More Related Content More from Shibu Thankachan (6) Lycopene - β : The Master Supplement 093703229992. LYCOPENE b TM
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LYCOPENE
Lycopene is a red plant pigment found in tomatoes, apricots, watermelons, guavas,
papaya grape fruits and rosehips, with tomatoes being the largest contributor to
the dietary intake of humans (Chalabi et al, 2004) until Vietnam opened up and Gac
(Momordica cochinchinensis) was made available to the world.
Molecular Structure of Lycopene
Chemically it is a 40-carbon acyclic carotenoid which contains 11 conjugated
double bonds and belongs to a subgroup of carotenes consisting only of hydrogen
and carbon atoms (Stahl & Sies, 1996). It is the most potent singlet oxygen
quencher among the natural carotenoids.
Dietary Sources
Lycopene content in fruits and vegetables
(Ishida et al, 2004; Rao & Rao, 2007; www.wikipedia.org)
Source Lycopene Content
(µg/g wet weight)
Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) 2,000 - 2,300
Fresh tomato 8.8 - 42
Pink Grape fruit 3.6 - 34
Pink Guava 54
Papaya 20 – 53
Water melon 23 - 72
Momordica cochinchinensis (Gac)
Momordica cochinchinensis is commonly known as Gac in Vietanam. Other
common names include baby jack fruit, spiny bittergourd, sweet gourd and
cochinchin gourd. It has an exterior skin covered by small spines while its dark red
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3. LYCOPENE b TM
The Master Supplement #1
interior consists of fleshy pulp and seeds. Traditionally, Gac has been used as both
food and medicine. Due to its nutritional value, intake of this fruit may greatly
enhance the nutritive value of the diet.
Nutritional content of Gac
Gac is becoming known as a premier source of carotenoids, especially
â-carotene and Lycopene. Carotenoids were first identified in Gac in 1941
(Guichard & Bui, 1941). It was recently found that Gac has â-carotene and lycopene
at very high levels, with those of lycopene being high in the seed membrane.
The fresh pulp from Gac contains very high quantities of lycopene and also
comprises high levels of fatty acids ranging from 17% to 22% by weight (Ishida et al,
2004).
Oil extracted from the Gac fruit showed a total carotenoid concentration of 5700
µg/mL, with 2710 µg of that being â-carotene. This oil also contains high levels of
vitamin E. The fatty acids in the pulp are important for the absorption of fat soluble
nutrients including carotenoids in a diet typically low in fat (Kuhnlein, 2004). Thus
Gac provides an acceptable source of high levels of valuable antioxidants that have
good bioavailability.
Potential health benefits of Lycopene:
1. Anticancer Potential
Esophageal Cancer: As early as 1979, researchers in Iran reported that
weekly tomato consumption (Lycopene) was associated with a 40%
reduction in risk (Giovannucci, 1999).
Gastric Cancer: Twelve case-control studies from a variety of populations,
including the United States, Japan, Israel, Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium and
Sweden have reported that regions high in plasma lycopene had the lowest
gastric cancer rates (Giovannucci, 1999).
Pancreatic Cancer: Case control study shows that lycopene was associated
with a 31% risk reduction of pancreatic cancer in men (Nkondjock et al,
2005).
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Colorectal Cancer: Case control studies in Italy and China reported about
60% reduction in risk of both colon and rectal cancers associated with higher
lycopene consumption (Hu JF et al, 1991; Franceschi et al, 1994).
Prostate Cancer: Frequent lycopene intake is associated with a reduced risk
of prostate cancer (Giovannucci et al, 2002). High intake of tomato products,
which accounted for 82% of lycopene, reduced risk of total prostate cancer
by 35% and aggressive prostate cancer by 53% (Giovannucci, 1999).
A double blind study of 26 men with 15 mg/day of lycopene for three weeks
showed a significant decrease in prostate cancer growth compared to
placebo (Kucuk et al, 2001).
The tumors of those from the lycopene group were mostly smaller in volume
than those from the placebo group, suggesting that the tumors in patients
who eat lycopene showed signs of regression and decreased malignancy
(Kucuk et al, 2002).
The outcome of epidemiological studies suggests a potential
role for lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer.
2. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH):
Lycopene at a dose of 15mg/day for 6 month, inhibits disease progression in
patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (Schwarz et al, 2008).
3. Cardiovascular Support:
The findings from epidemiological studies support the claim that higher blood
or tissue levels of lycopene or higher intake of lycopene from dietary sources are
beneficial in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (Arab
& Steck, 2000).
In a Multi center study (662 subjects recruited from 10 European nations), it is
reported that lycopene may contribute to the protective effect on the
myocardial infarction risk (Kohlmeier et al, 1997).
