Natural Health Solutions

For wellness consumers seeking additional antioxidant protection in liquid form, g3 is a lush, tangy super fruit blend that combines four of the planet’s most phytonutrient-dense fruits. Gac, Chinese Lycium, Cili fruit and Siberian Pineapple combine in g3 to form the most antioxidant dense fruit juice fusion available.

According to a 2004 USDA paper, gac—the principal component of g3—has not only 70 times the lycopene of tomatoes, but also 10 times the beta-carotene of carrots. Specifically, gac contains 2,227 mcg. lycopene per gram, as compared with tomatoes at 31-50 mcg. per gram and 718 mcg. beta-carotene per gram, as compared with carrots at 76 mcg. per gram (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem 2002;66:2479-82), (J Agric Food Chem 2004, 52, 274-279).

Moreover, this delicious juice fusion offers particularly rich levels of vitamin C—60 times more than orange juice, ounce for ounce. In light of this research, it becomes clear that the possibilities for health promotion and disease prevention with gac show extraordinary promise.

Why is g3’s high lycopene content so important?

Lycopene—which imparts the red color to brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as the gac fruit, tomatoes and watermelon—is one of the major dietary carotenoids, and has been the focus of considerable research, as we learn more about it cancer preventive and heart health properties.

More than 80% of the lycopene consumed in the United States is derived from tomato products. Bioavailability of lycopene is influenced by fats, which appear to enhance lycopene absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. For a body to absorb lycopene effectively, fatty acids must be present.

What powerful health benefits have been associated with lycopene?

Many of the reported health benefits of lycopene are due to its ability to protect cells from oxidative damage. Lycopene—one of the most powerful antioxidants of all—offers many protective benefits, helping to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Protective benefits were also seen with regard to osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases and hypertension. The consumption of lycopene is well advised, with no contraindications according to the present knowledge (Orv Hetil. 2005 Jul 31;146(31):1621-4).

How does lycopene promote cardiovascular health?

The relationship between lycopene and cardiovascular disease—the #1 cause of death in the United States—is a subject of considerable study (Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):990-7). Lycopene appears to positively influence cholesterol metabolism due to its powerful antioxidant properties. Another impressive study involved subjects from 10 European countries, looking at the relationship between antioxidant status and acute heart attacks.

After adjusting for a range of dietary variables, only lycopene levels were found to be protective (Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2002 Nov;227(10):908-13). Additionally, lycopene along with other carotenoids appears to reduce risk of ischemic stroke (Stroke. 2004 Jul;35(7):1584-8. Epub 2004 Jun 3).

How can lycopene minimize prostate cancer risk?

Among the most exciting areas of research is the relationship between prostate cancer and lycopene. Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, there has been little emphasis on prevention. However, numerous studies have suggested that lycopene may minimize risk of prostate cancer, particularly the more lethal forms.

Five studies show a 30% to 40% reduction in risk linked to high tomato or lycopene consumption. The largest relevant dietary study found that consumption of 2-4 servings of tomato sauce per week was associated with a 35% risk reduction of total prostate cancer and a 50% reduction of advanced prostate cancer. (Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2002 Nov;227(10):852-9).

These results concur with a recent prospective dietary analysis, which identified lycopene as the antioxidant nutrient with the clearest inverse relation to the development of prostate cancer. Moreover, this inverse association was particularly apparent for aggressive cancer. These data provide further evidence that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer (Cancer Res. 1999 Mar 15;59(6):1225-30).

Additionally, a study conducted by Australian and Chinese researchers found that the risk of prostate cancer declined with increasing consumption of foods rich in lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and other antioxidants. The researchers concluded that antioxidants like lycopene appear to be
inversely related to prostate cancer (International Journal of Cancer, March 1, 2005).

In a recent review of 72 studies, Dr. Edward Giovannucci at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that 57 of these studies demonstrated that a high intake of blood lycopene level was able to reduce the risk of a number of cancers. The evidence was strongest for prostate, lung, breast and stomach cancers. Plasma lycopene levels were significantly lower in prostate cancer patients than in controls. These results further show lycopene as one of the most effective antioxidants for reducing risk of prostate cancer. This may be due, among other factors, to its ability to enhance cell-to-cell communication and modulating cell-cycle progression (J Nutr. 2004 Dec;134(12 Suppl):3486S-3492S).

When one considers that most of the research on the benefits of lycopene was done with tomatoes or tomato products as primary sources, it is exciting to think about the potential power of the g_c fruit to offer benefits that far exceed those attributed to existing research.

According to a 2004 USDA paper, gac fruit has not only 70 times the lycopene of tomatoes, but also 10 times the beta-carotene of carrots. Specifically, gac contains 2,227 mcg. lycopene per gram, as compared with tomatoes at 31-50 mcg. per gram and 718 mcg. beta-carotene per gram, as compared with carrots at 76 mcg. per gram (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem 2002;66:2479-82), (J Agric Food Chem 2004, 52, 274-279). In light of this research, it becomes clear that the possibilities for health promotion and disease prevention with gac show extraordinary promise.

Along with impressive levels of carotenoids like lycopene, gac also contains high levels of fatty acids—unusual for most fruits—that help to explain the high bioavailability of its carotenoid antioxidants. Moreover, gac oil is a particularly rich source of vitamin E and other essential fatty acids (Food Nutr Bull 2003;24:224-30).