Can bilberry improve vision. Bilberry Extract for Vision: What the Research Says. Bilberry is a relative of the cranberry, huckleberry, and American blueberry. Bilberry extract is a top-selling herbal supplement, but does it really improve vision?

What Is a Bilberry?

The bilberry, a relative of the cranberry, huckleberry, and American blueberry, is a plant with bright green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that grows wild, primarily in northern Europe. The bilberry looks very much like a blueberry, but its flesh is darker — somewhere between deep purple and crimson — and its flavor is tarter, says Steve Foster, a plant photographer who has written or co-written 17 field and reference guides on medicinal plants and herbs.

The depth of color of the bilberry’s flesh is caused by anthocyanosides — also found in dark berries to varying degrees. The fruit also has antimicrobial tannins, which are found in purple grapes and dark teas. In the 18th century, German doctors prescribed the bilberry for intestinal conditions, among other things. In the 20th century (1987), Commission E, the German panel of experts that assesses the safety and effectiveness of herbs, approved the use of bilberry extract for diarrhea and inflammation of the mouth or throat.

What Is Bilberry Extract?

Because fresh bilberries are nearly impossible to come by in the U.S., consumers gobble up bilberry extract, one of the top-selling herbal supplements in the U.S., with sales of $28 million in 2010. The standardized amount of anthocyanosides contained in bilberry extract is 25%. In a bilberry itself, anthocyanidin content ranges from 300 mg to 700 mg per 100 grams of fruit (3.5 ounces), depending on the region where they are picked.

In recent studies of the extract’s effects on health, the most compelling evidence is its reduction of retinal inflammation — although studies have been small and mostly conducted in lab animals. However, research has not turned up conclusive evidence about bilberry extract’s effect on blood glucose levels, or heart or gut health.

Can Bilberry Improve Vision?

The legend goes like this: British Royal Air Force pilots, after eating bilberry jam for tea, bombed the enemy during WWII with devastating accuracy, their night vision heightened by the powers of the inky blue fruit. That story has never been confirmed — and research hasn’t turned up conclusive evidence of bilberry’s ability to help you see in the dark.

Evangeline Lausier, MD, clinical director of Duke Integrative Medicine, part of Duke University Health System in Durham, N. C., says, “We’ve got this really sexy story, that it’s good for night vision, but there’s no evidence. But because of the anthocyanosides in the fruit, there are probably effects that make it part of a good diet.”

Is Bilberry Extract Safe to Take?

Bilberries are safe to eat and to take in extract form, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, a compendium of information on herbs and their medicinal properties. But because anthocyanosides prevent blood platelets from sticking together, bilberry extract may interfere with anticoagulant drugs like warfarin, says David Kiefer, MD, a research fellow in the department of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Foster cautions against buying cheap bilberry extract, which could contain chemicals like dyes. And he advises staying away from bilberry extract that is light in color, as that’s a tip-off that the content of anthocyanosides may be low. “It’s important to buy from trusted sources,” Foster says.

Where Can I Find Bilberries?

Bilberries are not easy to find in North America, says Foster. However, blueberries, which are a close relative, can be found more easily and may provide some of the same health benefits as bilberries.

Does Bilberry Extract Have Other Health Benefits?

David Kiefer, MD, says it makes sense that bilberries have a reputation for helping conditions ranging from retinopathy (abnormal or damaged blood vessels in the retina) to diarrhea to heart disease. “A lot of these [conditions] have an inflammatory component, so some herbs treat a variety of things,” he says. “There’s oxidative damage in so many illnesses. Whether in eye vessels or leg vessels, we can get a positive effect.”

Kiefer says patients with macular degeneration — the deterioration of the central part of the retina that can eventually cause blindness — have reported that they use bilberry extract, with mild benefit, “but it’s hard to sort out the anecdotal report from the placebo effect.”

Bilberry Extract for Vision: What the Research Says

The legend goes like this: British Royal Air Force pilots, after eating bilberry jam for tea, bombed the enemy during WWII with devastating accuracy, their night vision heightened by the powers of the inky blue fruit.

That story has never been confirmed — and research hasn’t turned up conclusive evidence of bilberry’s ability to help you see in the dark.

Still, the dainty blue berry (Vaccinium myrtillus) continues to be an object of affection among scientists for its abundance of anthocyanosides, chemical compounds that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

And consumers still flock to bilberry extract, an enduring top-seller among herbal supplements, for its purported benefits to eye health.

“We’ve got this really sexy story, that it’s good for night vision, but there’s no evidence,” says Evangeline Lausier, MD, clinical director of Duke Integrative Medicine, part of Duke University Health System in Durham, N. C. But because of the anthocyanosides in the fruit, “there are probably effects that make it part of a good diet.”

