New Evidence of Sun Protection and Improvements in Skin Health with Tomato Lycopene Complex
27 February 2007 10:37
Dr. Yossi Levy, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel, represented LycoRed at the Cosmeceutical Summit on February the 22nd, 2007, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Levy presented new findings from two studies that show that oral consumption of carotenoids from tomato (lycopene, phytoene and phytofluene), helps maintain healthy skin by protecting it against UV-induced damage.
"Topical application of the currently available sun-care products provides limited protection against UV light, because no matter how good the products are, some of the light still penetrates deep into the skin, causing damage and wrinkling." stated Dr. Levy. "In order to provide optimal protection it is important not only to apply sun-care products containing UVB and UVA filters, but also to supplement the diet with natural antioxidants; particularly, the tomato lycopene complex Lyc-O-Mato®."
Emphasising the importance of daily supplementation, Dr. Levy explained: "Recent data shows that it only takes brief, repetitive sun exposure from daily tasks, such as walking to the car or mailbox, to initiate skin damage."
The first study discussed by Dr. Levy was conducted by O. Aust, W. Stahl and H. Sies at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany. It examined the photo-protective effects of both natural Lyc-O-Mato and synthetic lycopene. Both caused a decrease in the reddening of the skin of the participants indicating protection from UV-induced damage. However the group that ingested synthetic lycopene showed only a 25% reduction in redness, whereas the Lyc-O-Mato afforded superior protection with a 38% reduction.
The second study, conducted by U. Heinrich, H. Tronnier and W. Stahl at the universities of Witten / Herdecke and Düsseldorf, in Germany, involved three groups of participants. Two different antioxidant supplements containing carotenoids and selenium were tested for their impact on skin structure and health.
Groups one and two received different levels of a mixture of lycopene, lutein, beta carotene, alpha tocopherol and selenium. Group three, the control group, received a placebo. After 12 weeks, participants in groups one and two both showed a significant increase in skin density and thickness, improvement in skin smoothness and softness and reduced scaling. There was no improvement in the placebo group.
LycoRed's Lyc-O-Mato tomato lycopene complex is an all-natural extract of red ripe tomatoes containing lycopene and a unique complex of tocopherols, beta-carotene and the colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene. By increasing the levels of antioxidants in the skin, Lyc-O-Mato enhances the body's natural defences against UV-induced skin damage, supporting healthy skin-structure and helping to prevent pre-mature aging of the skin.
For more information on this company:
Lycored - Lycopene and Carotenoid Formulation for Food Fortification
Copyright 2007 SPG Media Limited a subsidiary of SPG Media Group PLC
