HOT TOPICS
SupplySide
The Shelf Life
 |
Jodi Rich is the Publisher of Natural Products Marketplace Magazine. She has been working in the natural products industry for almost seven years and has an extensive background in sales, marketing, and promotions. She graduated with a communications degree from Arizona State University, which isn't surprising because she's quite a talker. Jodi embraces a healthy lifestyle by mastering crazy yoga poses and spending all of her hard earned money on the latest and greatest products from SunFlower Market. Sarah Prahl is an account executive with Natural Products Marketplace. She has been involved in the natural products industry her entire life and is so passionate about the industry, she is also a Clinical Nutritionist. Sarah has a consumer publishing background and in a past life, sold supplements to both small health food stores and large chains. She is excited to bring both her nutrition knowledge and market experience to support growing entrepreneurs in the natural products category! When Sarah isn't selling advertising, you'll find her hiking with her dogs in beautiful Boulder, Colorado or striking a pose at the local yoga studio. |
Men, Aim for Red
Posted in
Blog,
Topics,
Antioxidants,
Cancer,
Carotenoids,
Heart Health,
Men's Health,
Prostate Cancer,
Sexual Health,
Supplements
You say tomato, I say lycopene. This vibrant red carotenoid is found in many human organs and in the prostate and colon. It can be ingested from red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelons and papayas. The main benefit is a boost to antioxidant levels in the body, which can offer all sorts of protection from free radical-related health problems, from cancer to infertility.
Men’s Fitness magazine put together a nice little guide to supplements for men, but this lycopene entry may be among the most important for men to strengthen their health protection.
The spotlight on lycopene talks about conflicting research on whether or not lycopene’s antioxidant actions demonstrated in animals translates to humans. Similarly, the discussion of cancer, specifically prostate, tells of promising epidemiological studies showing diets high in lycopene-rich tomatoes correlate to lower risk of cancer, including lung, stomach and prostate—all important to men. While different studies seem to come to a range of beneficial (lowers PSA scores) and not-so-beneficial effects from lycopene supplementation on prostate cancer, the tone is hopeful, as the article indicates most researchers are optimistic lycopene is useful to men looking to protect against this disease.
There is a small mention of lycopene’s apparent ability to lower LDL levels in people with atherosclerosis, which is certainly important to men, but with lots of LDL solutions on the market, men may be even more interested in one of special benefits of lycopene: improved male fertility. Cited is a 2000 Indian study in men with idiopathic infertility who took 2,000 mcg of lycopene twice daily. After three months of supplementation, 66 percent of the men had improved sperm concentration, 53 percent had improved sperm motility, and 46 percent had improved sperm morphology.
The guide on lycopene goes over some food sources and preparations that could maximize the benefits from this nutrient. They also advise as a non-essential nutrient, supplementation is not necessary—though I’d say some men may want the higher concentrations supplements can provide—and there are plenty of foods that can boost lycopene levels. Even better, they make note of lycopene’s great safety profile, saying only that a few people taking high doses for a long period of time experienced digestive discomforts and a slight orange-ing of the skin (no uncommon for a carotenoid). For t hose who do choose lycopene supplementation, they noted 2 to 30 milligrams for up to six months is a common dosage.
Comments
- Comments