Lyc-O-Mato, a photo-protective dietary supplement.

David Djerassi, president, Intrachem Technologies; representing LycoRed Corp., Orange, NJ.

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN for many years that solar radiation induces photodamage to skin. Most of the damaging effects, such as sunburn, pigmentation, photoaging, solar keratosis, skin cancer (carcinoma and melanoma) and immuno-suppression have been attributed to UV radiation (290-400 nm).

Topical application of sunscreen products containing UVB and UVA filters provides incomplete protection, because no sunscreen can prevent penetration of all UV light. A small, but significant amount of residual UV light penetrates deep into the skin, causing the formation of UV-induced free radicals. These Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been associated with aging, cancer and other age related problems. Addition of antioxidant vitamins C and E, to topical sun care and skin care products can enhance their activity somewhat, but the protection is still incomplete.

Added Photo-Protection

In recent years a number of leading cosmetic companies have added oral beauty supplements to their product lines. These are nutritional supplements, containing carotenoids, minerals and vitamins, are intended to provide "protection and beauty from within." Studies have shown that carotenoids, when given as dietary supplements, are very effective photoprotectants against UV light induced erythema. Such activity is due to their ability to quench ROS. In particular, the tomato lycopene complex, Lyc-O-Mato, an all natural extract of red, ripe tomatoes, is quite effective because it contains 6% lycopene and a unique combination of tocopherols, beta-carotene and the colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene.

UV Protection Study

In a study conducted by the Institute for Biochemistry at the Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorff, Germany, the protective effects of synthetic lycopene were compared with the tomato extract, Lvc-O-Mato. (1) The two volunteer groups par ticipating in the study, ingested similar amounts of lycopene. However, the Lyc-O-Mato group ingested in addition to lycopene, 1.0 mg/day of phytoene and 0.8 mg/day of phytofluene, which were present in the complex.

The dorsal skin of each volunteer was irradiated with 1.25 MEDs at weeks 0, 4, and 12, using a solar simulator. Erythema was evaluated before the irradiation and 24 hours after irradiation. A decrease in erythema formation was observed in both groups, indicating protection from UV induced damage. However, the group ingesting synthetic lycopene showed a 25% reduction in erythema, whereas the Lyc-O-Mato group showed a 38% reduction in erythema, indicating superior protection.

Summary

Topical application of sunscreen products containing UVB and UVA filters provides limited protection, because some of the light penetrates deep into the skin. Addition of antioxidant vitamins C and E enhances the photoprotection somewhat. Recent studies with antioxidant dietary supplements and in particular, the tomato lycopene complex, Lyc-O-Mato have shown that they can minimize free radical damage, reduce erythema (sunburn), enhance the body's immune system and thus, in conjunction with sunscreens, provide optimal protection against UV induced skin damage, which can lead to premature aging. More info: 917-776-5216; LycoRed Corp. 973-882-0322.

Reference

(1.) Olivier Aust., Wilhelm Stahl, Int. J. Vit. Nutr. Res., 03/24, Oct. 2003

Lyc-O-Mato, a photo-protective dietary supplement.

David Djerassi, president, Intrachem Technologies; representing LycoRed Corp., Orange, NJ.

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN for many years that solar radiation induces photodamage to skin. Most of the damaging effects, such as sunburn, pigmentation, photoaging, solar keratosis, skin cancer (carcinoma and melanoma) and immuno-suppression have been attributed to UV radiation (290-400 nm).

Topical application of sunscreen products containing UVB and UVA filters provides incomplete protection, because no sunscreen can prevent penetration of all UV light. A small, but significant amount of residual UV light penetrates deep into the skin, causing the formation of UV-induced free radicals. These Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been associated with aging, cancer and other age related problems. Addition of antioxidant vitamins C and E, to topical sun care and skin care products can enhance their activity somewhat, but the protection is still incomplete.

Added Photo-Protection

In recent years a number of leading cosmetic companies have added oral beauty supplements to their product lines. These are nutritional supplements, containing carotenoids, minerals and vitamins, are intended to provide "protection and beauty from within." Studies have shown that carotenoids, when given as dietary supplements, are very effective photoprotectants against UV light induced erythema. Such activity is due to their ability to quench ROS. In particular, the tomato lycopene complex, Lyc-O-Mato, an all natural extract of red, ripe tomatoes, is quite effective because it contains 6% lycopene and a unique combination of tocopherols, beta-carotene and the colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene.

UV Protection Study

In a study conducted by the Institute for Biochemistry at the Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorff, Germany, the protective effects of synthetic lycopene were compared with the tomato extract, Lvc-O-Mato. (1) The two volunteer groups par ticipating in the study, ingested similar amounts of lycopene. However, the Lyc-O-Mato group ingested in addition to lycopene, 1.0 mg/day of phytoene and 0.8 mg/day of phytofluene, which were present in the complex.

The dorsal skin of each volunteer was irradiated with 1.25 MEDs at weeks 0, 4, and 12, using a solar simulator. Erythema was evaluated before the irradiation and 24 hours after irradiation. A decrease in erythema formation was observed in both groups, indicating protection from UV induced damage. However, the group ingesting synthetic lycopene showed a 25% reduction in erythema, whereas the Lyc-O-Mato group showed a 38% reduction in erythema, indicating superior protection.

Summary

Topical application of sunscreen products containing UVB and UVA filters provides limited protection, because some of the light penetrates deep into the skin. Addition of antioxidant vitamins C and E enhances the photoprotection somewhat. Recent studies with antioxidant dietary supplements and in particular, the tomato lycopene complex, Lyc-O-Mato have shown that they can minimize free radical damage, reduce erythema (sunburn), enhance the body's immune system and thus, in conjunction with sunscreens, provide optimal protection against UV induced skin damage, which can lead to premature aging. More info: 917-776-5216; LycoRed Corp. 973-882-0322.

Reference

(1.) Olivier Aust., Wilhelm Stahl, Int. J. Vit. Nutr. Res., 03/24, Oct. 2003