WebMD went hunting for the truth — or lack thereof — behind the claims for bilberry’s healthfulness. Here’s what we learned:

What Is a Bilberry?

The bilberry, a relative of the cranberry, huckleberry, and American blueberry, is a plant with bright green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that grows wild, primarily in northern Europe.

The bilberry looks very much like a blueberry, but its flesh is darker — somewhere between deep purple and crimson — and its flavor is tarter, says Steve Foster, a plant photographer who has written or co-written 17field and reference guides on medicinal plants and herbs, most recently National Geographic’s Guide to Medicinal Herbs.

The depth of color of the bilberry’s flesh is caused by those anthocyanosides — also found in dark berries to varying degrees. The fruit also has antimicrobial tannins, which are found in purple grapes and dark teas.

In the 18th century, German doctors prescribed the bilberry for intestinal conditions, among other things. In the 20th century (1987), Commission E, the German panel of experts that assesses the safety and effectiveness of herbs, approved the use of bilberry extract for diarrhea and inflammation of the mouth or throat.

David Kiefer, MD, a research fellow in the department of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, says it makes sense that bilberries have a reputation for helping conditions ranging from retinopathy (abnormal or damaged blood vessels in the retina) to diarrhea to heart disease.

“A lot of these [conditions] have an inflammatory component, so some herbs treat a variety of things,” he says. “There’s oxidative damage in so many illnesses. Whether in eye vessels or leg vessels, we can get a positive effect.”

Kiefer says patients with macular degeneration — the deterioration of the central part of the retina that can eventually cause blindness — have reported that they use bilberry extract, with mild benefit, “but it’s hard to sort out the anecdotal report from the placebo effect. ”

What Is Bilberry Extract?

Because fresh bilberries are nearly impossible to come by in the U.S., consumers gobble up bilberry extract, one of the top-selling herbal supplements in the U.S., with sales of $28 million in 2010.

The standardized amount of anthocyanosides contained in bilberry extract is 25%. In a bilberry itself, anthocyanidin content ranges from 300 mg to 700 mg per 100 grams of fruit (3.5 ounces), depending on the region where they are picked.

In recent studies of the extract’s effects on health, the most compelling evidence is its reduction of retinal inflammation — although studies have been small and mostly conducted in lab animals.

However, research has not turned up conclusive evidence about bilberry extract’s effect on blood glucose levels, or heart or gut health.

Is Bilberry Extract Safe to Take?

Bilberries are safe to eat and to take in extract form, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, a compendium of information on herbs and their medicinal properties.

But because anthocyanosides prevent blood platelets from sticking together, bilberry extract may interfere with anticoagulant drugs like warfarin, Kiefer says. “I would use it with caution, due to some of those reports,” he says.

There is also a question of quality. Foster cautions against buying cheap bilberry extract, which could contain chemicals like dyes. And he advises staying away from bilberry extract that is light in color. That’s a tip-off that the content of anthocyanosides may be low.

“It’s important to buy from trusted sources,” Foster says.

Where Can I Find Bilberries?

Don’t put on your dungarees and grab a pail. Bilberries are not easy to find in North America, says Foster. However, it’s possible to find bilberry jam, which Foster spreads on his morning toast.

In general, Lausier advises consumers to stick with blueberries or other dark berries if they’re looking for a natural source of antioxidants. They scavenge for free radicals, substances that damage healthy cells, she says, and as a low-glycemic index fruit, they’re absorbed slowly, making blueberries a fine snack for people with or without diabetes.

“It’s one of those things we have no trouble recommending in a diet. They’re tasty, they’re available, and most people like blueberries,” she says.

Kiefer agrees. “There are a lot of us focusing on what’s local,” he says. “Are there blueberries or blackberries in your backyard? Go for it.”

Is it true that bilberries are good for the eyes? | Office for Science and Society

It seemed that the bilberries improved the pilots’ night vision and made them more successful in dogfights. Or so the story goes… But – “Fake News!” because there is no documented evidence that the pilots actually ate bilberry jam. Some accounts suggest that the rumour was spread by the military to distract the Germans from the fact that the British were testing radar equipment on their planes. In some versions of the story, it were carrots that was the cause of the pilots success.

While the dietary habits of the World War II pilots are debatable, the supposed benefits of bilberries for the eyes did arouse researchers’ interest. That’s because these berries have a folkloric history for treating ailments that range from circulatory problems to diarrhea and ulcers. And there is some rationale for possible benefits since bilberries are rich in anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the blue colour and have antioxidant properties, which work by neutralizing free radicals that generate as a byproduct of normal metabolism and are suspected to play a role in various diseases as well as in aging.

