bilberry for improved night vision

The ability to see in poor light depends on the presence of a substance in the eye called rhodopsin, or visual purple. It is destroyed by bright light but rapidly regenerates in the dark. However, for some people, the adaptation to darkness or the recovery from glare takes an unusually long time. The herb bilberry, a close relative of the American blueberry, is the most commonly mentioned natural treatment for impaired night vision. The active components of bilberry, called anthocyanosides, are powerful antioxidants, which help repair tissue and strengthen blood vessels. Studies have shown that bilberry may prevent cataracts and help treat age-related macular degeneration and the eye damage that occurs in some people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Anthocyanosides also enhance the function of a compound in the eye that is responsible for night vision. British World War II pilots reported improved night vision after eating bilberries. Bilberry (400 mg) is one of the ingredients of Eye Combo from Nepatica. The other ingredients are Ginkgo biloba (100 mg), Grape seed (100 mg), Tomato (100 mg) and Lutein (5 mg). Read more!

facts about the eye and vision and some useful herbs

The eyes are complex sensory organs. They are designed to optimize vision under conditions of varying light. Their location, on the outside of the face, makes them susceptible to trauma, environmental chemicals and particles, and infectious agents. The eyelids are the major protective mechanism for the eye.Studies has shown that the early detection and treatment of eye disease, before it causes major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease. According to the National Eye Institute, at least half of all cases of blindness can be prevented. Near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism are common eye problems. When we get older many of us face more serious eye problems. Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the world, affects nearly 20.5 million Americans; 2.2 million have been diagnosed with glaucoma, and another 2 million are unaware they have it; and more than 1.6 million Americans over 60 have advanced macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness and visual impairment in Americans over 60. It is very important to take good care of our eyes. Some useful herbs in order to help the eyes are:

Bilberry.Bilberry protects the eye and improves vision. The herb contains Vitamins A and C, which gives antioxidant protection which can help prevent free radical damage to the eyes. Vitamin A is required for sharp vision, while Vitamin C helps form collagen and is needed for growth and repair of tissue cells and blood vessels. Bilberry has long been a remedy for poor vision and "night blindness." Clinical tests confirm that given orally it improves visual accuracy in healthy people, and can help those with eye diseases such as, retinitis, glaucoma, and myopia Bilberry works by improving the microcirculation and regeneration of retinal purple, a substance required for good eyesight. The substance that gives bilberries its pharmacological activity is its anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and stabilize all tissues containing collagen, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Ginkgo Biloba. Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species and its leaves are among the most widely studied botanicals in use today. Ginkgo leaves contains two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant properties. The flavonoids found in Ginkgo are useful against some retinal problems (problems to the back part of the eye). Retinal damage has various potential causes, including diabetes and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration) is a progressive, degenerative eye disease that normally affects older adults and is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. Studies suggest that gingko may help preserve vision in those with ARMD. The antioxidant in Ginkgo also protects cell membranes and venous integrity, improving their flexibility as well as resistance to free-radical damage. Ginkgo also benefits the eyes by allowing more blood and oxygen to be delivered to the head.
Grape Seed Extract.Grape seed extract is an extract from grape seeds. The antioxidant properties of grape seed extract helps to slow down the aging process. Procyanidins, a group of compounds found in the extract increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants, especially vitamin C and vitamin E, by helping them regenerate after neutralizing free radicals in the blood and tissue. Since Grape seed extract have an impact on even the tiniest blood vessels, it benefits circulation in the eye. It is very useful in the combat against macular degeneration and cataracts, two of the most common causes of blindness in older people. Grape Seed extract is also helpful for persons who spend a lot of time in front a computer because it can reduce eyestrain connected to computer monitor work and improve contrast vision.
Tomato.Lycopene is one of a family of pigments called carotenoids, which occur naturally in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes. In one study, lycopene and a wide range of dietary carotenoids were detected in high concentrations in ciliary body and retinal pigment epithelium, which leads researchers to believe that lycopene and other carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin, may play a role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other blinding disorders. In addition to their center-stage phytonutrient, lycopene, tomatoes are filled with traditional nutrients that have been shown in many studies to be helpful for all various health conditions. For example, tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, the latter notably through its concentration of carotenoids including beta-carotene. These antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing dangerous free radicals that could otherwise damage cells and cell membranes, escalating inflammation and the progression or severity of atherosclerosis, diabetic complications, asthma, and colon cancer. In fact, high intakes of these antioxidants have been shown to help reduce the risk or severity of all of these illnesses. naturally present in whole tomatoes.
Lutein.Lutein is a carotenoid (a natural colorant or pigment) found in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, plus various fruits and corn. Lutein provides nutritional support to our eyes and skin the only organs of the body directly exposed to the outside environment. There is very good evidence that the lutein in food helps protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, two common, age-related eye disorders. The pigment lutein (from the Latin lutea, meaning "yellow") is one of over 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein may play a role in slowing the age-related degeneration of these tissues, both directly as an antioxidant, and indirectly by absorbing blue light. Lutein and its related compound zeaxanthin are highly concentrated in the macula, providing a yellow color known as the macular pigment (MP).The macular pigment protects the macula from the damaging photo-oxidative effects of blue light. Of the about 600 carotenoids present in nature, only a few are present in human serum. Of those, only lutein and zeaxanthin are present in the macula. These facts indicate that lutein plays an important role in eye health. Various studies indicate that a direct relationship exists between lutein intake and pigmentation in the eye, and studies show that lutein may reduce blue light intensity by up to 90%.

