"
Unless man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge. Remedies from chemicals will never stand in favor compared with the products of nature, the living cell of the plant, the final result of the rays of the sun, the mother of all life.
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- Thomas A. Edison
Good vision and eye health is a concern for both young and old.
Blurred vision, eye strain and irritations are just a few of the complaints
that have been reported in eye fatigue and in some serious cases, cataracts and
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops because of degenerative cellular health and accumulated free
radical damage in our life time.
To date the known antioxidants have been defined rather ambiguously, and yet there are thousands more beeing isolated - and more being discovered constantly. Antioxidant research is one of the pillars in the study of life extension and general health. Some antioxidants have merited greater scientific interest than others; for exampler, R(+)-lipoic acid and full-spectrum Vitamin E, among others. Not only have these antioxidants served us well (and will continue to do so), they belong to an elite category distinguishing them from other antioxidants due to their unique properties, mechanisms of action, central importance and/or exceptional potency.
So why does some of the antioxidants in Bio-Algae Concentrates merit admittance into this exclusive category? In the context of eye health, there are only three certain carotenoids that are known to transverse the blood retinal barrier (BRB); lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin. And Bio-Algae Concentrates contains these three and many more known beneficial carotenoids and many not yet identified.
While lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids may help reduce the risk of age-related macular disease in the elderly, astaxanthin has been shown to additionally help the ciliary body in the eye. These are tiny muscles which control the lens of the eye from harmful oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is found in abundance in marine environments, particularly among algae, planktons, while the pink and red colour of salmon, shrimp and lobster is attributable to the astaxanthin-rich diets of these animals. The algae Heomatoccocus pluvialis as contained in Bio-Algae Concentrates is contains the highest level of astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is a member of the xanthophyll subcategory of carotenoids - organic pigments that occur mainly in plants. Astaxanthin has a unique molecular structure: its polar end groups have the distinct ability to attach themselves to both sides of the lipid bilayer that contains the cell membrane.
From this entrenched position, astaxanthin inhibits the lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane (which is the ‘gatekeeper of the cell’ –controlling what comes in and out), by extension protecting the mitochondria and the rest of the cell from potentially damaging peroxidation. Astaxanthin can also quench free radicals by adding them to its structure rather than sacrificing an atom or electron, meaning that unlike most antioxidants, astaxanthin is far less likely to become a mild free radical in its own right after quenching one. This also allows astaxanthin to be more biologically active, enabling it to trap and quench more free radicals - and of a greater variety - than most other antioxidants.
Astaxanthin’s fat-solubility and low molecular weight (less than 600 daltons) allows it to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier to alleviate oxidative stress in the eyes, brain and central nervous system. Particular focus has been paid to astaxanthin’s effect on ocular health, with several Japanese studies examining its ability to alleviate the symptoms of asthenopia (eye fatigue). This increasingly common condition is often caused by overexposure to visual display terminals (VDT’s), and the aforementioned human studies revealed that astaxanthin can alleviate asthenopia symptoms by more then 50%.
Eye coordination for high performance sports
Many scientists believe the mechanism of action for these benefits is based on the increased ciliary body accommodation, increased retinal blood flow, and anti-inflammatory properties associated with astaxanthin supplementation. The ciliary body is composed primarily of an ocular muscle that stretches across the vitrous humour between the lens and the pupil. Accomodation refers to the ability of the ciliary body to manipulate the thickness of the lens in order to focus light on the retina. If the eye is required to focus on a fixed object for extended periods of time, muscle spasms and other signs of fatigue may occur. Factors such as the speed at which the ciliary body reacts to a change in visual focus are used to evaluate improvements (if any) in the accommodation response.
Two studies conducted in 2005 determined that the speed of the ciliary body’s reactions in the astaxanthin group were approximately 46% faster than those in the placebo group. This means that those taking astaxanthin were able to spot moving objects that much faster than those who were not. Furthermore, another placebo-controlled study determined that astaxanthin can increase retinal blood flow by approximately 11% (nourishing ciliary muscles) while yet another study (with laboratory rats) found that astaxanthin can reduce ciliary cell inflammation by nearly 80%.
In another separate double blind randomized placebo controlled
study, 20 year old men specialized in hand-ball, received an oral dose of 6mg
astaxanthin per day during a period of 4 weeks. In sports vision, depth
perception and critical flicker, a fusion of 46%, respectively 5% was reported.
Based on these preliminary studies it is shown that astaxanthin may be effective
for improving vision in sports.
In ending, let me remind us all that BAC is much more then just antioxidants. I have personally more faith in "BAC awakens the genius within" then in its antioxidative powers. I believe that when our cells recover from exhaustion, that they can perform their metabolic activity better; growth, repair, detoxification and regeneration.
