LYCOMPLETE^® AND HUMAN HEALTH

Lycomplete^® is a nutritional supplement containing organic lycopene in addition to other antioxidants. It is indicated for the prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancers, etc.).
Lycomplete^® is obtained from natural and organic certified (OGM-free) raw materials,.
Lycomplete^® contains a balanced mix of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants, which play their role with a synergic mechanism and give protection both in aqueous (cytoplasm, blood plasma) and lipidic (cell membranes, low density lipoproteins) environments.

Each Lycomplete^® capsule contains:

Lycopene	4,5 mg
Vitamin C	60 mg
Vitamin E	10 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid	35 mg
Resveratrol	20 mg
Omega 3	160 mg
Omega 6	7 mg

Each Lycomplete® capsule contains the same amount of lycopene present in 3 kg of fresh red-ripe tomatoes.
Each packaging contains 20 softgels, 700mg each, packed in blister.

Lycomplete® contains organic lycopene

Taking one Lycomplete® softgel daily could help to reduce the oxidative stress and the damaging activity of free radicals on low density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL oxidisation is strictly related to the development of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries, which is one of the main cause of cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidant activity of organic lycopene in Lycomplete® is strengthened by the synergy between the other natural antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid, resveratrol. This synergy works like a regeneration chain.
Alpha lipoic acid reduces the oxidized forms of glutathione and vitamin C, thus regenerating and making them active. With a similar mechanism, the reduced vitamin C can regenerate the oxidized form of vitamin E.
Each antioxidant has a specific action on a few free radical species. A single antioxidant cannot protect the body from the damage due to all the different types of free radicals.
Lycomplete® has been developed as a balanced mix of antioxidants which could efficiently satisfy the organism needs.

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases are the main causes of early death in many developed countries across the world. They are caused by the formation and the development of an atherosclerotic plaque on the internal walls of the arteries. This process is due to the oxidisation of low density lipoproteins (LDL), which produces lipidic deposits (atheromata). LDL is the main carrier of cholesterol into the blood stream. Oxidized LDL (LDL_ox) are not able to play correctly their role and are removed and destroyed by macrophages. When a LDL_ox excess occurs, the macrophages become larger, change their aspect and accumulate on the walls of the arteries. The gradual build up of these deposits causes the arteries to narrow and harden, restricting the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. This can cause angina and, if a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, it can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle or heart attack.

FREE  RADICALS  AND  ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEMS  OF THE  BODY

Free radicals are by-products of the metabolic processes of the body.
Free radicals play an important role in a number of biological processes, some of which are necessary for life, such as the intracellular killing of bacteria. Nevertheless, an excess of free radicals, constitute a serious danger for the human body, in fact, they may initiate unwanted side chain-reactions resulting in cell damage.
In chemistry, free radicals are atoms, molecules or ions with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration. The most important free radicals are: superoxide (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH-), nitrous oxide (NO2·), nitric oxide (NO-), hydrogen (H+), ossigen (O+) and singlet oxygen (O2+). These unpaired electrons are usually highly reactive, so radicals are likely to take part in chemical reactions, in a sort of chain reaction mechanism.
Antioxidants could reduce or stop these reactions by giving electrons to free radicals.
The targets of the destructive action of free radicals are the cell components, such as membrane lipids, nucleic acids and proteins.
Many types of cancer are probably the result of reactions between free radicals and DNA, resulting in mutations that can adversely affect the cell cycle and potentially lead to malignancy. Free radicals may also be involved in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, dermatitis. Some of the symptoms of aging such as atherosclerosis are also attributed to free-radical induced oxidation of many of the chemicals making up the body.
Since free radicals are necessary for life, the body has a number of mechanisms to reduce free radical action and to repair damage which does occur, such as the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. These endogenous systems need to be supported by antioxidants introduced by diet, as they play a key role in these defence mechanisms

LYCOMPLETE^®  ACTIVE  PRINCIPLES

ORGANIC LYCOPENE

Recent studies and scientific publications demonstrated that lycopene has a significant antioxidant activity, twice higher than β-carotene and 10 times than vitamin E.
Organic lycopene is different from the other nutritional supplements containing lycopene, as it has:

	a 100% natural product, organic certified ICEA;
	absence of toxic solvents, chemicals and by-products
	improved natural bioavailability
	improved antioxidant and anticancer activity

Mechanism of action of lycopene

Thanks to its potent antioxidant activity action against free radicals, lycopene lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases by preventing the oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and of the development of atherosclerotic plaque.
LDL are lipid-based, whereas high density lipoproteins (HDL) are protein-based, so lycopene may interact with LDLs and protect them from oxidation due to free radical attacks.

The statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease. Unlike lycopene, the statins are not able to prevent LDL oxidation due to free radicals and consequent atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Cardiovascular diseases are not only due to hypercholesterolemia, but another important cause is LDL oxidisation by free radicals.
Daily consumption of a little dose of lycopene (3-5 mg, the content of a Lycomplete^® softgel) may reduce oxidative stress and consequent LDL oxidisation. Oxidized LDL (LDL_ox) are strictly related to atherosclerotic plaque formation on the walls of arteries and consequent cardiovascular diseases.

VITAMIN E

Vitamin E can be found in: vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, corn), eggs, milk, wholegrain foods, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), other fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin E is one of the most important lipophilic antioxidants. It protects membrane lipids from oxidation carried out by free radicals, in particular from reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Vitamin E plays an important role in several fields: prevention of atherosclerosis, of cardiovascular diseases, of many forms of cancer; protection of muscular, sexual reproduction and immunitary systems; stimulation of diuresis in hypertensive patients.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans and one of the most important hydrophilic antioxidants.
Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables (red peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, kiwifruits, citrus, etc).
Vitamin C is required for a range of essential metabolic reactions and for the biosynthesis of collagen, aminoacids and hormones. Moreover, vitamin C strengthens the immunitary system, stops free radical attacks, protects the stomach from carcinogenic compounds.
Lack of vitamin C exposes the body to the negative and damaging consequences of oxidative stress due to free radicals, which is responsible of atherosclerosis. A reduction of collagen in bloody vessels occurs, followed by the loss of tone of the veins and consequent accumulation of lipoproteins on their walls.
An important effect resulting from lack of vitamin C is scurvy, since without this vitamin, the synthesised collagen is too unstable to perform its function. Scurvy leads to the formation of liver spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes. The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs. The sick person looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilized. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth and, eventually, death. The human body can store only a certain amount of vitamin C thus the body soon depletes itself if fresh supplies are not consumed.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID

Alpha lipoic acid is found in almost all foods, but slightly more in spinach, broccoli, potatoes, heart and liver.
Alpha lipoic acid is present in humans, even if the amount is very low. It plays an important role as antioxidant, both in hydrophilic compartments, like cytoplasm, and lipophilic environments, like cellular membranes. Thanks to its chemical properties, alpha lipoic acid prevents the damaging action of free radicals against both lipids and proteins.
Alpha lipoic acid is effective in both oxidized and reduced forms, it is involved in the regeneration mechanisms of other antioxidant, such as vitamin C and glutathione.
Alpha lipoic acid is involved in the control of blood glucose level, by boosting the action of insulin and helping cellular intake of glucose.
Moreover, consumption of alpha lipoic acid may reduce the risk of cataract, as it helps the regeneration of glutathione, which is the most abundant antioxidant present in eye fluids.

RESVERATROL

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine, but is also present in some berries and peanuts. In Asian traditional medicine, Polygonum Cuspidatum, an important concentrated source of resveratrol replacing grape by-products, is used in the treatment of heart and liver diseases.
Resveratrol has several activities: antioxidant, as it inhibits the oxidisation of LDL thus preventing atherosclerosis process; anti-inflammatory, as it inhibits some enzymes (cyclooxigenases) involved in the inflammation.

POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 and omega-6, are essential for the human health. The PUFAs are the precursors for the synthesis of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) these are defined as fatty acids with 20 or more carbon atoms containing three or more double bonds.
The PUFAs and their derivatives VLC-PUFAs interfere with the cell inflammatory and immunitary responses and are able to modulate complex biological processes acting on the functionality of different systems such as cardiovascular, nervous and immunitary.
VLC-PUFAs are almost absent in higher plants.
Several researchers consider the inflammation process “the secret killer” responsible of chronic degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, artist, asthma, lung fibrosis, Alzheimer, intestine chronic inflammations, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Further research has shown that human metabolism requires both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, so it is important their intake by a balanced diet.
Omega-3 may reduce the synthesis of triglycerides in the liver and the formation and oxidisation of LDL.
American and European Cardiology Societies suggest that the dietary intake of omega-3, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) (DHA), by eating fish or by taking nutritional supplements, is an important tool for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It is also known that arachidonic acid (20:4), an omega-6, and DHA are important for the health and neonatal development. These two VLC-PUFAs are added to the formulation of artificial milk for children.

	PIERRE s.r.l. S.P. 362 km 17,650 Zona Industriale - 73013 Galatina (LE) Italy Tel + 39 0836566971 Fax + 39 0836 569968 - info@lycopene.it
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