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Bilberry Extract - Vitamins and Supplements
What Is Bilberry Extract?
Bilberry Extract is the dry extract of the European Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus: Myrtilli fructus). Bilberry is used to improve vascular health, and shows the most promise for use in supporting the health of the eye.
Who Should Consider Bilberry Extract?
Interestingly, this is an herbal medicine that is thousands of years into use as a folk remedy for loose stool (especially recommended for children)3,4, but it's most promising current application is for use in supporting the health of the eye. Its high levels of tannic acid, cinnamic acids, flavonols, anthocyanidins, and isoflavones make it highly beneficial to the eye.
Positive results have been noted in studies examining the effect of bilberry in pigmentary retinitis, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, retinal inflammation, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, cataract and night vision in normal subjects.2,3,8,11 The anthocyanidins in bilberry, which have the ability to protect and regenerate retinal purple (rhodopsin)3 are the primary agents responsible for its ability to help the eyes. At least one study we know of suggests additional benefits to the eye by adding vitamin E.2
The anthocyanidins in bilberry decrease vascular permeability.5,7,13,17 How this works is not quite understood yet, but it seems that bilberry anthocyanidins interact with blood vessel collagen in such a way as to slow down enzymatic attack of the blood vessel wall.17 This may prevent leakage of capillaries, decreasing ocular pressure and relieving painful edemas. Truly impressive in its vascular benefits, bilberry seems to work much like horsechestnut and ginkgo in its ability to relieve vascular insufficiency, and like grape seed in its affinity for the capillaries. These microcirculatory improvements have wide ranging health benefits, as one might expect: bilberry improves peripheral circulation and eye health at the same time.
How much Bilberry Extract should I use?
Bilberry extracts have been prescribed for over half a century in France for diabetic retinopathy.16 The extract used for treating the eye should be standardized to contain around 25% anthocyanosides. Supplement 80 - 160 mg/day.16
Listed in German Commission E Monographs for use as anti-diarrheal (20-60g/day of dried fruit or equivalent preparation.) No contraindications. As always, if diarrhea persists for more than 3 days, see a physician.
What is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is the progressive loss of vision due to oxidative stress to the macula - the area of the retina where most images are focused. The macula is the area responsible for focused sight or fine vision, and as such, degeneration in this area first manifests itself in the form of blurred or bent lines (otherwise known to be straight and crisp). It is highly prevalent in persons over the age of 55, with as many as 20,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It can, and does, lead to blindness. There are two types of macular degeneration - "wet" and "dry". In the wet form (more rare), the macula experiences excessive growth of new blood vessels - it is easily treated with lasers, but must be treated early. In the "dry"" form, by far the most common form, the macula suffers from an accumulation of lipofuscin, a pigment that builds up as a result of damaged retinal pigmented epithelium cells. These build-ups can be seen upon retinal examination and are known as "drusen".
Be sure to read about our Optim-Eyes™ Vision Support Formula that combines the value of Bilberry Extract with other important nutrients for the eye, including beta carotene, lutein, N-Acetyl-Cysteine, copper and zinc, and others.
Label Facts
Optim-Eyes High-Potency Vision Support Formula:
Supplement Facts Serving Size: 2 capsules Servings per container: 30
Supplement Facts Serving Size: 2 Capsules Servings per container: 30 or 60
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) extract 25%
20 mg (yield)
†
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) powder
250 mg
†
†Daily value not established.
Other ingredients: Cellulose (plant fiber).
References
Bertuglia S, Malandrino S, Colantuoni A. Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on ischaemia reperfusion injury in hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. Pharmacol Res. 1995 Mar-Apr;31(3-4):183-7.
G. Bravetti, "Preventive Medical Treatment of Senile Cataract with Vitamin E and Anthocyanosides: Clinical Evaluation," Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 115 (1989): 109.
Blumenthal, Mark; Busse, Werner R; Goldberg, Alicia; Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Hall, Tara; Riggins, Chance W.; Rister, Robert S., Eds, Klein, Sigrid, PhD; Rister, Robert S, Trans, Tyler, VarroE, PhD, ScD. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council, 1998.
Colantuoni A, Bertuglia S, Magistretti MJ, Donato L. Effects of Vaccinium Myrtillus anthocyanosides on arterial vasomotion. Arzneimittelforschung. 1991 Sep;41(9):905-9.
Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Brendler, Thomas, BA; Jaenicke, Christof, MD. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics Company, 1998.
Detre Z, Jellinek H, Miskulin M, Robert AM. Studies on vascular permeability in hypertension: action of anthocyanosides. Clin Physiol Biochem 1986;4(2):143-9.
Hodges LC, Kearse CE, Green K. Intraocular pressure-lowering activity of phenolic antioxidants in normotensive rabbits. Curr Eye Res. 1999 Sep;19(3):234-40.