TESTIMONIALS
My vision is improving very much
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I have found for myself that I am getting so much more done now than ever before... forget those help-yourself manuals! Just get yourself on the right track and watch out! My vision is improving very much and I just realized that my astigmatism is not so noticeable, wow.
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- Jacqueline Chapman, Bozeman, ID - July 2007
The pressure (glaucoma) in my right eye has dropped from 16 to 11
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Dear Roland, I am now on my fourth bottle of the bio-Algae and still taking nine capsules a day, as you advised.
The eye doctor checked the pressure for the glaucoma yesterday. I was most curious to see if there would be any difference since taking the BAC. The pressure in my right eye (which they have been unable to bring down for years) has dropped from 16 to 11. The left eye is even a bit lower!!
Even more strange: I noticed that the vision in my left eye had improved.....I have a few blind spots from the glaucoma, and when I read the chart it find that every third letter in a line is a total blur. This time I was able to read many more letters.
I am really happy about it and now feel justified in spending that much every month!
Thank you again so much for all your help and advice.
Sincerely
"
- Gail Gallagher, June 2007
Eyesight
"Thought you would like to know that I have had a pretty favorable eye check up. Especially compared to declining eyesight. This time only a little of the retina damage was seen by the optometrist, this morning. Very good news for me. Was also thinking about my cat. He seems to have less breathing problems. He has been taking two capsules to my twelve. Hope that this reaches you in the greatest wealth, good health! "
- Franklin & B.B. - June 2007.
Glaucoma
"After observing the success my wife was having using BAC for
her fibromyalgia
I decided to try BAC for my energy and general declining health.
I also suffered from
Glaucoma experiencing intense pressure and pain.
Now after two months of using BAC,
my Glaucoma pressure has declined radically, my doctor
wants to talk with you folks about BAC for his other patients.
I feel better overall with my health
and have lots more energy like my wife"
- Bud Woody (male 58), Denver, Colorado - August 2002.
Publications:
Nagaki Y., et al., 2005. The
Effect of Astaxanthin on Retinal Capillary Blood Flow in Normal Volunteers.
Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines 21(5):537-542 (In
Japanese).
Takahashi N., & Masayoshi, K., 2005. Effects of
Astaxanthin on Accommodative Recovery. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics &
Medicines 21(4):431-436 (In Japanese)
Miki W., Biological functions and activities of animal carotenoids. Pure and Appl. Chem. 1991; 63:141-6. Shimizu N, et al. Carotenoids as singlet oxygen quenchers in marine organisms. Fisheries Sci. 1996; 62:134-7.
Babish JG. Composition Exhibiting Synergistic Antioxidant Activity. US Patent Applied 2000.
Babish JG. Compositions Containing Carotenoids and Tocotrienols and having Synergistic Antioxidant Effect. US Patent Applied 2000.
Nagaki Y, et al. (2002) Effects of Astaxanthin on accommodation, critical flicker fusions, and pattern evoked potential in visual display terminal workers. J. Trad. Med., 19(5): 170-173.
Naito T, et al. (2004) Prevention of diabetic nephropathy by treatment with astaxanthin in diabetic db/db mice. Biofactors 20: 49-59.
Uchiyama K, et al. (2002) Astaxanthin protects cells against glucose toxicity in diabetic db/db mice. Redox Report 7(5): 290-292.
Kupcinskas L, et al. Efficacy of the antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori gastritis: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Eur. J. Gastroint and Hepat. (In Press).
Lignell et al. (1999). 12th International Carotenoid Symposium, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The safety, tolerability and efficacy of the antioxidant Astaxanthin in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Malmsten C. (1998) Dietary supplementation with astaxanthin rich algae meal improves muscle endurance – a double blind study on male students. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (Unpublished).
Nitta T, et al., 2005. Effects of
Astaxanthin on Accommodation and Asthenopia – Dose finding Study in Healthy
Volunteers. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines 21(5):543-556 (In
Japanese).
Shiratori K, et al., 2005. Effects of Astaxanthin on
Accommodation and Asthenopia – Efficacy-Identification Study in Healthy
Volunteers -. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines 21(6):637-650 (In
Japanese).
Nakamura A, et al., 2004. Changes in Visual Function following
Peroral Astaxanthin. Rinsho Ganka (Jpn J Clin Ophthalmol) 58(6) : 1051-1054 (In
Japanese).
Sawaki K., et al., 2002. Sports Performance Benefits from
Taking Natural Astaxanthin Characterized by Visual Acuity and Muscle Fatigue
Improvements in Humans. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines
18(9):73-88 (In Japanese).
Nagaki Y., et al., 2002. Effects of
astaxanthin on accommodation, critical flicker fusion, and pattern visual evoked
potential in visual display terminal workers. Journal of Traditional Medicines
19(5):170-173 (In Japanese).
