News

Lycium Barbarum - for Vision (Retina) | Longevity | Intestinal Health and Slows Aging!

Lycium Barbarum (LB), also known as wolfberry, has been shown to provide powerful anti-aging effects. Significantly, long term feeding of LB in lab animals have shown increased longevity, eye (retina) support, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), support liver health and boost of intestinal health and immunity.(1)

  INCREASING MEAN LIFESPAN

• Studies involving D. melanogaster (fruit fly), shown LB increases serum and organ levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione and catalase (CAT) antioxidant activity. SOD and CAT have been shown in research models to promote longevity. (2)
• Positively promotes anti-aging pathways (MAPK, TOR, S6K) and increases expression of longevity genes (2)

PRESERVING RETINA FUNCTION

• Retinal diseases have underlying high levels of oxidative stress. Photoreceptors and RPE (Retinal Pigment Endothelium) have very high metabolic activity and additional stress comes from photooxidative damage (due to light). Oxidative stress in the retina leads to increased amounts of lipofuscin - which is formed from oxidative by products and can trigger retinal damage and apoptosis. 
• LB has shown potential support for retinal diseases. While most studies have been in animal models, long term studies and human studies still need to be done. Retinal diseases which may benefit from LB include (3)
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - in early AMD LB has slowed progression and inhibited soft drusen formation.
• Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) - In animal studies, LB restored retinal thickness, reversed hyperglycemic oxidative stress, promoted reductions in retinal vascular changes seen in diabetic retinopathy. Reversed increased VEGF vascular growth factor - which increases vascularization in DR. Also enhanced protection of blood-retinal-brain barrier (which is disrupted by diabetes), causing macular edema. 
• Retinitis Pigmentosa - an inherited genetic disease of the retina. LB may improve visual processing by increasing antioxidant protection  of photoreceptors.
• LB significant increases antioxidation levels, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation (fatty acids are prevalent in photoreceptor membranes).
• LB is the richest source of natural Zeaxanthin. Contains very high bioavailable Zeaxanthin (demonstrated in animals and humans)

PROMOTES INTESTINE HEALTH / IMMUNE RESPONSE

• Strengthens the intestinal barrier, which is critical for maintaining a healthy functioning intestine.LB Promotes increased production of short chain fatty acids (which is anti-inflammatory)
• Promotes intestinal immunity (1)  Support general immune response through changes in gut microbiota  and increases in short chain fatty acids.(5)

PROTECTS LIVER 

• Attenuates liver cell damage from environmental contaminants (plastics), in addition to alcohol toxicity by increasing levels of Nrf2, a master regulator of cellular antioxidants in the cell. As a result,  Nrf2 triggers significant increases in cellular antioxidant activity and inhibiting apoptosis of the liver cells. Alcohol induced damage to the liver is a result of increased oxidative stress and destruction of the cells.(1,6,7)

VISION VITALITY  (Lycium Bararum)

REFERENCES:

(1) Ding Y, et al. Effects of long-term consumption of polysaccharides from the fruit of Lycium barbarum on host's health.  Food Res Int. 2021 Jan.

(2) Tang R, et al. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides extend the mean lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster.  Food Funct. 2019 Jul.

(3) Neelam K, et al. Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases. Nutrients. 2021 Jan.

(4) Ding Y, et al. Modulating effects of polysaccharides from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on the immune response and gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

(5) Ding Y, et al. Modulating effects of polysaccharides from the fruits of Lycium barbarum on the immune response and gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Food Funct. 2019 Jun.

(6) Liu R, et al. Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced toxicity in rat liver. Environ Sci Pollut Res Intl. 2021. Jan.

(7) Wang H, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of crude polysaccharide isolated from Lycium barbarum L. against alcohol-induced oxidative damage involves Nrf2 signaling. Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Oct..