Bilberries grow in Europe but are close relatives of the North American blueberry and the two have similar anthocyanin content. Some cultivars of blueberries have a greater antioxidant effect than bilberries but this has no practical significance. For both berries the highest concentration of anthocyanins is in the skin.

Two research groups, one at the Naval Aerospace Research Laboratory in Florida and the other at Tel Aviv University decided to see if there was any real science behind the anecdotal reports of the British pilots’ boosting their visual acuity with bilberry jam. In both cases young men were given either a placebo, or extracts that contained up to 40 mg anthocyanins, an amount that could be reasonably consumed from berries in the diet. Various tests to measure night visual acuity were administered, and in both cases the conclusion was that no improvement in night vision was seen.

Blueberry and bilberry extracts are also promoted as dietary supplements to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, the irreversible condition that occurs when the macula, the central portion of the retina, deteriorates. The retina is the tissue at the back of the eye that detects light. In theory, based on laboratory experiments, antioxidants can afford protection. When retinal cells are exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidant, they suffer less damage when bathed in a blueberry anthocyanin extract. That, however, is light years from concluding that dietary anthocyanin supplements can help with macular degeneration. No clinical trials have looked at the effects of anthocyanin supplements on macular degeration so that right now there is no basis for recommending berry extracts for any eye problem. But there is consensus that incorporating berries into the diet is a good thing to do.

@JoeSchwarcz

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Bilberry | PeaceHealth

1. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Health and Healing. Roseville, CA: Prima Health, 2000, 47-54.

2. Sala D, Rolando M, Rossi PL, et al. Effect of anthocyanosides on visual performance at low illumination. Minerva Oftalmol 1979;21:283-5.

3. Jayle GE, Aubry M, Gavini H, et al. Study concerning the action of anthocyanoside extracts of Vaccinium myrtillus on night vision. Ann Ocul 1965;198:556-62 [in French].

4. Belleoud L, Leluan D, Boyer YS. Study on the effects of anthocyanin glycosides on the nocturnal vision of air controllers. Rev Med Aeronaut Spatiale 1966;18:3-7.

5. Zadok D, Levy Y, Glovinsky Y. The effect of anthocyanosides in a multiple oral dose on night vision. Eye 1999;13:734-6.

6. Muth ER, Laurent JM, Jasper P. The effect of bilberry nutritional supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Altern Med Rev 2000;5:164-73.

7. Bravetti G. Preventive medical treatment of senile cataract with vitamin E and anthocyanosides: Clinical evaluation. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 1989;115:109 [in Italian].

8. Perossini M, Guidi G, Chiellini S, Siravo D. Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy therapy with Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides (Tegens®): Double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 1987;12:1173-90 [in Italian].

9. Scharrer A, Ober M. Anthocyanosides in the treatment of retinopathies. Klin Monatsblatt Augenheilk 1981;178:386–9.

10. Salvayre R, Braquet P, Perruchot T, DousteBlazy L. Comparison of the scavenger effect of bilberry anthocyanosides with various flavonoids. Proceed Intl Bioflavonoids Symposium, Munich, 1981, 437-42.

11. Boniface R, Miskulin M, Robert AM. Pharmacological properties of myrtillus anthocyanosides: Correlation with results of treatment of diabetic microangiopathy. In Flavonoids and Bioflavonoids, L Farkas, M Gabors, FL Kallay, eds. Ireland: Elsevier, 1985, 293-301.

12. Francesca Rasetti M, Caruso D, Galli G, et al. Extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves and Vaccinium myrtillus L. fruits prevent photo induced oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Phytomedicine 1997;3:335-8.

13. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Health and Healing. Roseville, CA: Prima Health, 2000, 47-54.

Bilberry – Benefits for Vision

The world of health loves its superfoods. Turmeric, kale, matcha, pomegranate… all of these foods are abundant in antioxidants and nutrients that have been proven to be beneficial to human health. But what’s an under-appreciated superstar that doesn’t get as much attention? Bilberry.

What is it?

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a small bush with small, dark blue and purple berries. It is closely linked to blueberries, native to Europe. Also known as whortleberry, huckleberry, or European blueberries, they are a popular snack fruit in Europe. People typically gather the berries from wild plants, as they are almost impossible to grow and harvest. Bilberries are often consumed fresh or made into preserves, juices or pies. Bilberries are also available in the form of powder, juice or supplement.

