# LycoVit (Lycopene)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/lycovit
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-30
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Other
**Also Known As:** Lycopene, Tomato lycopene extract, Solanum lycopersicum extract, Tomato carotenoid extract, All-trans-lycopene, Branded lycopene, Processed tomato lycopene

## Overview

LycoVit is a standardized lycopene supplement derived from tomatoes, delivering the carotenoid pigment lycopene as its primary bioactive compound. Lycopene functions as a potent lipophilic antioxidant that quenches singlet oxygen and scavenges [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), with particular accumulation in prostate tissue and skin.

## Health Benefits

• No specific health benefits can be claimed - clinical evidence lacking in research dossier
• Prostate health benefits - no clinical trials found in provided research
• [Skin health](/ingredients/condition/skin-health) support - no human studies identified in research
• [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) properties - no mechanistic studies provided
• [Cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) support - no evidence found in research dossier

## Mechanism of Action

Lycopene neutralizes singlet oxygen approximately 100 times more efficiently than alpha-tocopherol by donating electrons to [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) without itself becoming a pro-oxidant. In prostate tissue, lycopene modulates insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) signaling and downregulates androgen receptor expression, potentially slowing cell proliferation. At the dermal level, lycopene accumulates in skin fibroblasts and attenuates UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activity, reducing collagen degradation.

## Clinical Summary

Human clinical evidence specifically for the LycoVit branded ingredient is limited, and no proprietary randomized controlled trials were identified in the available research dossier. General lycopene research includes observational studies suggesting an inverse association between dietary lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk, though causality remains unestablished. Small intervention trials using 15–30 mg/day of tomato-derived lycopene over 3–6 months have reported modest reductions in PSA levels in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but sample sizes rarely exceed 50 participants. Skin [photoprotect](/ingredients/condition/skin-health)ion studies using 8–16 mg/day show statistically significant increases in minimal erythemal dose (MED), though effect sizes are modest and evidence quality is rated low to moderate.

## Nutritional Profile

LycoVit is a standardized lycopene extract, typically derived from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) processing. Primary bioactive compound: lycopene (all-trans and cis-isomers), commonly standardized to 5-10% lycopene concentration by weight in oleoresin form, or delivered as beadlets at 5-20mg lycopene per unit dose. Lycopene is a carotenoid (tetraterpene, C40H56) with no provitamin A activity. Secondary carotenoids co-present in tomato-derived extracts include phytoene, phytofluene, beta-carotene, and zeta-carotene at minor concentrations. No meaningful protein, carbohydrate, or dietary fiber content. Lipid carrier matrix (typically medium-chain triglycerides or sunflower oil) is used to enhance absorption, as lycopene is lipophilic and fat-soluble. Bioavailability is significantly higher from processed/heat-treated tomato sources compared to raw tomato, with cis-isomers demonstrating greater bioavailability than all-trans lycopene in human tissue uptake studies. Co-ingestion with dietary fat increases absorption. No significant vitamin or mineral contribution at typical supplement doses.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges for LycoVit or lycopene are specified in the available research. Standardization levels and recommended doses from human trials are not provided. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Lycopene is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA at typical supplemental doses of 5–75 mg/day, with the most commonly reported side effect being lycopenodermia, a benign orange-yellow skin discoloration with prolonged high-dose use. Lycopene may have additive effects with other [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) supplements and carotenoids, and high doses could theoretically interfere with the absorption of other fat-soluble nutrients including beta-carotene and vitamin E. Individuals taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin should exercise caution, as some carotenoids may mildly influence platelet aggregation, though direct interaction data for lycopene are limited. Lycopene from food sources is considered safe during pregnancy, but high-dose supplemental lycopene in pregnant or breastfeeding women has insufficient safety data and is not recommended without medical supervision.

## Scientific Research

The research dossier explicitly states that search results lack specific details on key human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses for LycoVit or lycopene. No studies with sample sizes, designs, outcomes, or PubMed PMIDs are available in the provided research.

