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Our eyes are very precious and have some very specific requirements for good function. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two ingredients essential to this end. For this reason high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin have been used in this formulation together with essential co-factors which work synergistically with lutein and zeaxanthin for optimum utilisation by the eyes of these essential active ingredients.
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Out of all the diseases and illnesses that can affect quality of life such as; losing a limb, loss of memory, speech, and hearing, the loss of vision has been ranked to have a major impact on quality of life. There is an acute loss of independence.
General information about eyes and vision
Some of the causes of vision loss cannot be prevented, but many of them can be or can at least be delayed. Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the issues and how to ensure the best results of eye health. It is extremely important for us all to be better educated about eye and vision deterioration and diseases so we are aware of how and why disorders develop and the effects they can have on vision. We need to pay attention to whether or not relatives have suffered from diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration to name a few, as there is often a hereditary pattern to developing these diseases.
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Age-related vision loss has many different causes, but high on the list of causal factors is oxidative stress on the light sensory cells in the retina. Toxic /nutritional optic neuropathy (disorders defined by visual impairment due to optic nerve damage as a result of toxic substances and/or nutritional deficiency) is characterized by a reduction in visual acuity decreased colour perception and centred visual field loss. Toxins that may promote the development of optic neuropath y include tobacco smoke, certain chemicals (eg lead, toluene, ethylene glycol) and some medications like cimetidine, amiodarone and digitalis. Cyanide is believed to be the factor in cigarette smoke that causes tobacco amblyopia (defined as dimness of vision, especially when occurring in one eye without apparent physical defect or disease). A deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B-1), vitamin B-12 or folic acid can cause optic neuropathy. Alcohol abuse can also exacerbate these nutritional deficiencies.
Then there are inherited eye problems like retinitis pigmentosa. Diseases characterized by degeneration of photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina compromising the eyes response to light. But research has shown that vitamin A supplementation can improved visual function and slow down the rate of the disease’s progression in these patients. Supplementation with lutein and taurine also showed similar positive results.
If there have been no other vision issues, to stay on top of your eye and vision health take a powerful nutritional supplement. It can be highly beneficial. Diabetics please take extra precautions as some nutrients are required in even higher amounts to assist in avoiding diabetic retinopathy.
Dosages
Take 1 capsule daily or as directed by your health practitioner.
Supplement information
| Active ingredients |
mg / capsule |
| Lutein |
20 |
| Zeaxanthin |
6 |
| L-Taurine |
50 |
| Vit A Acetate |
1 |
| Zinc Gluconate |
15 |
| Mg Aspartate 20% |
50 |
| P5P |
5 |
| Anthocyanins/Bilberry Extract 2% |
50 |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid |
15 |
Lutein:
Lutein and zeaxanthin filter harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and help protect and maintain healthy cells in the eyes. Of the 600 carotenoids found in nature, only these two are deposited in high quantities in the retina (macula) of the eye.
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Our eyes need antioxidants to keep them health and working at their best. Three important antioxidants for optimum eye functioning eyes are lutein and zeaxanthin and alpha lipoic acid. Lutein is a carotenoid stored in the retina of the eye and is essential for good vision. Unfortunately, the human body does not naturally make the lutein and zeaxanthin it needs. This is why eating green vegetables is important. Getting daily amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin through your diet or nutritional supplements can help maintain good eye health. Green leafy vegetables, as well as other foods such as eggs, contain these important nutrients.
Along with another carotenoid, zeaxanthin, it helps reduce discomfort from glare and shortens the time it takes to recover from bright light. Research has shown that lutein can improve vision and can significantly improve visual performance in low-light environments.
Both lutein and zeaxanthin are yellow pigments and this yellow pigment helps protect our eyes, almost like sunglasses! Lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to lower your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. People with low levels of lutein have been linked with greater incidences of age-induced macular degeneration. Because blue-eyes have less natural pigments, it has been shown that they need even more lutein and zeaxanthin than brown eyes.
Some studies have shown that lutein can be stored in the body after nutritional supplementation. Beyond reducing the risk of eye disease, separate studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin improve visual performance in Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients, cataract patients and people in good health.
Zeaxanthin:
It is one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature. It is the pigment that gives paprika (made from bell peppers), corn, saffron, wolfberries, and many other plants and microbes their characteristic color.
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Xanthophylls such as zeaxanthin are found in highest quantity in the leaves of most green plants. Zeaxanthin is one of the two primary xanthophyll carotenoids contained within the retina of the eye. Within the central macula, zeaxanthin is the dominant component, whereas in the peripheral retina, lutein predominates.
The crystalline lens (the natural lens in the eye) primarily collects and focuses light on the retina. To do this throughout your life, the lens must remain clear. Oxidation of the lens is a major cause of cataracts, which cloud the lens. Antioxidant nutrients like zeaxanthin and lutein, neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules) that are associated with oxidative stress and retinal damage. This is why they play a role in preventing cataracts. In fact, a recent study demonstrated that higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin and vitamin E was associated with a significantly decreased risk of cataract formation.