Meso Zeaxanthin - Macular Degeneration Lipofuscin & The Aging Retina

RETINAL AGING. The component of the retina which is essential for maintaining visual function and photoreceptor survival  is the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE).(1)  The RPE provides the homeostasis of the retina, including phagocytosis, a process by which the shedding of the outer segments of photoreceptors is removed and properly disposed as waste products. It is critical that phagocytosis provide daily removal of the shedded segments to maintain vision.  Phagocytosis denote a highly active lysosomal activity in the RPE of the retina. Aging of retinal results in a degression of lysosomal activity and accumulation of waste material (Lipofuscin). (2) Furthermore, age related photooxidation of the cellular membrane of the retina further damages the RPE and retinal function.  

LIPOFUSCIN AND MACULAR DEGENERATION. Lipofuscin is generated through oxidative stress and a result of waste products. When the retina loses phagocytosis, there is photoreceptor degeneration.(1) Diminished phagocytosis results in increased lipofuscin accumulated in the RPE, which in turn negatively affects the RPE and photoreceptors. Lipofuscin levels also increase through oxidative stress in the retina. Accumulation of lipofuscin is an indicator of RPE atrophy and macular degeneration. As powerful antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce formation of lipofuscin. Zeaxanthin in particular can further help by supporting the phagocytosis removal of lipofuscin.(3,4)

The RPE contains the pigments melanin (in melanosomes) and lipofuscin. Melanin is an antioxidant pigment, whereas lipofucsin is the byproduct of waste material from photoreceptor removal and oxidative stress, which increases with dysfunction of phagocytosis. The accumulation of lipofuscin  reduces the protection of melanin and increases oxidative stress of the RPE.(2)  

While melanin is a powerful protector of the retina, aging affects the ability of melanin to protect the eye. Older melanosomes exposed to blue light, significantly inhibited phagocytosis - which accelerated degeneration of photoreceptors.. Therefore, the phototoxicity of melansomes increase with age. However, the antioxidant zeaxanthin has been shown to reduce the phototoxicity potential.(3)

ZEAXANTHIN HELPS PROTECTS AGAINST RETINAL DEGENERATION

(1) By reducing Phototoxicity / Photooxidation damage of retinal cellular membranes associated with aging.

(2) By supporting Phagocytosis.and the Maintenance of the RPE. 

Meso zeaxanthin is the most powerful version of zeaxanthin, and is found in the central macula.

 VISION VITALITY  (MESO ZEAXANTHIN)

REFERENCES:

(1) Valiente-Soriano F, et al. Tracing the retina to analyze the integrity and phagocytic capacity of the retinal pigment epithelium.Sci Rep. 2020.

(2) Bonilha V.. Age and disease-related structural changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. Clin. Ophthalmol. 2008 Jun

(3) Olchawa M, et al. The effect of aging and antioxidants on photoreactivity and phototoxicity of human melanosomes; an in vitro study. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res, 2020 Jul 23.

(4) Olchawa M, et al. Zeaxanthin and α-tocopherol reduce the inhibitory effects of photodynamic stress on phagocytosis by ARPE-19 cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2015 Dec.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation - Pathogenesis in Degeneration of the Retina

Neurodegenerative diseases of the retina are mostly attributable to oxidative stress and inflammation.(1)  Diseases of the retina target the retinal epithelial cells, and photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are the processing centers in the retina, and are the primary area of vision. The retina has the highest metabolic rate of any tissue in the body. Furthermore, the retina must endure oxidative stress from chronic exposure to light, which will damage the retina. In addition, retina degeneration is associated with inflammation. The result is that with age, the retina becomes damaged, and blindness is the end effect in older people.

AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. Degeneration of retinal cells (photoreceptor and retinal pigment epitheilium (RPE) cells) by oxidative stress and inflammation is responsible for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

• PHOTORECEPTORS - Are comprised of rods and cones.  Are under constant threat of oxidative threats, including excessive stress from light, high oxygen requirements, All of which make photo receptors susceptible to degradation and death of the photo receptors.

