Could a “Tomato Pill” Lower Cholesterol Better Than a Statin?

A UK company, owned by Nestlé, has announced the launch of a supplement that contains large mounts of the compound lycopene, which is normally found in tomatoes and other fruits. It’s called Ateronon, and the company is Cambridge Theranostics.

Lycopene has been shown to help inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is responsible for atherosclerosis plaque formation in arteries. The hope is that Ateronon, taken once a day, will become a useful treatment of high blood cholesterol and limit the development of atherosclerosis. What’s special about the Tomato Pill is way in which lycopene has been made far more ‘bioavailable’, i.e. it can be readily absorbed through the intestinal wall without being broken down.

Lycopene is a red carotenoid antioxidant found chiefly in tomatoes, but also in other fruits, such as water-melon, pink grapefruit, and red chilies. Having a more potent source of the compound would avoid the need to eat large quantities of these fruits to get the equivalent antioxidant effect.

As with many discoveries, there’s need for some caution. A new supplement is allowed to go on sale in the USA without the hurdle of proving effectiveness and safety to the FDA’s satisfaction. The ill-effects of large doses of some natural compounds have resulted in severe side effects, only discovered years after their introduction. If you want to increase your serum lycopene level by food rather than a pill, there are possibilities: eat cooked tomatoes (i.e. sauce, paste, soup); eat fresh tomatoes together with olive oil, salad vegetables, or fruits; and make a salad dressing of tomatoes, olive oil and lemon juice.