These herbs Bilberry (400 mg), Ginkgo biloba (100 mg), Grape seed (100 mg), Tomato (100 mg) and Lutein (5 mg). together forms Eye Combo. Read more!

bilberry and eye health

Bilberry also known as European blueberry, Huckleberry, Whortleberry, Burren Myrtle and with the scientific name Vaccinium myrtillus has been used for hundreds of years as food and for their high nutritive value. It has also been used as a folk medicinal treatment for disorders of the urinary system, including urinary infections and kidney stones, and for diarrhea and dysentery. Bilberry is different from the American blueberry because the meat is dark purple, whereas the American version has cream color. In Europe, bilberries are part of the conventional medical treatment of different eye disorders, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, night blindness and diabetic retinopathy. The substance that gives bilberries its pharmacological activity is its anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and stabilize all tissues containing collagen, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. In two controlled studies, bilberry improved visual acuity at night, and it also shortened the time the eyes needed to adapt to dark lighting conditions and recover from glare all important if you want to drive safely in the dark.

the eye

The eyes are complex sensory organs. They are designed to optimize vision under conditions of varying light. Their location, on the outside of the face, makes them susceptible to trauma, environmental chemicals and particles, and infectious agents. The eyelids are the major protective mechanism for the eye. The eye consists of the eyeball, the upper and lower eyelids, and the conjunctivas. The eyeball consists of a clear, transparent dome at the front (the cornea) that is surrounded by the white of the eyeball (the sclera). The iris of the eye is the circular, colored portion within the eyeball and behind the cornea, and the pupil is the central opening within the iris. Behind the iris and pupil is the eye's lens. The inner sides of the eyelids which touch the eyeball are covered by a thin membrane (the palpebral conjunctiva) that produces mucus to lubricate the eye. This thin membrane folds back on itself and covers the visible sclera of the eyeball. (This continuation of the palpebral conjunctiva is called the bulbar conjunctiva.) The tissue between the skin of the eyelid and the palpebral conjunctiva is filled with glands that secrete sebum, an oily substance that provides additional lubrication for the eye. Tears are formed by the lacrimal gland in the upper, outer corner of the eye and are collected and drained by the lacrimal sac in the inner, lower corner of the eye. Natural oil for the tears is produced by tiny glands located at the edges of the eyelids.
Evidence-based medicine suggests that certain nutrients, specifically antioxidants and lutein, play a significant role in eye health. The landmark Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which was a National Eye Institute and National Institute for Health funded study, discovered that there was a significant decrease in the progression of vision loss in patients with macular degeneration taking antioxidants supplements. Eye Combo from Nepatica is full of antioxidants, the powerful ingredients are 400 mg of Bilberry together with 100 mg Ginkgo Biloba, 100mg Grape Seed Extract, 100 mg tomato and 5 mg Lutein.

nepatica bilberry pie

Delicious Bilberry Pie.

