Optimal Nutrients

Lutein and bilberry are two of the most popular supplements for eye and visual health.* Lutein has been in the headlines lately for its groundbreaking research and our understanding of its importance in the diet and for the eyes has increased greatly.* Lutein is a carotenoid that is found as a pigment in our foods, and has a protective effect on the vision, and perhaps also helps to sharpen vision when it is present in our diets in large amounts (Hammond et al., 2001). *.

Bilberry also has high amounts of pigments from fruits and vegetables called anthocyanins. The anthocyanins in bilberry have been wellstudied and found to have a protective and restorative action on the tiny blood vessels called capillaries in the peripheral parts of the body (legs, arms), and in the eyes; thus explaining their folkloric use in eye health.* In modern times bilberry is also for its protective effect on the body's tissues and eyes (Boniface et al., 1985).*

In his book, The Eyecare Revolution (1999), Dr. Robert Abel, Jr., described the importance of a healthy liver in providing nutrients for the eyes.* Without these nutrients, eye and visual function would gradually worsen over time, and lead to age-related decline in function.* Therefore, supplementing the diet with liver protective and restorative nutrients like milk thistle and alpha-lipoic acid indirectly and nutritionally protects and restores the health of the eyes.*

A review study was recently published examining the theories on the possible acute and chronic effects of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin on visual performance.* The authors identified and discussed the two main theories on the role of these carotenoids on visual health: a) the "protection hypothesis", which states there is a protective effect against oxygen and light by carotenoids that reduces the cumulative degradation on vision;* and b) the "acuity hypothesis", which states that these carotenoids increase visual acuity by absorbing short-wave scattered light.* The authors suggested that both theories have merit, and may be at work simultaneously (Hammond et al., 2001).* .
Landrum and Bone (2001) reviewed the role and localization of the carotenoid pigments lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin in the macular area of the eye.* They discussed the functional role for these pigments in vision as we age.* .
Another study showed that the higher use of antioxidant nutrients and multivitamins was found to correlate to the best eye health as we age (Jacques et al, 2001). *

Bilberry:

A recent review of the role of nutrients in maintaining visual health examined vitamins, nutrients, and botanicals used for maintaining eye health, and a few botanicals, bilberry included, were identified as having the best health-promoting effects (Head, 2001). *
The findings of two clinical studies where bilberry was administered showed that bilberry increased measures of vascular health.* This was explained by Boniface et al. (1985) as due to the ability of anthocyanosides to decrease the biosynthesis of polymeric collagen and glycoproteins.* .
Bilberry was administered to people in one placebo controlled clinical study. The group receiving bilberry was reported to increase eye health by 50% compared to only 20% in the placebo group (Repossi et al., 1987).*
In one study where bilberry was administered with Vitamin E to elderly people bilberry increased eye health (Bravetti et al., 1987).*
In one small study, a bilberry supplement was admininstered over 6 months, and improvements were noted in the retinal picture of all study participants (Orsucci et al., 1983). *

Alphalipoic Acid:

An interesting recent study found that alphalipoic acid suppresses the negative effects of some dietary fats (called n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids). When alphalipoic acid was added to the diet of rats, liver health was promoted (Arend et al., 2000).*
The role of the alphalipoic acid in the body, as well as its potential as a high dose supplement was discussed in this early review of alphalipoic acid. This review mentioned that alphalipoic acid seemed to promote healthy blood-sugar balance and also liver health (Bustamante et al., 1998). *

Milk Thistle:

Milk thistle was administered to people in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study (Lang et al., 1990).* Liver functions were enhanced in the milk thistle groups vs. no change in the placebo group.*
Another double-blind study on the active component in milk thistle confirmed milk thistle's liver health promoting effect (Lirussi and Okolicsanyi, 1992).*
Hikino and Kiso (1988) reviewed clinical studies on the active ingredient (silymarin) in milk thistle, and theorized that there were three main routes of action of silymarin in promoting liver health : it stabilizes the cell membrane, stimulates protein synthesis, and accelarates the regeneration of liver tissue.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.