Scientists in Kazakhstan Develop Antioxidant Supplement for Disease Prevention

Scientists in Kazakhstan are developing a dietary supplement containing antioxidants that is intended to help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The project is being carried out by the Kazakh Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry. The development is taking place in Almaty and is based on the use of domestically sourced plant raw materials, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The ministry says the aim is to create an affordable functional food product with high antioxidant activity. The key component of the supplement is lycopene, a natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, watermelons, and grapefruits. Lycopene is known for its antioxidant properties and its potential role in reducing oxidative stress, which is associated with the development of various chronic diseases. According to the ministry, insufficient intake of antioxidants may contribute to weakened immune function and an increased risk of chronic conditions. As part of the project, researchers have already developed technologies to produce powders from tomatoes and watermelons while preserving their biological properties. Freeze-drying and infrared drying methods are being used for this purpose. Official information indicates that the supplement’s formulation includes lycopene, tomato and watermelon powders, pumpkin seed powder, and safflower oil. This combination is expected to improve bioavailability and make the product convenient for regular use. The Ministry of Agriculture says the development reflects growing demand for functional foods both in Kazakhstan and internationally. The product could eventually be targeted for export markets. Officials also expect the project to reduce dependence on imported food additives, expand the domestic raw material base for the processing industry, and create new opportunities for the development of the agro-industrial sector. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on another innovation by Kazakh scientists: a mobile unit designed to process and store agricultural products for extended periods.

Kazakhstan Sees Growth in Urban Cancer Cases

The incidence of cancer has risen in Kazakhstan’s cities, while rural areas have seen a decline, according to Energyprom.kz, which cited data from the Ministry of Health. In 2024, cancer incidence in urban areas reached 239.2 cases per 100,000 people, up from 230 the previous year. The highest rates, exceeding the national average, were recorded in the Karaganda region (353.5 per 100,000), Kostanay region (352.7), East Kazakhstan region (349.4), and Abay region (302.4). Environmental factors are believed to contribute. Karaganda, the hub of Kazakhstan’s coal and metallurgical industries, was ranked the world’s third most polluted city in 2024, according to the World Air Quality Report by IQAir. By contrast, cancer incidence in rural areas decreased to 147.1 per 100,000 people in 2024, down from 173.8 in 2023. Regional Data The total number of cancer patients in Kazakhstan reached 230,900 in 2024, an increase of 12,800, or 5.8%, compared to the previous year. Almaty, the country’s largest city, recorded the highest number of patients: 34,200. However, its incidence rate per 100,000 people was slightly below the national average. Karaganda region ranked second with 21,400 patients. Astana followed with 16,800. In 2024, 41,300 people in Kazakhstan were diagnosed with cancer for the first time. The largest numbers of new cases were in Almaty (5,200), Karaganda region (3,800), and Astana (3,000). Medical statistics also showed that the rate of primary diagnoses declined slightly, from 208.6 to 204.8 per 100,000 people. Kazakhstan in Regional Contex Within Central Asia, Kazakhstan has the highest cancer incidence, followed by: Kyrgyzstan - 86 per 100,000 Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - 74.1 Tajikistan - 32.1 The cancer mortality rate in Kazakhstan also rose in 2024, from 65.1 to 68 deaths per 100,000 people. Measures to Combat Cancer To expand treatment access, Kazakhstan has launched domestic production of oncological drugs. In October 2024, Swiss pharmaceutical company F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., in partnership with Nobel Almaty Pharmaceutical Factory JSC, began producing three biotechnological medicines in Almaty for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form affecting up to 20% of breast cancer patients in Kazakhstan. Each year, around 5,000 new cases of breast cancer are registered in the country, with about 1,200 resulting in death.