LycoRed develops slow-release genistein supplement

In a new formulation for bone maintenance, Israeli company LycoRed, uses a slow-release technology to activate three clinically proven ingredients. The product called Lyc-O-Fem, combines the benefits of genistein, tomato lycopene and vitamin D3.

The genistein in Lyc-O-Fem is a phytoestrogen derived from Sophora japonica, the Japanese pagoda tree, standardised to 98% purity and specially formulated for slow release. Studies have shown this compound to benefit the bones and reduce vasomotor symptoms. Further, genistein contributes positively to bone metabolism in post-menopausal women, doing so without the harmful estrogenic activity.  The drawback, however is that genistein metabolises rapidly, requiring the administration of the supplement twice a day.

The new product developed by LycoRed can provide continuous exposure with only once-a-day supplementation. This is made possible by the slow-release technology.

“The advantage in combining the slow-release formulation of pure genistein with natural tomato lycopene, in addition to the cumulative activity in bone maintenance, is the ability of lycopene derivatives to reduce the risk of certain adverse effects associated with estrogenic activity,” explains Tal Offer, PhD, product development manager at LycoRed.

Lyc-O-Fem contains lycopene, a bright-red carotenoid pigment derived from an all-natural extract of tomatoes. To develop a strain of non-genetically modified tomatoes rich in lycopene—up to four times the amount found in regular tomatoes—conventional cross-breeding methods were used and a proprietary method for extracting the tomato lycopene from these tomatoes was developed. The product is available as a (drum-to-hopper) pre-mix, in hard-shell capsules, or bulk or fully packed.