(1) Oxidative Stress - NrFT2. Cellular Transcription Factor for Endogenous Antioxidant Protective Factors

• CARNOSIC ACID

Carnosic Acid is an electrophilic antioxidant which crosses the blood brain barrier. Carnoisc acid is a potent activator of Nrf2, a transcription factor that causes the increased production of endogenous antioxidants. Additionally, carnoisc acid is unqiue in that it does not deplete endogenous levels of glutathionine, the key cellular antioxidant, unlike other antioxidants.(2) In a study of high intensity lighting on photooxidative damage of the retina, adding carnoisc acid to AREDS ingredients greatly increased protection of retina vs AREDS alone.(3)

• LYCIUM BARBARIM (WOLFBERRY)

Protects the eye and retina in multiple ways. First, lycium bararum protects the photreceptor cells from light-induced retina damage by activating Nrf2.(4)

2) Inflammation - NLRP3 inflammasome activation is involed in the pathogenesis of AMD.

• BLACK CURRANT / BILBERRY EXTRACT (C3G)

C3G is considered the most important anthocyanin in maintaining health of the retina. Recently, research indicates that cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) has potent anti-inflammation properties and may inhibit  inflammasome damage to retinal epithelium cells.(5) C3G further reduces oxidative stress of the retina, and light induced retinal degeneration,  by activating Nrf2 endogenous levels.(6)

VISION VITALITY (Carnosic Acid | Lycium Barbarum | C3G)

REFERENCES:
(1) Rohowetz RJ, et al, Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Damage of Retinal Neurons: Drug Development Targets for Therapies of Chronic Neurodegeneration of the Retina. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Oct

(2) Rezaie T, et al. Protective effect of carnosic acid, a pro-electrophilic compound, in models of oxidative stress and light-induced retinal degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Nov

(3) Wong P, et al, Enhancing the efficacy of AREDS antioxidants in light-induced retinal degeneration.  Mol Vis. 2017 Oct

(4)  Tang L, et al. Antioxidant effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on photoreceptor degeneration in the light-exposed mouse retina. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Jul

(5) Jin X, et al. Cyanidin-3-glucoside Alleviates 4-Hydroxyhexenal-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via JNK-c-Jun/AP-1 Pathway in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.  J Immunol Res. 2018

(6) Wang Y, et al. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and its phenolic acid metabolites attenuate visible light-induced retinal degeneration in vivo via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and NF-κB suppression.  Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Jul

Carnosic Acid - Protects Retina and Supports Healthy Cartilage

Carnosic acid, an extract from the herb Rosemary, is a powerful activator of cellular endogenous antioxidants, through involvement in increasing Nrf2 transcription.  Since carnosic acid crosses the blood-brain barrier, there is significant provisioning of protection of the brain and neural tissue.(1) In addition, the retina is primarily neural tissue, which benefits greatly from carnosic acid.

          RETINA - MITIGATING AGING EYE DETERIORATION

• Reduces Light Induced Damage - Continued light exposure created free  radicals in the retina, which are destructive to the photoreceptors. (1,2)
• Age-Related Macular degeneration (AMD) - Photoreceptors are also loss in AMD. Studies involving lab animals suggest that the addition of carnosic acid (rosemary extract) to other vision supplements, i.e. AREDS, may maximize effectiveness in reducing retinal damage. (3)
• Slows Photoreceptor Degeneration. In mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa, carnosic acid has been shown to slow the loss of photoreceptors.(4)
• Reduces Acyrlamide Toxicity - A toxic compound resulting from the heating of carbohydrates, and occurs in many everyday foods, including potato chips, and other heated foods.Acrylamide crosses the blood-brain barrier and is destructive to the  retina. (5,6)

           CARTILAGE - BENEFICIAL EFFECTS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

• Activates Heme-Oxygenase-1  (HO--1). HO-1 promotes reduction of inflammation in the cartilage, which is characteristic of cartilage degeneration.  As such, carnosic acid promotes preservation of cartilage and inhibition of the degenerative process. Researchers concluded that carnosic acid both prevents cartilage degeneration and the severity of osteoarthritis, as evidenced by animal models.(7)
• Chondrocytes, the cartilage producing cells, are negatively impacted by inflammation, and carnosic acid, improves the function and longevity of the chondrocytes. (8)
• Improves  Chondrocyte Gene Expression. Helps maintain the ability of the chondrocyte to produce cartilage.(8). 