Bilberry is also often used by the mouth to treat eye problems such as retinal defects, cataracts, short-sightedness, and glaucoma. There is some evidence that bilberry can help with retinal disorders. In fact, bilberry was once widely used to enhance night vision. During World War II, British pilots in the Royal Air Force consumed bilberry jam to enhance their night vision, but later tests found that it actually didn’t help.

Science

Bilberries, rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins and polyphenols, have been used for medical purposes, ranging from eye disorders to diabetes. It contains chemicals called tannins that can help relieve diarrhea and inflammation of the mouth and throat by reducing swelling. There is some evidence that chemicals found in bilberry leaves can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Some researchers suggest that chemicals called flavonoids in bilberry leaf can also boost circulation in people with diabetes.

Bilberries are also thought to reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, gingivitis, and age-related cognitive decline. Bilberry is also used as a treatment for eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Bilberry has shown promise in the treatment of eye fatigue, according to a small study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. In studies carried out on 281 people using video display terminals, researchers have determined that treatment with bilberry extract will help improve both objective and subjective measures of eye fatigue.

Preliminary studies indicate that bilberry extract may have a potential role to play in the treatment of retinal disorders and other eye conditions. In animal research, for example, bilberry was found to protect retinal cells from degeneration.

Benefits for Vision

Bilberry can promote eye protection and assist in the circulation of the eye. Bilberries, in particular, have been found to enhance the vision of glaucoma patients, as well as to prove capable of minimizing eye pressure.

Bilberry anthocyanin extract improved vision in a clinical study of over 300 people with glaucoma. Two related extracts (standardized to 36% of anthocyanins) increased blood retinal flow and decreased eye pressure in more than 350 healthy people in four trials. These studies show that bilberry can both boost and prevent glaucoma. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

More jobs require people to stare at computer screens all day, while phone use also takes the majority of the time. This is correlated with two conditions: eye and dry eyes. In both cases, decreased tear production impairs vision. Standardized Bilberry extracts improved tear production in 3 clinical trials in more than 100 people with these conditions. [6, 7, 8]

Bilberry extract also enhanced focus adjustment and night vision in a clinical study of 30 adults with near vision. Bilberry anthocyanin (Difrarel) has delayed the development of this disease in a clinical trial of 32 children and a study in Guinea pigs [9, 10, 11].

It decreases inflammation of the eye and nerves of the eye due to free radicals, UV radiation and prolonged exposure to light. This suggests that bilberry can prevent blindness and cataracts from occurring [12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18].

To sum up, evidence supports conventional arguments that bilberry enhances eyesight. Supplementing is a smart idea if you want to take better care of your eyes, whether you’re at risk for glaucoma or a lot of computer use.

Bilberry Side Effects

When consumed by mouth, the dried, ripe fruit of bilberry is likely safe for most people when eaten in typical amounts of food. Bilberry fruit extracts are also safe when taken by mouth for medicinal purposes for up to one year.

While bilberry fruit is generally considered safe when eaten in quantities usually found in food, allergic reactions can occur.

Bilberries naturally contains compounds known as tannins (found in many foods such as coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, cranberries, chocolate, and some nuts and beans). If you have an allergy or reaction to tannin-containing foods, avoid bilberry.

Bilberries (or Bilberry Extract) can interact with diabetes drugs or blood thinners, so it is highly recommended to consult your doctor. In addition, there is a shortage of studies to show protection for pregnant women and children.

Takeaway

Bilberries are antioxidant-packed relatives of blueberry in North America. They are the richest source of anthocyanins: vibrant plant pigments that can shield you from free radicals.

Clinical trials have verified the benefits of these berries for eyesight, particularly if you are looking to protect your eyes from regular computer use or glaucoma. Be cautious with bilberries, however, if you have food intolerances. These berries contain certain anti-nutrients that can cause symptoms in sensitive people.

Clearer vision with bilberry extract

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3 Reasons They Are A Superfood For Your Vision

Bilberry belongs to the blueberry family. It is commonly used in jams and other additives. Just like the other berries, bilberries possess many properties that benefit our health. The use of bilberry for eyes has many benefits. Let’s find out why bilberry is an excellent food for healthy eyes.

Rich In Antioxidants

Bilberry is rich in natural chemicals called anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides are pigments in plants that are powerful antioxidants. Studies have been conducted to find out the benefits of bilberry for eyes. It was found that anthocyanosides in bilberry have positive effects on vision, in low lighting conditions. These antioxidants prevent cells from getting damaged and also repair damaged cells.

During World War 2, it was reported that British fighter pilots used bilberry for eyes. They took it in the form of jams or tea to improve their night-time vision. The extracts of bilberry also protect eyes from against macular degeneration and cataracts.

