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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..