Taking a special form of lycopene called lycosome-lycopene (7 mg daily for 30 days) increases tissue oxygenation by 15.9% in people with coronary vascular disease. In contrast, standard lactolycopene has no effect.
See the scientific wording
Lycosome-formulated lycopene supplementation at 7 mg daily for 30 days is associated with a 15.9% increase in tissue oxygenation (StO2) in patients with coronary vascular disease, whereas lactolycopene shows no significant 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 found that the special lycopene supplement increased muscle oxygen by about 16% in heart disease patients, just like the claim says, while the regular lycopene did nothing.
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 formulation of lycopene makes it easier for the body to absorb, increasing lycopene levels in the blood. This extra lycopene acts like a shield, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals (oxidative stress) and calming inflammation. When oxidative stress and inflammation go down, blood vessels work better, allowing more oxygen to reach tissues, which increases tissue oxygenation.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting study
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Taking a special form of lycopene called lycosome-lycopene (7 mg daily for 30 days) increases tissue oxygenation by 15.9% in people with coronary vascular disease. In contrast, standard lactolycopene has no effect.
Mechanism
1 studyThe special lycopene supplement gets absorbed better, boosting lycopene in the blood. Lycopene then fights harmful free radicals and lowers inflammation, which helps blood vessels open up and deliver more oxygen to tissues, explaining the increase in tissue oxygenation.
A special formulation of lycopene makes it easier for the body to absorb, increasing lycopene levels in the blood. This extra lycopene acts like a shield, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals (oxidative stress) and calming inflammation. When oxidative stress and inflammation go down, blood vessels work better, allowing more oxygen to reach tissues, which increases tissue oxygenation.
Lycosome formulation enhances intestinal absorption of lycopene, protecting it from degradation and 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.
Decreased oxidative stress and inflammation improve endothelial function and tissue oxygenation, shown by increased flow-mediated dilation and increased tissue oxygen saturation (StO2).
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 found that the special lycopene supplement increased muscle oxygen by about 16% in heart disease patients, just like the claim says, while the regular lycopene did nothing.
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 Formulations on Tissue Oxygenation in Cardiovascular Disease
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing lycosome-formulated lycopene, lactolycopene, and placebo in patients with coronary vascular disease, measuring tissue oxygenation (StO2) after 30 days of supplementation
Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Comparing Lycosome-Formulated Lycopene vs Lactolycopene vs Placebo on Tissue Oxygenation in Patients with Coronary Vascular Disease
Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT with three arms: lycosome-lycopene (7 mg/day), lactolycopene (7 mg/day), and placebo for 30 days. Primary outcome: change in tissue oxygenation (StO2) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Population: adults with diagnosed coronary vascular disease. Randomization 1:1:1, with at least 30 participants per arm.
Prospective Cohort Study Examining the Effect of Different Lycopene Formulations on Tissue Oxygenation in Coronary Vascular Disease
Prospective cohort study following coronary vascular disease patients who self-select lycosome-lycopene, lactolycopene, or no supplementation for at least 30 days, with periodic measurement of StO2. Control for confounding factors (diet, medications, severity of disease).
Case-Control Study: Tissue Oxygenation in Coronary Vascular Disease Patients with High vs Low Lycopene Intake
Select cases (CVD patients with StO2 above a threshold) and controls (CVD patients with StO2 below threshold). Assess lycopene formulation intake history via questionnaire or records. Compare odds of high StO2 associated with lycosome-lycopene use.
Cross-Sectional Analysis of Lycopene Formulation Intake and Tissue Oxygenation in Coronary Vascular Disease Patients
Single-time measurement of StO2 in a cohort of CVD patients, with concurrent assessment of lycopene formulation intake (via dietary recall or supplement log). Compare mean StO2 between users of lycosome-lycopene, lactolycopene, and non-users.