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Vision
and Eye Health
[Our
Precious Eyesight | Herbs and Other Nutritional
Supplements]
[Carnosine | Astaxanthin
| Vitamins & Minerals | Lutein
and Zeaxanthin]
[Rutin | Eyebright | Green
Tea | Taurine | N-Acetylcysteine
(NAC)]
[Alpha Lipoic Acid | Ginkgo
Biloba | Bilberry | References]
adapted from the
article by Dr. Bob Martin
Our
Precious Eyesight
From the moment
we wake up in the morning until we fall asleep at night, we depend on our
sense of vision for our contact with the world and people in our lives.
Good vision and eye health is a concern for old and young. The thought of
losing sight, a major catastrophe, strikes fear and dread. Fortunately,
there are measures which can be taken to maintain good vision and eye
health. Current scientific research shows that there are powerful, natural
antioxidants which promote good vision, support healthy eyes, and protect
us from disease.* These special ingredients also help protect the eyes
from damage associated with aging.*

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Herbs
and Other Nutritional Supplements that Support Vision
Carnosine
Carnosine
(beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally-occurring dipeptide that was
discovered in Russia in 1900. Because much of the research with carnosine
was performed in Russia, it has been largely unavailable to Western
scientists until recently. Carnosine has demonstrated efficacy in
promoting good vision and eye health. Among other things, Carnosine helps restore the
proteins in the lens, and is thought to function as a "molecular
water pump".1 Carnosine has been shown
to reduce the risk of cross-linking between glucose and protein.
Cross-linking is a process in which protein and glucose starts sticking
together which increases the risk of eye degeneration.
Visible Age-Defying Benefits
In a recent
article in International Anti-Aging Systems, Dr. Marios Kyriazis reported
that his patients who take carnosine supplements often receive comments
that they simply look younger. This may be a reflection of the phenomenon
observed in experiments which show that carnosine actually rejuvenates
older cells in culture,2 and in other
experiments in which carnosine prevented the development of visible
features of aging.3 In another recent
article, Russian scientists reported that not only did the carnosine-fed
mice appear much more youthful than controls, but experienced a 20%
increase in lifespan.4 Carnosine is extremely
non-toxic and safe, and acts synergistically when taken with other
antioxidants.
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Astaxanthin
- A Powerful Antioxidant and Eye Support
Astaxanthin
is a powerful, bioactive anti-oxidant from microalgae, and has
demonstrated efficacy in supporting good vision and eye health.
Astaxanthin has been shown to be a powerful quencher of singlet oxygen
activity,5 and is a strong scavenger of
oxygen free radicals, at least ten times stronger than beta-carotene.6
Experiments with red blood cells and mitochondria from rats have shown
that Astaxanthin is 100 times more effective at inhibiting lipid
peroxidation than is vitamin E. Other tests have shown that
astaxanthin is up to 1000 times more powerful than Vitamin E.7
A recent study shows that Astaxanthin is effective at protecting the
retina, and that it is also effective at protecting photoreceptors.8
Astaxanthin was found to easily cross the blood-brain barrier (unlike
beta-carotene).
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Vitamins
& Minerals
Vitamins C,
E, Beta carotene and Zinc can significantly cut the risk of vision and eye
concerns, says a recent groundbreaking study. This study, called the Age-Related
Eye Disease Study (AREDS), was sponsored by the National Eye
Institute. If everyone took these
supplements, more than 250,000 Americans would be saved from potential eye
challenges over the next 5 years, says Frederick Ferris of the National
Eye Institute. No other treatment has been shown to protect our vision
this much. “This is a rather remarkable finding,” says Paul Sieving,
director of the eye institute.
The study, reported in the Archives of Ophthalmology, involved 4,757
people, 55 to 80 years old. The supplements combining antioxidants and
zinc cut the risk of the potential eye concerns by about 25%. Gerald
Chader, chief scientific officer of the Foundation Fighting Blindness in
Owings Mills, Md., says the new findings “are tremendously going to
improve the quality of life for a number of people.”
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Lutein
and Zeaxanthin
Protecting
your vision and eye health and prevention of potential eye challenges is
of paramount importance. Lutein and Zeaxanthin protect the macula region
of the eye (the area responsible for detailed vision) from free radical
damage and retard age-related eye concerns.9
Increasing intake of them help promote macular density in your eyes which
is important.
Rutin
and Quercetin
These
bioflavonoids are excellent antioxidants utilized in the body to enhance
the effectiveness of vitamin C, and help strengthen the walls of the
intricate blood vessels in the eye.
Eyebright
This natural herb is often overlooked today but has been used for
centuries for eye concerns. Appropriately named, it eases
oversensitivity to light, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
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Green
Tea
Most of the studies of
the effect of green tea have been focused on its cancer-protecting
aspects, but green tea polyphenols are potent antioxidant compounds.
they are more potent antioxidants than vitamin E and vitamin C. Green
tea may also increase the activity of the antioxidant enzyme.