Prevent Cell Damage In The Retina

Another research was conducted to study the effects of cell damage in the retina after exposure to blue light-emitting diodes (blue LEDs. ). It was found that using bilberry for eyes protected the retinal cells from damage due to exposure to light. If these cells are damaged, it becomes difficult to distinguish between different colors and shapes.

Useful For Several Eye Problems

Using bilberry for eyes helps in treating a variety of vision-related problems, including:

• For the treatment of glaucoma, standard extracts of bilberry are used for its antioxidant properties and vision support. The extracts also help in improving blood flow in the vessels, especially to the blood vessels in the eyes.
• Using bilberry for eyes helps in preventing and treating myopia or near-sightedness.
• As seen above, bilberry’s antioxidant properties help in improving blood flow to the vessels in the eyes. This reduces eye strain and improves nerve function near the eyes.
• It also helps in preventing diabetic radiotherapy. In this condition, new blood vessels may grow in the retina. A gel-like fluid could fill the back of the eyes and could also leak into them, causing cloudy vision.

Bilberry Extract for Eyes – What You Need To Know — Nature’s Farm

They say that healthy eyes are the windows to the soul. It is a fact that a good pair of eyes and a proper sight can prevent you from needing to wear glasses or submit to unnecessary eye strain. Thus, consuming the right nutrition plays an essential role in preventive eye-sight care.

What is the right supplement to consume for beating all your eye-condition woes? Here comes the amazingly awesome bilberry extract to the rescue. Ever since its inception, bilberry extract has been an enduring top-seller among herbal supplements. Millions of consumers flock to buy it regularly due to its purported benefits to eye health.

Rich in vitamin C and phenolic acids, bilberry extract has a good source of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a powerful form of flavonoid antioxidant that is responsible for most of these berries’ health benefits.

Studies have shown that bilberry extract has a positive extract on a variety of health challenges due based on its testimonial credibility.

What is bilberry extract?

Bilberry extract originated from the bilberry plant that is native to northern Europe. Bilberry looks similar to a blueberry even though both slightly differ from one another. The former has many health benefits due to the multipurpose use of its dried, ripe fruit and leaves that are used to make medicine. Bilberry extract was used for many health conditions such as poor blood circulation, diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and many other conditions. However, most importantly it was used mainly to treat eye conditions such as disorders of the retina, cataracts, nearsightedness, and glaucoma.     

Bilberry vs Blueberry

Although both of them belong to the same family, however, both bilberry and blueberry are two separate entities.

Bilberry or scientifically known as Vaccinium Myrtillus came from a small bush with small, dark blue/purple berries. It is also aptly known as the European blueberry or whortleberry. A native to forests and mountains of northern and central Europe, this plant also grows wild in North America.

In contrast, blueberries or scientifically known as Vaccinium Corymbosum are a group of widely cultivated bushes native to North America. Their fruits are similar to bilberries but grow in clusters and have pale greenish flesh with a flared crown at the end.

Is Bilberry better than lutein?

For starters, lutein is a type of vitamin also known as carotenoid as it is related to beta carotene and vitamin A. It is usually taken orally to prevent eye diseases such as vision loss in older adults and cataracts.  

However, bilberry protects the body against free radical damage. It also provides dietary support for enhanced blood circulation and eye-health. One potentially valuable property that bilberry has an advantage in contrast to lutein is its ability as a vasodilator. An increased vasodilator is good for your eyesight.

How does bilberry improve vision?

Bilberry is used for the treatment of eye fatigue. According to studies by the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, researchers have determined that treatment with bilberry extract on 281 people may help improve both objective and subjective measures of eye fatigue.

Generally, bilberry is used to improve eyesight such as night vision. Bilberry is also used as a glaucoma functional medicine mainly to treat age-related macular, and promote vision. According to some scientific links, bilberry may help with retinal disorders.

Does bilberry help macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a form of eye disease that happens when the small central portion of your retina, called the macula, wears down. It gets worse over time as a person ages. Due to that, it is the leading cause of severe permanent vision loss in people over 60. 

Studies based on human trials conducted in Europe show that bilberry is proven to prevent cataract,  and may even help to treat people with mild retinopathies – including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy due to its highly potent content of Anthocyanosides.

Can bilberry reverse cataracts?

Bilberry aka Vaccinium Myrtillus when taken in 80mg, 2 to 3 times daily is effective in reducing the risk of cataracts. Furthermore, it can also help to lower blood sugar. However, people who are taking diabetes medications should ask their doctor before consuming bilberry.

Other than that, bilberry is often touted as a remedy for eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Does bilberry help glaucoma?