L-Taurine:
Taurine is not an essential amino acid. It is manufactured in the body and is also found in animal protein, but not in vegetable. It is a sulphur amino acid derivative.
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For the eye taurine is believed to enhance the rods and cones – the pigmented epithelial cells in the retina of the eye that serve as visual receptor cells. It supports the integrity of photoreceptors necessary for night vision, in a process known as rhodopsin regeneration. Rhodopsin is the primary pigment in photoreceptor rods and so vision in low-light conditions is supported. It also helps to protect cell membranes from free radical damage and helps to remove toxins and debris. Taurine is found in the photoreceptors at levels ten times greater than other amino acids.
The greatest visual acuity occurs in the macular area of the retina near where the optic nerve enters from the back of the eye. As we age, the macula commonly degenerates as rods and cones die, which can result in blindness. The cause of the degeneration is unclear but it occurs more commonly in diabetics and may be the result of free radical damage from ultra violet light or oxygen exposure. Taurine also protects the eye from toxins and has the ability to remove damaging molecules in the eye which may implicate its ability to protect the retina. Levels of taurine decline significantly with age.
Vitamin A Acetate:
Vitamin A is essential to our eye health and vision. Our retinas need vitamin A to properly function and to produce the pigment rhodopsin. Vitamin A is so important for healthy eyes that poor night vision can actually be caused by a deficiency in this vitamin. It assists our eyes in:
- adjusting to changes in light
- eliminating night blindness when the underlying problem is nutritional deficiency
- preventing blindness caused by macular degeneration
- preventing cataracts
- help the eyes remain moist.
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Vitamin A and zinc are essential components for night vision. Vitamin A plays an integral part in light perception by the rods. Deficiency of this vitamin can result in:
- night blindness - poor dark adaption is the most constant sign of avitminosis A
- xerophthalmia - drying and degenerative disease of the cornea, which shows various stages of severity depending on age and other environmental factors.
- keratomalcia - softening of the cornea which can result in blindness if not treated.
- xerosis - Dryness of the conjunctiva with a wrinkled thickened appearance in children. The xerosis may extend to the cornea
- bitot's spots - the build up of keratin located superficially in the conjunctiva. They can appear oval, triangular or irregular in shape.
The retina has a large amount of the chemical rhodopsin, named “visual purple” because of its purplish appearance. When light hits the retina, rhodopsin begins a chemical cascade of changes that make night vision possible. The rods and cones of the eye also go through these chemical changes. The rods are responsible for monochromatic vision that we use in the dark. Most diseases of the eye that result in night blindness are caused by the rods malfunctioning. Large amounts of vitamin A are required for all the chemical reactions of the eye to take place and result in vision, which is why even slight deficiencies can result in night vision problems.
Zinc gluconate:
It is well documented that Zinc is needed for healthy eye functioning. Zinc is involved in the vitamin A pathways. Zinc is a cofactor to the enzyme retinal reductase which is required for the regeneration of rhodopsin from retinol, a vitamin A derivative. This reaction plays a role in normal rod function and dark adaptation.
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Zinc is also involved in fatty acid metabolism; it is known that omega-3 is beneficial for the eyes and both omega-3 and omega-6 for dry eyes.
Magnesium Aspartate
Magnesium is used in over 300 reactions in the body as a co-factor and is vital for optimum functioning of these metabolic processes.
P-5-P:
Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the active component of Vitamin B-6 which is used in all metabolic transactions; transaminase reactions (amino acids and proteins), metabolic processes and many more.
Anthrocyanins: Bilberry Extract:
Anthrocyanins is a group of flavonoids present in blueberries, blackberries and red grapes, cherries, brown rice and some other foods. They play a role in visual function by stimulating the regeneration of rhodopsin in rod photoreceptors. Supplementation of anthrocyanins (bilberry extract) has shown improvement in the absolute visual threshold.
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Bilberry is rich in flavonoids, specifically anthocyanosides. These natural chemicals are potent antioxidants that, among other benefits, enhance the creation of the purple pigment (rhodopsin) that is used by the rods in the back of the eye to assist with night vision. Early research has shown that bilberry supplementation improves the speed of adapting to darkness for people who have poor night vision.
Eye fatigue/weakness (asthenopia) often accompanied by eye pain, red eyes, headache and dimming or blurring of vision. These symptoms often occur after tedious visual tasks such as reading and/or computer work. Improvement of these symptoms has been noted with bilberry extract supplementation.
Alpha Lipoic Acid:
Also known as thioctic acid, which has been known since 1950’s to work with enzymes throughout the body to speed the processes involved in energy production. In late 1980’s alpha-lipoic acid found to be a powerful anti-oxidant, neutralizing naturally occurring, highly reactive molecules called free radicals which can damage cells. Due to its unique properties of being both water and fat soluble it is extremely potent. As a very high potency anti-oxidant, it can prove effective in a variety of disorders:
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It is found naturally in our bodies and is essential to life. Levels have been found to drop
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