A Cancer-fighting Tomato Extract
• Antioxidant
• Supports a healthy prostate
• Helps prevent atherosclerosis
• Enhances the immune system

Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment that is responsible for the red color of tomatoes. It is also thought to be responsible for many of the vegetable’s healthy properties. Lycopene is the major carotenoid in human plasma, and the most potent antioxidant of all the carotenoids. It helps fight atherosclerosis, or arterial hardening, it enhances the function of the immune system and it helps eyes to maintain their normal function.

Lycopene’s most exciting effects on health involve its cancer¬fighting properties. Studies have found that high intakes of lycopene are linked to lower risks of various types of cancer, such as lung, stomach, pancreas, colon, esophagus, breast, cervix, and especially prostate cancers. Lycopene supports the normal growth and differentiation of prostate cells, preventing them from turning into cancer cells. In clinical trials, lycopene has been found to shrink tumors in men with prostate cancer.

Lycopene is an important carotenoid for optimal health, and may be especially beneficial for those who have, or are at risk for, prostate cancer. AOR’s Lycopene Ultra provides lycopene along with other tomato carotenoids for a superior effect.

Since a report on the relationship between pizza and prostate cancer risk reduction was publicized, lycopene has received more recognition than ever. It is believed that lycopene in pizza sauce was the key nutrient that contributed to decreased prostate cancer risk among pizza lovers in the study.

Lycopene is the major carotenoid in human plasma, double the levels of beta-carotene. It exists in serum and tissues and it is predominant in the testes.

(1) Antioxidant: Compared with beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and other carotenoids that have been studied so far, lycopene is the most potent antioxidant in quenching free radicals. In studying skin exposure to UV light, scientists have found that lycopene was preferred over beta-carotene in protecting skin tissue from oxidative damage in human subjects. Lycopenes have the greatest ability to quench damaging oxygen byproducts, and their ability to quench NOO radical (commonly found in tobacco smoke) was threefold more than beta-carotene. In addition, lycopenes react directly with peroxyl radicals that are involved in lipid peroxidation, a key step in arterial hardening.

(2) Anti-Atherosclerosis: Data continue to accumulate to support the hypothesis that oxidative modification of LDL (bad cholesterol) is the key step in the genesis of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that low levels of plasma carotenoids are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Intake of carotenoids was shown to protect against coronary heart disease. It is hypothesized that prevention of LDL oxidation is responsible in part for lycopene's anti-atherosclerosis properties. Carotenoids may also help to block cholesterol synthesis.

(3) Anti-Carcinogenesis: There is extensive evidence for a protective effect of lycopene and tomato products against cancer. Strong and consistent links have been found between higher lycopene intake and lower risk of various forms of cancer, especially prostate, lung, and stomach cancers, but also suggestively in cancers of the pancreas, colon/rectum, esophagus, oral cavity, breast, and cervix. In vitro studies have found that lycopene inhibits the growth of cancerous cells. Most excitingly, a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study in men with existing prostate cancer about to undergo surgery reported that those receiving a lycopene supplement displayed tumor shrinkage, lower PSA, and signs that their tumors were differentiating.

4) Other effects: Lycopene has also been found to maintain normal eye-function, helping to prevent age¬related macular degeneration and other deteriorations of eye function.

Maximum benefits:
Surprisingly, fresh tomatoes are not the best source of lycopene. In fact, it has been found that cooking and processing tomatoes actually increases the bioavailability of lycopene. It is for this reason that tomato sauces have been linked to lycopene’s beneficial effects. Furthermore, studies have shown that is not lycopene alone that is responsible for the health effects associated with tomatoes. For example, one study on prostate tumors in rats found that supplementation with whole tomato extract prolonged survival while pure lycopene did not. The presence of other carotenoids, like beta-carotene, also seems to increase the bioavailability of lycopene. A complete tomato lycopene complex should include other carotenoids – beta-carotene, phytoene and phyofluene as well as phytosterols and vitamin E. Lycopene Ultra contains a standardized tomato extract, delivering lycopene along with other tomato carotenoids and phyochemicals for superior results.