Ingredients

2 cups bilberries (blueberries)
0.5 cup sugar
2 tablespoons potato starch
1 cup wheat flour
0.5 cup butter
vanilla extract
2 teaspoons sugar
0.5 cup hazelnuts

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Mix bilberries, 0.5 cup sugar and potato starch and put it in a baking tin.

Mix flour, butter, vanilla extract and sugar. Put the mixture on top of the bilberries. Add sliced hazelnuts and some extra sugar. Bake in the bottom of the oven for about 25 minutes.

free radicals

A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that contains at least one unpaired electron. Electrons are negatively charged particles that usually occur in pairs, forming a chemically stable arrangement. If an electron is unpaired, another atom or molecule can easily bond with it, causing a chemical reaction. Because they join so easily with other compounds, free radicals can effect dramatic changes in the body, and they can cause a lot of oxidative damage. Each free radical may exist for only a tiny proportion of a second, but the damage it leaves behind can be irreversible, mainly damage to heart muscle cells, nerve cells, and certain immune system sensor cells.

We need free radicals to produce energy and different substances that the body requires. If there is excessive free radical formation, however, damage to cells and tissues may occur. Many different factors can lead to an overload of free radicals. Exposure to radiation, from the sun as well as from medical x-rays activates the formation of free radicals. Exposure to environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke and car pollutants also activates the formation of free radicals. Certain food such as fats cooked in a high temperature is also a risk factor.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by binding to their free electrons. By destroying free radicals, antioxidants help to detoxify and protect the body. Powerful antioxidants are Bilberry, Ginkgo biloba, Grape Seed extract, Tomato and Lutein, these are all included in our Eye Combo.

antioxidants

Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect the body from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or group of atoms that can cause damage to cells, impairing the immune system and leading to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants therefore play a beneficial role in the prevention of disease. Even though many antioxidants can be obtained from food sources such as sprouted grains and fresh fruit and vegetables, it is difficult to get enough of them from these sources to hold back the free radicals constantly being generated in our polluted environment. We can minimize free radical damage by taking supplements of important antioxidants. A high intake of antioxidants is especially protective against cancer.

Antioxidants works synergistically in giving protection against free radical damage, so it is better to take smaller doses of several different antioxidants than a large amount of only one. Eye Combo is an excellent source of the antioxidants Bilberry, Ginkgo Biloba, Grape Seed Extract, Tomato and Lutein.

vaccinium myrtillus

Bilberry is a tiny and fantastic berry. The herb bilberry (scientific name Vaccinium myrtillus) is a European relative of the American blueberry and is loaded with antioxidants that keep capillary walls strong and flexible. Bilberry protects the eye and improves vision. The herb contains Vitamins A and C, which gives antioxidant protection which can help prevent free radical damage to the eyes. Vitamin A is required for sharp vision, while Vitamin C helps form collagen and is needed for growth and repair of tissue cells and blood vessels.

Bilberry has long been a remedy for poor vision and "night blindness." Clinical tests confirm that given orally it improves visual accuracy in healthy people, and can help those with eye diseases such as, retinitis, glaucoma, and myopia Bilberry works by improving the microcirculation and regeneration of retinal purple, a substance required for good eyesight.

As we can see Bilberry is extremely useful for our eyes. Therefore we have created “Eye Combo”. Eye Combo contains 400 mg of Bilberry together with 100 mg Ginkgo Biloba, 100mg Grape Seed Extract, 100 mg tomato and 5 mg Lutein.