Can lycopene in tomatoes increase collagen levels?

Dr. Irwin
November 22, 2014
Hello Dr Irwin, absolutely love your site! I have been reading a lot recently about tomato products containing lycopene such as tomato paste, sauce etc and how a tablespoon per day can help increase collagen levels - how true is this?

Sadly, not very particularly true.   But……..it’s good for you for so many other reasons, we’d all be healthier if we could eat fresh, organic tomatoes or their products daily.   I wish I could!

Vitamin C is used as an an enzyme cofacter in collagen production so keeping your Vitamin C levels good may help.   Don’t go crazy here please though.  An extra 250mg to 500 mg a day is plenty.  More on skin and nutrition.

The main things you can do it NOT degrade the collagen with too much sun and bad health habits.

I’m so glad you love the site!   🙂 Dr. I

 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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