Bilberry: One Special BerryAbstract: Bilberry has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to aid health. During WWII, the link between bilberries and eye health was identified in relation to improving night vision. The recent successes of modern science and medicine are beginning to uncover the precise mechanisms of bilberry on eye health. It seems that bilberry maintains the integrity of blood vessels supplying the eye, maintaining and improving eye health. PM EyeTonic contains an extract of bilberry that has been proven in clinical trials. Keywords: EyeTonic, bilberry, anthocyanosides, eye health, glaucoma, cataracts, eye fatigue
Before modern medicine, our ancestors relied on traditional remedies from culturally recognised medicinal plants to aid in health. Bilberries very closely resemble, and are related to, blueberries. First reported in Germany in the twelfth century, bilberry has now been used in European medicine for centuries. Originally, strong decoctions of bilberry were used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Renaissance physicians also treated various other ailments with bilberries, even though the more precise mechanisms of bilberry eluded them. The true pharmacological importance of bilberry was later discovered by chance. Pilots of the British Royal Air Force during WWII noted that their vision improved after consuming bilberry jam. It was reported that the pilots could see better during flights at night, and it became popular amongst the group for enhancing night vision. These days, bilberry extract is used in supplements for more accurate and consistent results. The biologically active components within bilberries are flavonoids called anthocyanosides. Research on these active substances has already, and is continuing to, uncover many health benefits, in particular their very versatile favourable effects on enhancing and maintaining vision. Today’s rapidly evolving world is becoming increasingly more reliant on computers and other visual aids which places further stress on our eyes. This rather unnatural activity commonly causes eye fatigue and eye strain, and can even cause headaches reducing your level of concentration. Bilberry has been shown to help reduce these symptoms from occurring after excessive use of computer terminals. Children are being exposed at young ages to intense computer use, together with having to focus on other sources of reading. Eliminating eye fatigue and other visual disturbances during learning would also be invaluable for children. The World Health Organisation estimates that around 75% of eye conditions causing impaired vision and blindness are avoidable. The major risk factors for developing eye conditions are aging, poor nutrition, stress, diabetes and high blood pressure. Bilberries contain powerful antioxidants that help reduce inflammatory damage to the eyes by oxygen free radicals, associated with stress and aging. The small blood vessels that supply the eye with nutrients can also cause complications when they become “leaky”. By maintaining the integrity of these bloods vessels, bilberry can help protect against various other visual disturbances such as glaucoma. Further to this effect, bilberry stabilises other structures within the eye such as connective tissue, which upholds the proper functioning of other components within our eyes. For this reason, bilberry can help reduce the visually debilitating occurrence of commonly occurring cataracts. Moreover, damaging eye conditions can result from diabetes, a condition becoming more prevalent in society. Bilberries have shown positive results in diabetic patients. Following extensive research, we have discovered the best source of bilberry. PM EyeTonic incorporates bilberry extract standardised to contain 36% anthocyanosides (equivalent to 25% anthocyanidins). Based in Italy, Indena provides the only source of standardised bilberry extract whose pharmacological, pharmacokinetics and clinical activities have been the subject of scientific research/investigation. While PM EyeTonic is a convenient source of bilberry concentrate, it also contains other nutrients essential for good eye health including fish oil - in particular tuna oil, the best source of omega-3 fatty acids including DHA and EPA - and vitamins A, B1 (thiamine) and B2 (riboflavin). Supplied in easy to take capsules, PM EyeTonic is a product of PharmaMetics, Australia. It is manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, and is listed with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), one of the strictest health authorities in the world. PM EyeTonic is manufactured using the finest raw materials. You can be sure of the ingredients, the amount, and their quality. While you cannot be sure of what is contained in other products, you can be sure with PM EyeTonic. The testing and analysis of PM EyeTonic is performed by independent TGA accredited Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratories to ensure that the raw materials and finished products are of the highest quality, without contaminants and impurities. Maintaining eye health is important in avoiding irreversible reductions in vision, and should begin in early childhood. The beneficial effects of bilberries on eye health are potent and wide ranging, and are becoming increasingly realised with the support of scientific literature. PM EyeTonic is an excellent way to help maintain healthy eyes. Fusi, L, Czimeg, F, Pesche, F, Germolgi, F, Boero, A, Vanzetti, M, Gandiglio, G, (1990). Procyanidolic oligomers effects in patients working at a display unit. Ann Ottal Clin Ocul, Volume 116, pp575-84.
|
You need Flash Player 8 and a browser with javascript enabled to view this.
 |