Hollman PC, Katan MB. Bioavailability and health effects of dietary flavonols in man. Arch Toxicol Suppl. 1998;20:237-48. Review.
Hollman PC, Katan MB. Absorption, metabolism and health effects of dietary flavonoids in man. Biomed Pharmacother. 1997;51(8):305-10.
Jayle GE, Aubry M, Gavini H, Braccini G, De la Baume C. [Study concerning the action of anthocyanoside extracts of Vaccinium Myrtillus on night vision]. Ann Ocul (Paris). 1965 Jun;198(6):556-62. French.
Laplaud PM, Lelubre A, Chapman MJ. Antioxidant action of Vaccinium myrtillus extract on human low density lipoproteins in vitro: initial observations. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 1997;11(1):35-40.
Lietti A, Cristoni A, Picci M. Studies on Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides. I. Vasoprotective and antiinflammatory activity. Arzneimittelforschung. 1976;26(5):829-32.
Morazzoni P, Livio S, Scilingo A, Malandrino S. Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides pharmacokinetics in rats. Arzneimittelforschung. 1991 Feb;41(2):128-31.
Magistretti MJ, Conti M, Cristoni A. Antiulcer activity of an anthocyanidin from Vaccinium myrtillus. Arzneimittelforschung. 1988 May;38(5):686-90.
Pizzorno, Joseph, ND; Murray, Michael T, Eds. Textbook of Natural Medicine, second ed. Churchill Livingstone, 1999.
Robert AM, Godeau G, Moati F, Miskulin M. Action of anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillis on the permeability of the blood brain barrier. J Med. 1977;8(5):321-32.
Beatty, S., I. J. Murray, D. B. Henson, D. Carden, H. Koh and M. E. Boulton (2001). "Macular pigment and risk for age-related macular degeneration in subjects from a Northern European population." Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 42(2): 439-46.
Optim-Eyes™ References / Additional Resources
Bietti, G. B. (1967). "Further contributions on the value of osmotic substances as means to reduce intra-ocular pressure." Trans Ophthalmol Soc Aust 26: 61-71.
Corbe, C., J. P. Boissin and A. Siou (1988). "[Light vision and chorioretinal circulation. Study of the effect of procyanidolic oligomers (Endotelon)]." J Fr Ophtalmol 11(5): 453-60.
Fishbein, S. L. and S. Goodstein (1972). "The pressure lowering effect of ascorbic acid." Ann Ophthalmol 4(6): 487-91.
Head, K. A. (2001). "Natural therapies for ocular disorders, part two: cataracts and glaucoma." Altern Med Rev 6(2): 141-66.
Junghans, A., H. Sies and W. Stahl (2001). "Macular pigments lutein and zeaxanthin as blue light filters studied in liposomes." Arch Biochem Biophys 391(2): 160-4.
Kim, S. Y., J. S. Kwak, J. P. Shin and S. H. Lee (1998). "The protection of the retina from ischemic injury by the free radical scavenger EGb 761 and zinc in the cat retina." Ophthalmologica 212(4): 268-74.
Linner, E. (1969). "The pressure lowering effect of ascorbic acid in ocular hypertension." Acta Ophthalmol 47(3): 685-9.
Pauleikhoff, D., F. J. van Kuijk and A. C. Bird (2001). "[Macular pigment and age-related macular degeneration]." Ophthalmologe 98(6): 511-9.
Scharrer, A. and M. Ober (1981). "[Anthocyanosides in the treatment of retinopathies (author's transl)]." Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 178(5): 386-9.
Seddon, J. M., U. A. Ajani, R. D. Sperduto, R. Hiller, N. Blair, T. C. Burton, M. D. Farber, E. S. Gragoudas, J. Haller, D. T. Miller and et al. (1994). "Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group." Jama 272(18): 1413-20.
Shen, T. M. and M. C. Yu (1975). "Clinical evaluation of glycerin-sodium Ascorbate solution in lowering intraocular pressure." Chin Med J (Engl) 1(1): 64-8.
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials
(2001). "A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age- related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8." Arch Ophthalmol 119(10): 1417-36.
Lebuisson, D. A., L. Leroy and G. Rigal (1986). "[Treatment of senile macular degeneration with Ginkgo biloba extract. A preliminary double-blind drug vs. placebo study]." Presse Med 15(31): 1556-8.
Perossini, M. et al. 1987. Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy therapy with Vacciniuum myrtillus anthocyanosides (Tegens): Double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 113:1173.
Richer, S. (1996). "Multicenter ophthalmic and nutritional age-related macular degeneration study--part 2: antioxidant intervention and conclusions." J Am Optom Assoc 67(1): 30-49.
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