It is also reported that at high doses of lycopene (60 mg/ day) have shown LDL-
cholesterol lowering properties (Fuhrman B et al, 1997).
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5. LYCOPENE b TM
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4. Antioxidant:
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that provides protection against cellular
damage caused by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and, therefore, may play an
important role in disease prevention (Barbara et al, 2009).
In an 8 week human intervention trial with healthy subjects it has been
demonstrated that supplementation of 12 mg lycopene/day or a mixture of
lycopene with â-carotene and lutein (4 mg/day each) can significantly decrease
oxidative DNA damage of human lymphocytes (Zhao et al, 2006).
5. Osteoporosis:
Reported studies shows that lycopene, inhibited osteoclastic mineral
resorption and formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive
multinucleated osteoclasts, as well as the ROS produced by osteoclasts.
It is also reported that higher lycopene intake and higher serum lycopene is
associated with lower bone resorption (Rao et al, 2003).
Lycopene helps in treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
6. Male infertility:
In a clinical study 30 patients were administered 2000 mcg of Lycopene, twice a
day for three months and a statistically significant improvement was observed
in the concentration (66%), motility (53%) and morphology (46%) of the sperm
(Gupta & Kumar, 2002).
Oral Lycopene therapy have a role in the
management of idiopathic male infertility.
7. Skin Health:
In a clinical study of 20 healthy females, who ingested 16 mg lycopene daily for
12 weeks, provides protection against acute and potentially longer term (aging)
photodamage of the skin (Rhodes et al, 2011).
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20%
Percentage of Improvement
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
-30%
-40%
-50%
-60%
Density Thickness Scaling Roughness
Treatment 7% 14% -60% -33%
Placebo 0.30% -1.40% -30% -16%
Effect of Lycopene supplementation on Skin Smoothness, Density & Thickness
-carotene
b
ß-carotene is a strongly colored red-orange pigment found in plants and foods like
carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin.
Potential health benefits of ß-carotene:
Recent study published by researchers at Harvard University associated optimism
with greater carotenoid concentration in the body. This optimism may be linked
with reduced disease risk, as a result of higher serum antioxidants. Beta carotene is
one of the major carotenoid (Boehm et al, 2013).
1. Cardiovascular Support:
Results from 45 days study, suggest that ß-carotene possesses antioxidant
properties, protecting LDL and other lipoproteins from free radical damage
(International Conference of Dietary Medicine held April 5-6, 2000 in Haifa, Israel).
2. Antioxidant:
ß-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, and epidemiological studies have shown
an inverse relationship between carotenoid intake and oxidative stress related
diseases (Paiva & Russell, 1999).
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7. LYCOPENE b TM
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3. Immune Support:
Some clinical trials have found that ß-carotene supplementation improves
several biomarkers of immune function (Santos et al, 1998).
Studies show that long term ß-carotene supplementation enhances natural
killer (NK) cell activity in elderly men (Santos et al, 1996).
4. Anticancer Potential:
Studies shows that intake of dietary carotene significantly reduced the risk of
lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer and stomach
cancer (Flagg et al, 1995; Vena et al, 1992; Zhang et al, 1997; Rock et al, 1996).
5. Osteoarthritis:
A high dietary intake of ß-carotene is associated with a significantly slower
progression of osteoarthritis (McAlindon et al, 1996).
6. Memory Support:
A Randomized Trial shows that long term supplement of ß-carotene may
provide cognitive benefits (Grodstein et al, 2007).
7. Skin Health:
ß-carotene can be used as an oral sun protectant in combination with
sunscreens for the prevention of sunburn and has been shown to be effective
both alone and in combination with other carotenoids or antioxidant vitamins
(Stahl et al, 2005).
Composition of Lycopene â™:
Ingredient Composition
Lycopene 15mg
â-carotene 15mg
BioPerine® 2.5mg
Dosage:
1 Capsule per day
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8. LYCOPENE b TM
The Master Supplement #1
References:
• Arab L. and Steck S. (2000). Lycopene and cardiovascular disease. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 71(6
Suppl): 1691S-5S: discussion 1696S-7S.
• Barbara et al, (2009). Biologically Active Lycopene in Human Health. IntJNM. 4(1): 23- 27.
• Boehm JK. et al, (2013). Association between optimism and serum antioxidants in the midlife
in the United States study. Psychosom. Med. 75, 2-10.
• Chalabi N. et al, (2004). The effects of lycopene on the proliferation of human breast cells and
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene expression. Eur. J. Cancer. 40(11) : 1768-1775.
• Flagg W. et al, (1995). Epidemiologic studies of antioxidants and cancer in humans. J. Am. Coll.