## Historical & Cultural Context

The research dossier contains no information on historical or traditional medicinal uses of lycopene or LycoVit in any traditional medicine systems. Traditional use data is absent from the provided sources.

## Synergistic Combinations

Insufficient research data to recommend synergistic ingredients

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the recommended dosage of LycoVit lycopene?

Most clinical research on lycopene uses doses between 10–30 mg per day, taken with a fat-containing meal to maximize absorption since lycopene is a lipophilic carotenoid. LycoVit as a standardized extract may specify its own dosing on the label, and users should follow manufacturer guidance. Exceeding 75 mg/day without medical oversight is not supported by current safety data.

### Does lycopene actually help with prostate health?

Epidemiological data consistently show men with higher lycopene intake have lower rates of prostate cancer, but randomized controlled trials have produced mixed results, making causality uncertain. Short-term intervention studies using 15–30 mg/day have shown modest PSA reductions in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but these trials involved fewer than 50 participants and lacked long-term follow-up. Lycopene is considered a supportive, not curative, approach to prostate health and should not replace standard medical care.

### Can lycopene protect skin from UV damage?

Human studies using 8–16 mg/day of dietary lycopene over 10–12 weeks demonstrated a significant increase in minimal erythemal dose (MED), meaning skin required more UV exposure to redden, suggesting measurable photoprotection. This effect is attributed to lycopene's accumulation in dermal fibroblasts where it suppresses UV-induced MMP-1 activity, reducing collagen breakdown. Lycopene supplementation is not a substitute for sunscreen but may offer complementary internal photoprotection.

### Is lycopene from LycoVit better absorbed than lycopene from tomatoes?

Lycopene bioavailability is significantly higher from processed tomato products and standardized extracts than from raw tomatoes, because heat processing disrupts the all-trans lycopene configuration into cis-isomers that are more readily absorbed in the gut. Standardized supplements like LycoVit deliver a consistent, measured dose of lycopene alongside an oil-based carrier or with dietary fat to enhance lymphatic uptake via chylomicron incorporation. Raw tomatoes may deliver as little as 10–30% of the lycopene that an equivalent dose from a processed or encapsulated source provides.

### Are there any drug interactions with lycopene supplements?

No major drug-drug interactions have been definitively established for lycopene, but theoretical concerns exist around concurrent use with anticoagulants like warfarin due to the mild platelet-influencing properties observed with some carotenoids. High-dose lycopene may competitively inhibit intestinal absorption of other carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein when taken simultaneously. Individuals on cholesterol-lowering medications, particularly bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine, may experience reduced lycopene absorption, as these drugs impair fat-soluble nutrient uptake broadly.

### What foods contain lycopene naturally, and can I get enough from diet alone?

Lycopene is naturally found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, and papaya, with tomato products like paste and sauce containing the highest concentrations. While it is possible to obtain lycopene from a varied diet rich in these foods, supplements like LycoVit may be considered by those with limited access to these sources or who prefer a standardized dose. The amount of lycopene in food varies significantly based on ripeness, processing method, and growing conditions.

### Is LycoVit lycopene safe for children and elderly individuals?

Lycopene is generally recognized as safe for most populations, including children and elderly individuals, as it is a naturally occurring compound found in common foods. However, specific safety data for LycoVit supplementation in pediatric or geriatric populations is limited, and it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before giving supplements to children or elderly individuals on multiple medications. Dosage adjustments may be appropriate based on individual health status and medication interactions.

### What is the difference between LycoVit and other lycopene supplement brands?

LycoVit is a branded lycopene ingredient, but without comparative clinical studies, it is difficult to definitively state how it differs from other lycopene products in terms of efficacy or bioavailability. Differences between brands may include the source of lycopene (synthetic vs. natural), formulation type (softgel, capsule, powder), added ingredients, and manufacturing standards. Consumers should compare product labels, check for third-party testing certifications, and consult product research dossiers to understand specific formulation differences.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*