LycoSorb

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• Naturally derived lycopene has shown remarkable results in protecting prostate, skin and heart health

• Each softgel contains the equivalent amount of lycopene found in two tomatoes

• Promotes normal cell replication and metabolism

• A completely natural, lipid-soluble delivery system for enhanced absorption

• Contains gamma-tocopherol, the “better” vitamin E

• A potent antioxidant

Clinically Proven Lyc-O-Mato® Lycopene Extracted from GMO-free Tomatoes

Lycopene is a bright red pigment related to betacarotene, but which is much more efficient as an antioxidant. The tomato is the richest common natural source and its lycopene becomes more bioavailable when the vegetable is cooked with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil. High levels of lycopene consumption and high blood levels of lycopene consistently have been associated in research studies with support for prostate health,1 and with the promotion of proper cell replication in the tissues of the digestive tract.2 Studies have indicated that lycopene offers protection against age-related macular degeneration (i.e., damage to the eyes), against sun damage to the skin, and even against a decline in our abilities to function independently as we grow older.3 The protective mechanism usually proposed is antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging. Compared with beta-carotene, lycopene is better at scavenging radicals, such as lipid peroxy radicals, and in vitro studies suggest that it is even better than vitamin E in this role. Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid found in the blood and has been associated with protection of LDL cholesterol against free radical damage, and therefore support for heart health. In addition, lycopene is ten times better at maintaining proper cell replication than is vitamin E.4

Lycopene For Maintaining Cellular Health

This tomato-derived carotenoid may support proper cell replication regulation by activating special enzymes which function to eliminate toxins. When Israeli researchers incubated breast and liver cells with lycopene, they found this stimulated the production of phase II detoxification enzymes. Phase II enzymes help the body to rid itself of toxic substances. It has been proposed that the expression of phase II enzymes is regulated by an “antioxidant response element” (ARE) and that this element is involved in helping the body maintain normal cell replication.5 In the Israeli tests, the carotenoids astaxanthin, beta-carotene and phytoene had no effect. This suggested to the researchers that activation of ARE by carotenoids is not related solely to antioxidant properties, although the other carotenoids might enhance phase II detoxification by different means.

Prostate Protection

Lycopene has been shown to be particularly effective in supporting the health of the prostate.6 The carotenoid is found in high concentrations in that gland. Aside from activating phase II detoxification enzymes, this tomato product also may influence male hormone regulation. In a study published in early 2004, lycopene was shown to interfere with local androgen activation by downregulating 5-alpha-reductase, the key enzyme for the transformation of testosterone into dehydrotestosterone, the form of the hormone that binds most actively to prostate cells. As a consequence, the expression of androgen-regulated target genes was also reduced. In addition, lycopene decreased the expression of two prostatic cytokines, IGF-I and IL-6, both of which are associated with cellular transformations. In this study, vitamin E also was found to reduce androgen signaling without affecting androgen metabolism.

Benefits to the urinary tract extend beyond the prostate alone. Recently, researchers in a survey entitled an “Association between serum concentrations of micronutrients and lower urinary tract symptoms in older men in the Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey” (Urology 2004;64:504–509) noted that lycopene was inversely associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). In this analysis, men with a higher serum concentration of lycopene had about one half the odds of LUTS compared with men with the lowest concentration. It was suggested that this reflects a role for lycopene in reducing not only DNA damage, but levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

Women’s Health

Although this carotenoid has been most researched as an adjuvant to men’s health, recent research indicates that women should take a second look at lycopene. In findings announced in April 2004, scientists from Firat University in Turkey, the University of Maryland and the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University in Detroit using an animal model looked at changes in cellular tissues associated with the female reproductive system rather than that of males. Lycopene supplementation significantly protected the regulation of cellular replication and had a positive effect on serum concentrations of vitamins C, E and A, homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Natural Lycopene: Nature Knows Best

Lyc-O-Mato® is from Israel and is the most studied lycopene product in the world. It is 100% natural from GMO-free tomatoes and has demonstrated numerous benefits not shown by synthetic sources. A 14-month study published in the November 2003 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute stressed the importance of whole tomatoes rather than lycopene alone in the protection of cellular health. In this study, rats fed a purified lycopene-rich diet and treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and testosterone to create a health challenge had a similar risk of death as rats fed a control diet. In contrast, rats fed whole tomato powder supplying the same amount of lycopene were significantly less likely to die from the challenge than either control or the purified lycopene only group. In addition to the controls and those rats receiving lycopene or tomato powder, each group was divided into two sub-groups, one of which was given 20% less food than the other sub-group. Animals on the energy-restricted, tomato-based diet fared best of all, showing a 32% drop in their risk of dying.8 The editorial accompanying the research publication pointed out that carotenoids and other secondary plant compounds evolved as sets of interacting compounds. This would help explain the superior results found in this trial using a natural source of lycopene that also supplied naturally occurring co-nutrients.

Lyc-O-Mato® tomato extract is scientifically standardized to contain 6% lycopene along with phytoene and phytofluene, which also are members of the carotenoid family. Natural tocopherol is added. Lycopene is the marker for standardization because of its importance to good health and standardization insures that consumers can expect a consistent product. The LycoRed manufacturing process also assures that all the phytonutrients naturally present in the tomato oleoresin will be preserved in Lyc-O-Mato®, and this means added health benefits. Jarrow FORMULAS® uses additional gamma-tocopherol to enhance the stability of the formulation.

Lyc-O-Mato® lycopene also is available in Jarrow FORMULAS® CarotenALL™ multi-carotenoid formula!

Usage

Take 1-2 softgels per day or as directed by your qualified health consultant.

References

Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC.
Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl
Cancer Inst. 1995 Dec 6;87(23):1767-76.
Francheschi S. et al. Tomatoes and risk of digestive-tract cancers. Int J
Cancer. 1994; 59:181-4.
Wohlmuth H. Lycopene – A short review. Botanical Pathways. 1997;
1(3):6-7.
Levy J. Lycopene research presented at the annual meeting of the American
Association for Cancer Research. (www.aacr.org). March 27-31, 2004,
Orlando, FL.
Etminan M, Takkouche B, Caamano-Isorna F. The role of tomato products
and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational
studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Mar;13(3):340-5.
U. Siler, L. Barella, V. Spitzer, J. Schnorr, M. Lein, R. Goralczyk, K. Wertz,
FASEB J (2004) doi:10.1096/fj.03-1116fje. (online edition FASEB J)
Boileau TW, Liao Z, Kim S, Lemeshow S, Erdman JW Jr, Clinton SK.
Prostate carcinogenesis in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-testosteronetreated
rats fed tomato powder, lycopene, or energy-restricted diets. J Natl
Cancer Inst. 2003 Nov 5;95(21):1578-86.

Source: Jarrow Formulas