Since bilberries are rich in vitamins, they can carry a high amount of antioxidants that some say can help reverse the oxidative stress that underlies glaucoma. However, critics may argue that bilberry may improve night vision and recovery time from glare, although there is no evidence that it is effective in the treatment or prevention of glaucoma.

How long does bilberry take to work?

Studies have shown that taking 100-480mg of bilberry anthocyanins daily for up to 6 months might improve swelling, pain, bruising, and burning related with CVI. Other than that, this includes problems with the retina of the eye in people with diabetes or high blood pressure.

What are the side effects of bilberry extract?

Even though bilberry may be beneficial for your health, there are some common side effects to it. This includes wasting syndrome, weight loss, muscle loss, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite.

What is the best bilberry extract?

The best bilberry extract dosage can come in a varied of forms:

• Supplement form – The berries and leaves of the plant are concentrated in supplement form so that the health benefits are magnified considerably, with the added benefit of not having to consume all the sugar contained in the raw fruit.

• Bilberry dry leaf tea – The benefits of the bilberry can be infused as a tea. You can prepare the tea by steeping 1 gram, 1-2 teaspoons, finely chopped dried leaf in 150 ml boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes then strain it. However, do not use it for a long term period.

• Bilberry fresh fruit forms – Bilberry can be eaten in the fresh fruit form since it is a nutrient-rich food. After buying a packet of fresh bilberry from the market, just wash it clean with water and you are ready to eat it on its own.

• Bilberry juice – Bilberry juice can be drunk and taken in its concentrated form. Simply add two tablespoons of the bilberry concentrate into a glass of water, stir it thoroughly and enjoy the rich and delicious taste.

• Bilberry smoothie – Bilberry smoothies are a great, healthy breakfast or afternoon snack as it not only satiates your hunger but is enriched with a multitude of health-boosting vitamins as well.    

• Capsule form – These come in capsule form where the powder or jelly of the bilberry extract is enclosed in a dissolvable plastic container. 

• Tablet form – Tablet form is bilberry compressed powder in solid form.  

• Powdered form – Bilberry extract powder is one the easiest way to get your daily intake of vitamin C. It is ideal for a variety of applications including dietary supplements and functional foods.

Where to buy the best bilberry supplement?

You can get your health-boosting dose of bilberry supplement, the NATURE’S FARM® MIRTOGENOL®. Created by its team of brilliant “in-house” scientists, the star seller is its patented vegetarian supplement that is specially infused with both  Pycnogenol (pine bark extract) and Mirtoselect (bilberry extract). Backing up its credibility, it is supported by two powerful ingredients – Mirtogenol to help improve your eye health.

Conclusion

Just like an apple, consuming a handful of bilberry per day may help keep the doctor away. But one also has to be careful of cheap manufacturers creating counterfeit bilberry supplements. Not only are they breaching the law, but they are also detrimental towards one’s health when taken.

For that, always check that you are buying your bilberry supplements from the right credible source. If you have doubts, do research online or ask your trusty pharmacist at your local pharmacy for more information. This is because both of these two sources are your best bet at the end of the day.

References:

BestHealthMag. 2020. Bilberry extracts improves eye conditions and circulation[online] Available at: https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/eye-health/bilberry-extract-improves-eye-conditions-and-circulation/ [6th July 2020]

Sepalika. 2020. 3 reasons why bilberry is a friend of your eyes[online] Available at: https://www.sepalika.com/eyesight/bilberry-for-eyes/ [6th July 2020]

EMedicineHealth. 2020. Bilberry Health LIving A To Z List [online] Available at: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/bilberry/vitamins-supplements.html [6th July 2020]

How Bilberry Improves Eyesight – Nature’s Wellness Market

Our eyes are more than the windows to our souls, they are vital to everything we do from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep. With that being said, our eyes are under constant assault from environmental pollutants, free radicals, and all the hours we spend on viewing computer screens, iPads, and iPhones. The results of our daily living conditions can manifest into eye fatigue, weakening eyesight, and poor night vision. Rather than continuing to buy eyeglasses or contacts with ever changing lenses, there are all natural health supplements that can help to maintain normal eyesight and improve your eyesight.

The Basics of Bilberries

For centuries, bilberry is one of those health supplements that has proven itself to be beneficial for eye care. Historically, Europeans have used both the berries and the leaves of the bilberry plant as a treatment for a variety of health care problems such as poor circulation, varicose veins, and eye care wellness. In addition to being a tasty plant that is frequently used in jellies, jams, and tea, the bilberry is a beneficial natural medicinal plant. Bilberries are primarily grown in Europe, America, and Asia. Here in America, it is not unusual that bilberries are often called blueberries because of their similar size and deep blue color.

