)

"The red group includes tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon, all of which contain lycopene. lycopene is more available from cooked tomato products and juices than from whole raw tomatoes, and these products are the primary sources of lycopene in our diet. So you would add red as a pasta sauce, tomato soup, tomato juice, and ketchup. As a practical matter, over 80 percent of the lycopene in the American diet comes from these tomato products. The red/purple group includes grapes, red wine, grape juice, prunes, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and red apples." - David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., What Color is Your Diet? (Get the book.)

"And vitamin E works within cells with lycopene, beta-carotene, and CoQIO, antioxidants that target different free radicals. Nature expects us to take in hundreds of nutrients each day to support the body's constant health protection and healing operations. And that's where nutritional supplements can make a big contribution, above and beyond eating a variety of wholesome foods. Some of the individual supplements we recommend may be part of a multiple nutrient formulation. Others are needed in larger individual quantities than what may be contained in the multiple." - Stephen Sinatra, M.D. and James C., M.D. Roberts, Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late (Get the book.)

"Three high-powered antioxidants also thought to have synergy together (beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C) þGreat amounts of lycopene (thought to have the highest antioxidant activity of all the carotenoids), which has synergy with vitamin E and other food components þRich amounts of potassium, a mineral we need more of and that has synergy with other nutrients and food components 10." - Elaine Magee, Food Synergy: Unleash Hundreds of Powerful Healing Food Combinations to Fight Disease and Live Well (Get the book.)

"The carotenoid lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that is stronger than beta-carotene. The human body does not produce lycopene, so it must be obtained from dietary sources. Look for foods that have red pigment when you're thinking about this nutrient—e.g., tomatoes, a great source, as well as watermelon, beets, guava, and even pink grapefruit. Recent studies cite lycopene for maintaining heart health, and for cancer prevention. lycopene exhibits anticancer properties in animal studies, in vitro, and in human beings." - Gary Null, Gary Null's Power Aging (Get the book.)

"On the other hand, lycopene is more available from eggs than from supplements, and cooking tomatoes increases its availability. The usability of vitamins in food varies with the method of preparation. "Far too little is known about nutrient availability as a function of plant variety and maturity." The old canard—more research is needed—is surely true here. What are we to make of all this? It seems apparent that vitamin E is not effective in the secondary prevention of heart disease or cancer, or in the primary prevention of cancer." - Gerald E. Markle and Frances B. McCrea, What If Medicine Disappeared? (Get the book.)

"Some carotenoids that cannot be converted into retinal are lycopene (from tomatoes) and lutein. All carotenoids have antioxidant activity. Vitamin A and Night Vision Vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eye for vision. The retina is located at the back of the eye. Light passes through the lens of the eye and hits the retina. The retina converts the light into nerve impulses for interpretation by the brain. Retinol is transported by the bloodstream to the retina. In the retina, the retinol is used by the epithelial cells on the inside surface of the retina." - Dr. Steve Blake, Vitamins and Minerals Demystified (Get the book.)

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