Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is semi-synthetic, which means partially created in a lab and partially extracted from the periwinkle plant. The periwinkle plant is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Southwest Asia. Vinpocetine is a wonderful supplement that helps the eyes.
Vinpocetine is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory that is not only good for your eyes but also your memory and cognition. Studies show that people who take Vinpocetine are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration.
Astaxanthin
Studies have demonstrated that natural astaxanthin is 6,000 times more powerful than vitamin C, 770 times more powerful than Coenzyme Q10, 100 times more powerful than vitamin E, and five times more powerful than β-carotene in trapping energy from singlet oxygen, one of the most common reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in the body.
In addition, the way astaxanthin neutralizes harmful ROS/free radicals is gentler on the body’s cells compared to other antioxidants that can be harmful because they may turn into highly reactive molecules themselves.
Astaxanthin has numerous additional health benefits that are supported by extensive scientific research, including over 50 human clinical trials and 1400 peer-reviewed papers.
The science behind astaxanthin for eye health
Astaxanthin supplementation improves eye health according to science. Some benefits discovered from studying astaxanthin are:
- Improved blood flow in capillaries in the eye
- 12 mg astaxanthin per day for 4 weeks
- Improved accommodation amplitude
- 5 mg astaxanthin per day for 4 weeks
- Improved accommodation speed in subjects with eye fatigue
- 6 mg astaxanthin per day for 4 weeks
- Increased critical flicker fusion and sharper visual sensation
- 6 mg astaxanthin per day for 4 weeks
Eyebright
A genus plant that is semi-parasitic to other forms of grass, otherwise known as Euphrasia, or Eyebright, is great for human eyes. Named specifically after its use as common treatment for eye infections, eyebright is commonly taken to lessen the severity of cataracts, to ease conjunctivitis (aka pinkeye,) reduce eye inflammation due to seasonal allergies and cure eye infections.
Eyebright is normally used as a compress or taken orally as a tea or tablet. The juices from the root of the plant is extracted for the treatment of eye ailments and can be applied by either cold or hot compress.
Please note: Eyebright should only be used as eye drops if you have been given specific instructions from a physician.
Bilberry
What’s funny is that Bilberries look almost exactly like blueberries, but they are not. Bilberries are also a native to Europe and the British Isles. These little indigo fruit have been used for centuries to improve vision-related problems.
Bilberries are super powerful antioxidants! It helps restore circulation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and also oxygenates previously damaged areas of the body.
Fighter pilots used Bilberry during WWII and reported better night vision after eating Bilberry Jam. Bilberry extract is used to protect the eyes and help prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Goji berries
Goji berries are in the same family as eggplants and potatoes (deadly nightshades). They contain high levels of antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and beta-carotene. There are also two very important phytonutrients: lutein and zeaxanthin found in Goji berries.
Goji berries are incredibly rich in minerals. They actually give you 100{61feb7ed6994bee0083d854d60c502a256f7f0ba150d0209cd9ddbafe17bc79f} of your daily recommended iron intake with just 3 ounces.
All this means that these cute little berries are rich in ingredients that help prevent eye diseases such as age-related macular deneration and cataracts.
A large study done by the National Eye Institute showed that high levels of antioxidants, in combination with vitamins C and A, reduced the risk of developing eye disease by “25{61feb7ed6994bee0083d854d60c502a256f7f0ba150d0209cd9ddbafe17bc79f} over a six-year period.”
Animal and test tube studies demonstrate how Goji berry extracts protect the eyes and liver from free radicals. They even have the power to stop cancer cells from generating.
Camu camu
Camu camu is derived from a little tree that is native to the Amazon rain-forest in Brazil and Peru. This berry is dried and ground up into a powder. You can find it at your local health-food store.
One teaspoon of this miracle berry has 100 times your daily requirement of vitamin C. It’s also full of essential amino acids, tannins, and antioxidants.
In addition to helping your eyes, camu camu also improves mental health, memory, and cognitive abilities.
Vitamin C supports your nervous system and your eyes are a pretty big part of that. Essential amino acids are shown to reduce inflammation. This can help with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and inflammation of the middle eye.
Fish Oil
Studies show getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids can protect against “dry-eye syndrome” and age-related macular degeneration. One of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids is from fish oil, or DHA.
You can safely take up to 3000 mg of omega-3 per day, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Krill oil, a superior type of fish oil, is shown in studies to be 500 times more powerful than vitamin E and 5 times better than regular fish oil.
If you happen to be vegan or vegetarian, don’t fear! You can get your daily dose from either spirulina or chlorella! These different types of algae are not only powerful super-foods, but offer huge amounts of DHA which will keep your eyes healthy and bright for years to come.
MSM with Vitamin C
Studies:
Effect of Vinpocetine (Cognitol™) on Cognitive Performances of a Nigerian Population
Effect of Multiple Dietary Supplement Containing Lutein…
The Medical Research of Astaxanthin