 VISION VITALITY™    (with CARNOSIC ACID)

REFERENCES:

(1) Rezaie T, et al. Protective effect of carnosic acid, a pro-electrophilic compound, in models of oxidative stress and light-induced retinal degeneration. Invest, Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2012 Nov

(2) Contin MA, et al. Light pollution: the possible consequences of excessive illumination on retina. Eye (Lond). 2016 Feb

(3) Wong P, et al, Enhancing the efficacy of AREDS antioxidants in light-induced retinal degeneration. Mol Vis. 2017 Oct

(4) Kang K, et al. Carnosic acid slows photoreceptor degeneration in the Pde6b(rd10) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Sci Rep. 2016 Mar

(5) Albalawi A, et al. Protective effect of carnosic acid against acrylamide-induced toxicity in RPE cells. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Oct

(6) Albalawi A, et al. Carnosic acid attenuates acrylamide-induced retinal toxicity in zebrafish embryos. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Oct;

 (6) Ishitobi H, et al. Carnosic acid attenuates cartilage degeneration through induction of heme oxygenase-1 in human articular chondrocytes.

(7) Ravaili S, et al. Recently highlighted nutraceuticals for preventive management of osteoarthritis. World J Orthop. 2018 Nov

(8) Schwager J, et al.  Carnosol and Related Substances Modulate Chemokine and Cytokine Production in Macrophages and Chondrocytes. Molecules. 2016 Apr

Prevention of Lipid Oxidative Damage and Anti-Inflammation - Lutein Zeaxanthin Mesozeaxanthin

Protective macular pigments consist of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso zeaxanthin which act as powerful lipid antioxidants as well as functioning as an anti-inflammatory in the retina. In both the retina and the brain, these pigments are readily absorbed into the cellular membranes and orient themselves perpendicular in the membrane which acts to stabilize the cellular membrane.(1) The cellular membrane is made from unsaturated fats, which are very susceptible to free radical induced oxidative damage by high energy short wave light (such as blue light). As a potent lipid antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin and meso zeaxanthin signifcantly boost protection of the cellular membrane, and thereby protecting cells of the retina cells and neurons in the brain.(2)

• All three xanthophylls function as potent lipid anti-oxidants and demonstrate anti-inflammation in both the retina and brain.
• Offers protective effect of lipid cellular membrane of retina and neuron cells.
• Offers potential protective role in diabetic retinopathy.(3)
• Serum levels of macular xanthophylls are significantly lower in diabetic retinopathy subjects.(4)
• Meso zeaxanthin increases antioxidant protection in retina be enhancing density of macular pigment.
• Meso zeaxanthin has been shown to be the strongest xanthophyll antioxidant.
• Meso zeaxanthin is required to obtain maximum antioxidant effect in the retina.(6)
• Meso zeaxanthin is also radioprotective. In research conducted with laboratory animals, meso zeaxanthin was shown to reduce radiation induced-damage in mice, including reduction in DNA damage. (7)

VISION VITALITY MAX  (Lutein | Zeaxanthin | Mesozeaxanthin)

REFERENCES:

(1) Subczynski WK, et al.  Location of macular xanthophylls in the most vulnerable regions of photoreceptor outer-segment membranes. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2010 Dec

(2) Widomska J, et al. Can Xanthophyll-Membrane Interactions Explain Their Selective Presence in the Retina and Brain? Foods. 2016 Mar.

(3) Neelam K, et al. Putative protective role of lutein and zeaxanthin in diabetic retinopathy. Br J Opthalmol. 2017 May

(4) Gong X, et al. Role of macular xanthophylls in prevention of common neovascular retinopathies: retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2015 Apr.

(5) Orhan C, et al. Mesozeaxanthin Protects Retina from Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model.  J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Nov.

(6) Binxing Li, et al. Studies on the Singlet Oxygen Scavenging Mechanism of Human Macular Pigment.Arch Biochem Biophys, 2010 Dec.

(7) Firdous AP, et al. Amelioration of radiation-induced damages in mice by carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin. Int J Radiat Biol. 2013 Mar