A daily 7 mg dose of lycosome-formulated lycopene taken for 30 days increases flow-mediated dilation by 10.7% in people with coronary vascular disease, improving endothelial function. Lactolycopene does not produce this effect.
See the scientific wording
Supplementation with lycosome-formulated lycopene (7 mg daily for 30 days) is associated with a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) by 10.7% (median increase of 1.1 points) in patients with coronary vascular disease, indicating improved endothelial function, whereas lactolycopene has no effect.
Very strong evidence
Randomized trialsOne moderate-quality study supports this claim, so treat this as an early signal rather than settled science.
What the research says
1 study reviewedSupporting (1)
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman2018
The study gave patients with heart disease a special lycopene supplement for a month and found that their blood vessel function improved by about 10%, while another form of lycopene did nothing, just like the claim says.
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting studies found yet
That doesn't mean it's settled — it just means no study has tested the opposite.
Quality-weighted scoring: we follow the GRADE framework — each study is rated High, Moderate, Low, or Very Low based on study design, methodology rigor, and risk of bias. A single high-quality RCT can outweigh several weaker observational studies.
Scores reflect study quality, not just count.
A special form of lycopene called lycosome-formulated lycopene gets absorbed into the blood much better than regular lycopene. Once in the blood, lycopene neutralizes harmful free radicals and reduces inflammation, which protects the inner lining of blood vessels. This protection allows blood vessels to widen more easily, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting study
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A daily 7 mg dose of lycosome-formulated lycopene taken for 30 days increases flow-mediated dilation by 10.7% in people with coronary vascular disease, improving endothelial function. Lactolycopene does not produce this effect.
Mechanism
1 studyA special form of lycopene gets into the blood better than regular lycopene. Once in the blood, it fights harmful molecules and reduces inflammation, helping blood vessels work better. This explains why the special lycopene improved blood vessel function, while regular lycopene did not.
A special form of lycopene called lycosome-formulated lycopene gets absorbed into the blood much better than regular lycopene. Once in the blood, lycopene neutralizes harmful free radicals and reduces inflammation, which protects the inner lining of blood vessels. This protection allows blood vessels to widen more easily, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Lycosome formulation enhances intestinal absorption of lycopene, leading to a significant increase in serum lycopene levels.
Increased circulating lycopene scavenges free radicals, reducing oxidative damage to lipids and other biomolecules, as evidenced by decreased oxidized LDL and inflammatory oxidative damage.
Reduced oxidative stress attenuates inflammatory responses, reflected by decreased levels of Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG, a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Reduced oxidative stress and inflammation improve endothelial function, leading to increased flow-mediated dilation and tissue oxygenation.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Effect of lycopene supplementation on cardiovascular parameters and markers of inflammation and oxidation in patients with coronary vascular disease
The study gave patients with heart disease a special lycopene supplement for a month and found that their blood vessel function improved by about 10%, while another form of lycopene did nothing, just like the claim says.
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Score Breakdown
No multi-axis breakdown available yet. The overall Pro / Against score above is the best signal.
- No clinical evidence is available; the score reflects mechanistic plausibility only.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Lycopene Supplementation and Endothelial Function in Coronary Artery Disease
Comprehensive search of databases for RCTs comparing lycopene (any formulation) to placebo or no treatment in patients with coronary vascular disease, measuring FMD as primary outcome, with meta-analysis of pooled data.
Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Lycosome-Formulated Lycopene vs Placebo on Flow-Mediated Dilation in Patients with Coronary Vascular Disease
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with coronary vascular disease, with 7 mg daily lycosome-formulated lycopene or placebo for 30 days, measuring FMD at baseline and end of intervention.
Prospective Cohort Study of Lycopene Intake and Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Vascular Disease
Prospective cohort of patients with coronary vascular disease, with dietary assessments and FMD measurements at regular intervals over several years, controlling for lifestyle and medication confounders.
Animal Model Study of Lycosome-Formulated Lycopene on Endothelial Function in Atherosclerotic Mice
Randomized controlled experiment in atherosclerotic mice, with lycosome-formulated lycopene or vehicle control, measuring endothelial-dependent vasodilation ex vivo and biomarkers of nitric oxide bioavailability.