Lower Cholesterol with Tomatoes

Cooked tomatoes and tomato products could possibly be more effective than medication in the fight against high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Doctors used to say, “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” That was the cure all for patients. Now the pharmaceutical companies have a pill for every occasion and ailment.

Researchers in Australia have found that two ounces of tomato paste or tomato juice contains 15 grams of the natural chemical lycopene. If people with high cholesterol or high blood pressure consume 50 grams of lycopene it could help lower bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure without the dangerous side effects of cholesterol medications.

Dr. Karin Ried from the University of Adelaide and one of the authors of the paper that appeared in the journal Mauritas recommends tomato paste. She says that half a liter of tomato juice or 50 grams of tomato paste daily would provide protection against heart disease.

Researchers conducted a meta analysis, meaning they analyzed existing studies, looking at the effects of lycopene on cholesterol and high blood pressure. The scientists analyzed 14 international studies conducted over 55 years.

They found that in small doses, lycopene has little or no effect on reducing cholesterol or blood pressure. But once the amount of lycopene is increased to above 25 grams per day, the authors started to see slight reductions in both cholesterol and blood pressure. They started to see increased benefit with higher amounts of lycopene.

Not everyone is viewing the tomato as the new wonder drug. the website Todays Vital Health says there have been no direct studies comparing the effectiveness of statins and tomato products in fighting high cholesterol or blood pressure.

Dr. Ried says that lycopene in excess of 25 grams a day can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure by ten percent, eliminating the need for many to take medication, like statins.

“That’s comparable to the effect of low doses of medication commonly prescribed but without side-effects, which can include muscle pain and weakness and nerve damage.” — Dr. Karen Ried, University of Adelaide, Australia

So just consume 6-8 ounces of tomato products a day and you’ll keep the need for statins away.