Nutr. 14(5): 419-427.
• Franceschi et al, (1994). Tomatoes and risk of digestive tract cancers. Int. J. Cancer. 59(2) : 181-
184.
• Fuhrman B. et al, (1997). Hypocholesterolemic effect of lycopene and beta-carotene is
related to suppression of cholesterol synthesis and augmentation of LDL receptor activity in
macrophages. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 233(3): 658-662.
• Giovannucci E. (1999). Tomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene, and cancer: review of
the epidemiologic literature. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 91(4): 317-331.
• Giovannucci E. et al, (2002). A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene and prostate
cancer risk J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 94(5): 391-398.
• Grodstein F. et al, (2007). A randomized trial of Beta Carotene supplementation and cognitive
function in men. The Physicians' Health Study II. Arch. Intern. Med. 167(20): 2184-2190.
• Guichard F. and Bui DS. (1941). La matiere colorante dufruit du Momordica cochinchinensis
Spr. Annales de l’ecole Superieure de Medecine et de Pharmacie de l’Indochine V, 41-42.
• Gupta and Kumar (2002). Lycopene therapy in idiopathic male infertility--a preliminary
report. Int. Urol. Nephrol. 34(3): 369-372.
• Hu JF. et al. (1991). Diet and cancer of the colon and rectum: a case-control study in China. Int.
J. Epidemiol. 20(2); 362-367.
• Ishida BK. et al, (2004). Fatty acid and carotenoid composition of gac (Momordica
cochinchinensis Spreng) fruit. J. Agric. Food Chem. 52 (2): 274-279.
• Kucuk O. et al, (2001). Phase II randomized clinical trial of lycopene supplementation before
radical prostatectomy. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 10(8): 861-868.
• Kucuk O. et al, (2002). Effects of lycopene supplementation in patients with localized prostate
cancer. Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood); 227(10): 881-885.
• Kohlmeier et al. (1997). Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk in the EURAMIC study. Am. J.
Epidemiol. 146(8): 618-626.
• Kuhnlein HV. (2004). Karat, pulque and Gac: three shining stars in the traditional food galaxy.
Nutr. Rev. 62(11): 439 - 442.
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9. LYCOPENE b TM
The Master Supplement #1
• McAlindon TE. et al, (1996). Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development
and progression of knee osteoarthritis? Arthritis Rheum. 39(4): 648-656.
• Nkondjock A. et al, (2005). Dietary intake of lycopene is associated with reduced pancreatic
cancer risk. J. Nutr. 135(3): 592-597.
• Paiva SA. and Russell RM. (1999). Beta-carotene and other carotenoids as antioxidants. J. Am.
Coll. Nutr. 18(5): 426-433.
• Rao AV. and Rao LG. (2007). Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol. Res. 55(3):207-216.
• Rao LG. et al, (2003). Lycopene I--effect on osteoclasts: lycopene inhibits basal and
parathyroid hormone-stimulated osteoclast formation and mineral resorption mediated by
reactive oxygen species in rat bone marrow cultures. J. Med. Food. 6(2): 69-78.
• Rhodes LE. et al, (2011). Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous
photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial. Br. J. Dermatol. 164(1): 154-
162.
• Rock CL. et al, (1996). Carotenoids, vitamin A, and estrogen receptor status in breast cancer.
Nutr. Cancer. 25(3): 281-296.
• Santos MS. et al, (1996). Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-
carotene supplementation. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 64(5): 772-777.
• Santos MS. et al, (1998). Beta-carotene-induced enhancement of natural killer cell activity in
elderly men: an investigation of the role of cytokines. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 68(1): 164-170.
• Schwarz S. et al, (2008). Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign
prostate hyperplasia. J. Nutr. 138(1): 49-53.
• Stahl W. and Sies H. (1996). Lycopene: a biologically important carotenoid for humans? Arch.
Biochem. Biophys. 336(1): 1-9.
• Stahl W. and Sies H. (2005). Bioactivity and protective effects of natural carotenoids. Biochim.
Biophys. Acta. 1740(2): 101-107.
• Vena JE. et al, (1992). Diet in the epidemiology of bladder cancer in western New York. Nutr.
Cancer. 18(3): 255-264.
• Zhao X. et al, (2006). Modification of lymphocyte DNA damage by carotenoid
supplementation in postmenopausal women. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 83(1): 163-169.
• Zhang S. et al, (1997). Measurement of retinoids and carotenoids in breast adipose tissue and
a comparison of concentrations in breast cancer cases and control subjects. Am. J. Clin. Nutr.
66(3): 626-632.
• www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycopene
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