What is Lycopene and How Does It Help Reduce Cancer Risk?

According to numerous scientific studies widely published in the United States, Lycopene holds significant potential in preventing and treating various cancers, including liver, breast, and prostate cancer.

Why Do We Need Lycopene?

The human body performs many vital functions, like digesting food and metabolizing nutrients, which produce free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules with an unpaired electron that disrupt cellular processes by stealing electrons from other molecules, leading to cellular imbalance. Excessive free radicals are detrimental to health.

To neutralize and detoxify these free radicals, the body needs antioxidants. We consume many antioxidant-rich foods daily, such as bananas, grapefruit, spinach, papaya, blueberries, tomatoes, and especially Gac. Fish, particularly fish liver, also contains antioxidants. However, even beneficial foods can produce free radicals during metabolism.

Regular antioxidant intake can improve health, boost immunity, slow aging, enhance memory, and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases like Alzheimer’s, lipid disorders, and liver damage.

Lycopene is a carotenoid, a natural organic pigment found in plants and photosynthetic organisms like algae, some fungi, and bacteria. It’s found in various red-colored fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, pink guava, and especially in Gac fruit.

Among common carotenoids, Lycopene is the most potent antioxidant, effectively capturing singlet oxygen, making it one of the most beneficial compounds for health:

• Antioxidant: Neutralizes free radicals, protecting cells.
• Liver Protection: Helps prevent and treat fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
• Immune Boost: Strengthens immunity.
• Cholesterol Reduction: Lowers cholesterol, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
• Skin and Eye Health: Improves skin appearance, strengthens hair, and enhances vision.

Sources of Lycopene

Globally, Gac is emerging as a promising source of carotenoids, including Lycopene and Beta-Carotene. Additional beneficial bioactive compounds in Gac, such as fatty acids and vitamin E, provide significant antioxidant benefits for human health.

According to Dr. Nguyen Ba Hoat, a senior researcher and former Deputy Director of the Institute of Medicinal Materials at the Ministry of Health, Gac is exceptionally rich in Lycopene and Beta-Carotene. It’s a native fruit of Vietnam with clear geographic indications, making it an ideal food source for these nutrients for Vietnamese people.

The most concentrated amounts of Lycopene and Beta-Carotene in Gac are found in the aril (the membrane surrounding the seeds). According to research by Ishida BK and colleagues, Gac has the highest carotenoid levels among tropical fruits, with Lycopene at 222.7 mg per 100 g (about 70 times more than tomatoes) and Beta-Carotene at 71.8 mg per 100 g (about 10 times more than carrots).

However, Lycopene and Beta-Carotene in Gac are easily degraded by environmental factors like light, heat, and oxidizing agents. Thus, Gac processing must minimize exposure to these factors to preserve its active compounds.

In industrial production, Gac can be processed through cold-pressing the aril for Gac oil or solvent extraction from dried aril powder to obtain Lycopene and Beta-Carotene. Gac products should be stored in a dark, cool place to maintain their potency.

Nguyen Quang Phi Tin, CEO of Trust Farma International (TFI), shares: “There are many Gac-based products on the Vietnamese market, but they often have low Lycopene content and lack clear sourcing information, making consumers hesitant to use them.”

“For this reason, we decided to become the exclusive distributor in Vietnam for Lyco-Prevent Soft-gel, which address these issues. Lyco-Prevent is made from organic Gac oil grown in certified organic farms in Nghia Dan and Yen Thanh, Nghe An province. The entire cultivation process adheres to strict U.S. (USDA-NOP) and European (EC 834/2007) organic standards, ensuring safety for consumers and environmental friendliness.”

Lyco-Prevent stands out in the market with its exceptionally high levels of Lycopene and Beta-Carotene, extracted fully from organic Gac through advanced technology and conveniently packaged in Soft-gel for ease of use. The product guarantees health benefits for consumers, particularly in supporting liver protection, enhancing immunity, fighting aging, and promoting eye health.