Taurine
Taurine is
an amino acid that is important for the maintainence of healthy tissues of
the retina. It helps protect the eyes from harmful effects of ultraviolet
light.*
N-Acetylcysteine
(NAC)
Some
practitioners suggest taking NAC because it is a major glutathione
precursor. Glutathione has antioxidant activity and may promote healthy
eyes, and is crucial in possibly protecting against free radical damage.*
Some studies have shown that many lenses of unhealthy eyes contain
approximately 1/5th the amount of glutathione as compared to normal
lenses.
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Alpha
Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic
acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like antioxidant, and is sometimes referred to as
the “universal antioxidant,” because it is soluble in both fat and
water.10 Alpha lipoic acid supports good
vision and eye health.* According to Lester Packer, a leading scientist
who has researched free radicals, "Alpha lipoic acid could have
far-reaching consequences in the search for prevention and therapy of
chronic degenerative diseases...." Several other benefits of lipoic
acid regarding eye and vision protection involve its ability to regenerate
and increase Vitamins C and E in the body. These vitamins are important
naturally-occurring, free-radical scavengers.11
Ginkgo
Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a
powerful herbal extract that may increase the circulation of blood to the
eyes.* It has been shown in some cases to help lower intraocular pressure
in the eyes. Ginkgo has antioxidant activity, improves arterial blood flow
and enhances cellular metabolism. It’s known for its age-defying
properties which may support good vision and eye health.
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Bilberries
for Good Night Vision
Bilberry
fruits have long been pressed into jam in Europe and Asia, and were first
used for good vision during World War II. Just before their nighttime
flights over the English Channel to bomb targets on the mainland, British
pilots found that tea and crumpets including a bilberry spread, helped
them see better. Subsequent research suggested that the bioflavonoids in
bilberries support good vision and eye health. Many doctors are now
recommending bilberry for those concerned about potential eye challenges.
The bioflavonoids in Bilberry have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
effects, and strengthen the structural integrity of blood vessels
throughout the body and promote healthy circulation, particularly to the
small capillaries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the eyes.* Bilberry
also helps prevent free radical damage to the delicate structures within
the eye.* Bilberry may help your night vision and adaptation to the dark,
and promote visual acuity and capillary integrity.* Bilberry may help your
night vision (especially noticeable while driving) and makes reading,
computer use, and other activities easier on your eyes.*
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References
-
Baslow,
MH. Function of the N-acetyl-L-histidine system in the vertebrate eye.
Evidence in support of a role as a molecular water pump. J Mol
Neurosci, 1998, 10(3), 193-208.
-
McFarland,
GA, Holliday, R. Retardation of the senescence of cultured human
diploid fibroblasts by carnosine. Exp Cell Res, 1994, 212(2): 167-75.
-
Boldyrev,
AA, Gallant, SC, Suhkich, GT. Carnosine, the protective, anti-aging
peptide. Biosci Rep, 1999, 19 (6), 581-7.
-
Yuneva,
M.O., Bulygina, E.R., Gallant, S.C., et al. Effect of carnosine on
age-induced changes in senescence-accelerated mice. J Anti-Aging
Medicine, 2: 1999, 337-342.
-
DiMascio,
P., T.P.A. Devasagayam, S. Kaiser, and H. Sies. 1990. Carotenoids,
tocopherols and thiols as biological singlet molecular oxygen
quenchers. Trans. Biochem. Soc. 18: 1054-1056.
-
Miki,
W. 1991. Biological functions and activities of animal carotenoids.
Pure & Appl. Chem. 63: 141-146.
-
Tso,
M.O.M., and T.-T. Lam. 1996. Method of retarding and ameliorating
central nervous system and eye damage. U.S. Patent #5527533.
-
Tso,
M.O.M., and T.-T. Lam. 1996. Method of retarding and ameliorating
central nervous system and eye damage. U.S. Patent #5527533.
-
Hammond,
B.R., et al., "Dietary Modification of Human Macular Pigment
Density" Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science.
-
Kagan
V, Khan S, Swanson C, Shevedova A, Serbinova E, and Packer L.
Antioxidant action of thioctic acid and dihydrolipoic acid. Free Rad
Biol Med 1990;9S:15.
-
Kagan
VE, Shvedova A, Serbinova E, Khan S, Swanson C, Powell R, Packer L.
Dihydrolipoic acid - a universal antioxidant both in the membrane and
in the aqueous phase. Reduction of peroxyl, ascorbyl and chromanoxyl
radicals. Biochem Pharmacol 1992 Oct 20;44(8):1637-49.
This article is
adapted from Consumers Guide to Vision by Dr. Bob Martin and
reprinted with exclusive permission from NaturalCare.
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