Healing your Body

What makes the bilberry so powerful is the plant pigments that naturally possess antioxidant properties. These properties are what contribute to eye care health, support normal blood glucose levels, and internally defend against free radicals that contribute to cataracts. As an aid against inflammation, a bilberry supplement serves to reduce the eye pressure that contributes to glaucoma, and its antioxidant properties support better circulation to the eye retinas. Bilberries are able to raise the levels of pigments in the retinas while increasing the amount of oxygen and blood delivered to the eyes. This means that due to an improved capillary network, a person’s eye health benefits from the opening of blood vessels so that there is reduced blood pressure on the eyes. As an excellent source of Vitamin C, the Bilberry is also considered to be an immune boosting agent.

Not Just for the Eyes

The American Herbal Products Association has labeled the bilberry as a safely consumable Class-A herb, Latin name Vaccinium Myrtillus. The bilberry is also considered a valuable adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs made from select plants that are then used as natural therapy supplements, both in teas and capsules, to help the body regulate physical and emotional stress, to help with chronic and degenerative illnesses, and to support healthy aging.

In addition to the bilberry’s reputation for helping with a number of eye ailments and disorders, this nutritional fruit has shown itself as a valuable aid for the urinary tract, the respiratory system, and the control of blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. This is very important for people with diabetic retinopathy. So, the bottom line is that while people are taking bilberry supplements to improve their eyesight, they are also gaining additional benefits in other major internal systems.

90,000 Truth and myths about the benefits of blueberries, the dangers of glasses and reading in the subway – Health

Myth: blueberries and carrots treat eye diseases

Vitamin A is really useful for the eyes – it helps the body produce the retinal pigment rhodopsin, which helps to capture even the weakest light and is responsible for night vision. But carrots do not contain pure vitamin A, but beta-carotene – it is to this substance that the vegetable owes its bright orange color. Beta-carotene is a provitamin A, that is, a substance from which the body independently builds up vitamin A.In order to replenish the daily intake of vitamin A, a person needs to eat several kilograms of carrots, in addition, it has a not very pleasant side effect: the skin and whites of the eyes can turn yellow from carrot juice. Therefore, as a cure for eye diseases, carrots are ineffective. Much more vitamin A is found in animal fats: cod liver, oily fish, salmon caviar, butter, hard cheeses and egg yolk.

Blueberries contain lutein and zeaxanthin, special pigments that protect plants from excess sunlight.In the body, these substances are concentrated in the central part of the retina – the macula, absorb the harmful blue part of the spectrum that enters the eye with light, and thus protect the retina from excessive ultraviolet radiation. However, as in the case of carrots, it is impossible to get the amount of these substances necessary for the body from the berries.

In order for blueberries to have a healing effect on the eyes, they must be eaten in buckets. The daily requirement for lutein is about five milligrams, this amount is contained in about three kilograms of berries

Yulia Chekhonina

Candidate of Medical Sciences, nutritionist

Doctors note that both fresh vegetables and berries are undoubtedly beneficial for health, but for the prevention of eye diseases it is much more effective in this case to take vitamins containing lutein and vitamin A.

Myth: glasses impair vision

Some followers of alternative medicine claim that glasses impair vision, since the eye stops training in them and the eye muscles degrade.

This is actually not the case. The human eye is like a camera. The eye muscles are constantly contracting and reshaping the lens, allowing light to hit the retina precisely and form a clear image of objects both in the distance and in front of you. With myopia and hyperopia, the focus shifts: in the first case, it is formed in front of the retina, in the second – behind it.The lenses of the glasses help bring focus back to the retina and see well.

Correctly selected glasses do not cure eye diseases and do not provoke them, but only help to see clearly, without distortion. But the rejection of glasses leads to the fact that the eyes are constantly tense, dry out, and as a result, vision really deteriorates A.I.Burzanyan FMBA of Russia

Glasses can only be damaged if the lenses are incorrectly selected and the distance between them is incorrectly calculated. That is why doctors advise to carefully select glasses together with a specialist.

Myth: reading and working at the computer leads to myopia

Sitting at the computer can harm your eyesight if the screen is not bright enough, if there is little light in the room, and if the distance between your eyes and the screen is small. When all the rules are observed, prolonged “communication” with the computer monitor does not impair vision. In order for the eyes not to get tired, you need to take a break for a few minutes every hour and provide sufficient humidity in the room: from the dry conditioned air, the eye shell dries up, causing redness and discomfort.

