Nutrision
Supplies several key nutrients that are important in maintaining normal eye function
Nutrision capsules, provided by Westlake Laboratories®, supply several key nutrients, including vitamin A, beta carotene, bilberry extract, taurine, L-glutathione, and zinc, that are important in maintaining normal eye function.
Functions
More than any other tissue in the body, the ocular lens and retina are continually exposed to oxygen and intense light radiation. Both light and oxygen can create free radicals that play havoc with lipids in the membranes of visual cells. Experts believe that the uncontrolled generation of free radicals in the eyes can ultimately lead to macular degeneration and cataracts. Therefore, ocular tissues rely on a strong antioxidant defense system to protect them from free radical damage. Extracts of Bilberry and Ginkgo biloba, eyebright and hawthorn berry powders, rutin, hesperidin, and proanthocyandins are a rich source of flavonoids that provide potent antioxidant defense in retinal visual cells and help maintain healthy vascularization in ocular tissue. Glutathione and selenium are essential components for healthy activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is abundant in healthy eyes. Glutathione peroxidase levels, however, decline with advancing age, and adequate dietary supply of glutathione, its precursor N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and
selenium may help maintain healthy levels of this important enzyme. Beta-carotene serves at least two purposes for the eyes. It is a valuable precursor for vitamin A, which functions in the retinal cells as a light receptor. Beta-carotene, as well as the other carotenoids in Nutrision, is also an important antioxidant in the lens and retina. Zinc is not only essential for normal visual signal transduction in the retina, but also is part of many of the enzymes involved in vitamin A-dependent light reactions in retinal cells. Moreover, zinc, as well as copper and manganese, are essential cofactors of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme that removes potentially dangerous superoxide radicals in the visual cells, the lens, and other tissues. Taurine, the most abundant free amino acid in ocular tissue, is thought to help stabilize neural membranes in retinal cells and modulate photoreceptor activity.
Indications
Nutrision capsules may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to increase their intake of nutrients that support the normal functioning of their vision.
Formula
Each Capsule Contains:
Bilberry Extract ..........................................100 mg
Ginkgo biloba Extract ...................................60 mg
L-Glutathione ...............................................25 mg
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine ..................................100 mg
Taurine ........................................................375 mg
Zinc (Picolinate) ...........................................15 mg
Copper (Sebecate) ...........................................1 mg
Selenium (Selenate) ......................................75 mcg
Manganese (Aspartate) ...................................3 mg
Vitamin A ................................................4,000 I.U.
Beta-Carotene ..........................................4,000 I.U. (Supplying Natural Mixed Carotenoids including Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, Lutein and Lycopene)
Lemon bioflavonoids ....................................50 mg
Rutin .............................................................15 mg
Hesperidin .....................................................10 mg
Proanthocyanidins ........................................10 mg
Eyebright Powder ...........................................5 mg
Hawthorn Berry Powder .................................5 mg
Suggested Use
Adults take 1 to 2 capsules daily or as directed by
physician.
Side Effects
No adverse effects have been reported.
References
Amemiya T. The eye and nutrition. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2000;44:320.
Bron AJ, Vrensen GF, Koretz J, et al. The ageing lens. Ophthalmologica 2000;214:86-104.
Cai J, Nelson KC, Wu M, et al. Oxidative damage and protection of the RPE. Prog Retin Eye Res 2000;19:205-21.
Cejkova J, Stipek S, Crkovska J, et al. Changes of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the corneal
epithelium after UVB rays. Histochemical and biochemical study. Histol Histopathol 2000;15:1043-50.
Chung HS, Harris A, Kristinsson JK, et al. Ginkgo biloba extract increases ocular blood flow velocity. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther
1999;15:233-40.
Giblin FJ. Glutathione: a vital lens antioxidant. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2000;16:121-35.
Huster D, Reichenbach A, Reichelt W. The glutathione content of retinal Muller (glial) cells: effect of pathological conditions.
Neurochem Int 2000;36:461-9.
Muth ER, Laurent JM, Jasper P. The effect of bilberry nutritional supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
Altern Med Rev 2000;5:164-73.
Ranchon I, Gorrand JM, Cluzel J, et al. Functional protection of photoreceptors from light-induced damage by dimethylthiourea
and Ginkgo biloba extract. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:1191-9.
Disclaimer
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.
We at Westlake labs take heavy metal contamination seriously and thus test our products routinely to assure quality. We offer a survey compared to big box store brands randomly obtained over the last year.