Bilberry (vaccinium myrtillus) has been used for over 1000 years. It is a relative of blueberry, and is known as European blueberry and huckleberry. It was traditionally used to help diarrhea and dysentery, to relieve scurvy, dysuria, and to stop the flow of breast milk. Today in Europe, preparations are used to help degenerative retinal disorders such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. It is also used to treat microcirculatory disorders including atherosclerosis, varicose veins and venous insufficiency. It has been suggested that bilberry works by protecting against the breakdown as well as generating rhodopsin (retinal purple), a pigment located in the retina. It may also decrease capillary fragility and permeability. Bilberry anthocyanidins inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, and are vasoprotective; they also have antioxidant effects. Bilberry extracts have been investigated for their effects on improving vision acuity in dim light, or night vision, diabetic neuropathy, retinal inflammation, reducing cataract formation, progressive myopia, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa. Our bilberry contains 25% anthocyanidins by measured HPLC high performance liquid chromatography).
Lutein is a fat soluble carotenoid that is found in the central part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, known as the maculalutea. It works in tandem with zeazanthin, an antioxidant from lutein. There is a strong correlation between dietary lutein intake and the prevention of macular degeneration, the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness in older adults in the U.S. Some researchers believe that lutein may act as a filter against light damage. In a 356 patient study epidemiological researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that adults with the highest intake of lutein and zeazanthin from dietary sources decreased their macular degeneration risk by over forty percent. Lutein has also been shown to reduce the risk of cataracts and may be helpful to those who have retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Health Concerns uses lutein/zeaxanthin derived from marigolds.
Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body. It is especially found in the tissues of the eye, heart, central nervous system, and skeletal muscle. This amino acid has been used to treat vision disabilities and hypertension.
Therapeutic Actions
1. Primary uses include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, poor night vision, retinal inflammation, diabetic neuropathy, myopia.
2. Secondary uses include atherosclerosis, hypertension, and venous conditions.
May be useful for regulating blood glucose and to protect the eyes of diabetics.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using these or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious condition.