On this topic

Work that requires long concentration, such as embroidery, jewelry or watchmaking, can be an additional risk factor for the development of myopia, but the main cause of vision changes is heredity and age. Over the years, the human lens becomes less elastic, cannot change its shape and correctly focus the image on the retina.

If both parents have myopia, then their child with a probability of more than 50% will develop the same disease, and at a young age.

Another reason that can affect the quality of vision is the size of the eyeballs.

“It’s like a physique – there are people who are slender, there are large, there are tall, there are small stature,” explains the ophthalmologist Yuri Gusev. there are more of them, others have short, small ones, and they have a small distance. At a young age, these features often do not affect how we see, but after 40-50 years, long eyes see better up close, and short ones – into the distance. ” …

Truth: people with poor eyesight cannot jump with a parachute and donate blood

Extreme is contraindicated for those who have serious eye problems, including people with severe myopia.

“Such patients should avoid those sports that are associated with blows, falls, jumps, shock loading,” says Svetlana Kapkova, ophthalmologist, doctor of the highest category of the A. I.Burzanyan Scientific Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia. heavy loads can cause detachment of the retina in the eye, that is, the separation of the retina, which essentially acts as a photosensitive film of the camera in the eye, from the choroid.And this threatens with severe visual impairment or even blindness. “

On this topic

In Russia, you cannot donate blood if the potential donor’s vision is below minus 6, and even after laser correction this taboo is not removed. The reason is the risk of retinal detachment.

Truth: gymnastics is good for the eyes

“It is necessary to do gymnastics for the eyes as often as to wash,” explains the therapist Elena Tikhomirova.

A person’s eyes can rest only when they look into the distance, at least five meters in front of them. When we constantly look close, the eye muscles are overstrained

Elena Tikhomirova

General practitioner

Exercises for the eyes should be done in the morning and in the evening, and if possible, then it is possible during the day. They are very simple: frequent light blinking (“butterfly”), drawing with the eyes of an imaginary figure eight, dial, geometric shapes, diagonals.

A special exercise – palming helps to relieve eye strain: to perform it, you need to close your eyes with your palms so that there are no cracks between them, open and close your eyes several times in the dark and “draw” with your eyes a square, a circle, a dial, alternating with frequent blinking.

If the office has windows, then it is better to sit not far from them and try to look into the distance at least once every half hour for a couple of minutes – this exercise also helps to relax the eyes.

Truth: reading in the subway and in the car is harmful

In order to keep your eyes from getting tired while reading, the book or tablet should be held in front of you exactly so that the distance to both eyes is the same. It is impossible to do this in a swinging carriage or in a car, the eyes have to constantly adjust to the changing distance, and the tension of the oculomotor muscles causes discomfort and even a headache. By the way, the same happens if you read lying down: this type of reading is safe only if the person holds the book parallel to his eyes. And if the book “slides” then down, then up, then sideways, the eyes are very strained, which can eventually lead to a drop in vision.

Karina Saltykova

90,000 What are the benefits of blueberries and what harm they can do to health

28 June 2019, Friday, 08:15
12045

2019-06-28T08: 15: 00 + 03: 00
Lifestyle
2021-08-15T06: 11: 02 + 03: 00

Ukrainian News

Ukrainian News

Doctors explain the effect of blueberries on vision: where is the myth, and where is the truth

Blueberry. Photo: pixabay

Blueberries, the prices of which have already dropped, are rich in many vitamins. Very often, blueberries can be seen on the packaging of various medicines and dietary supplements. But it’s not entirely true that blueberries can completely improve your vision.

It has long been believed that blueberries improve twilight vision. According to some reports, British Air Force pilots who participated in night flights during World War II specially received and ate blueberry jam.However, a 2000 US Navy study found no effect of blueberries on twilight vision. Laboratory studies have shown that eating blueberries can prevent or treat eye conditions such as detachment of the retina, but there have been no clinical studies on the use of blueberries for treating eye conditions.

Bilberry has limited therapeutic properties. Basically, the beneficial effect is associated with improved blood flow to the retina.Many people mistakenly believe that blueberries improve their eyesight “in general,” and this is often used in dishonest advertising.

Blueberries are unable to make the blind see again, nor can they cure diseases such as hyperopia, astigmatism and myopia. She can only stop the process of deteriorating vision. It should be used solely for prophylactic purposes, optikaplus.ua

reports.

Useful properties of blueberries

Dark blue blueberries contain significant amounts of anthocyanin dye.Its use in experiments has shown a reduction in the risks of many diseases of the heart, circulatory system, eyes and cancer.

In addition to anthocyanin, blueberries contain protoanthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins, which act as antioxidants to reduce inflammation.

There are few fruit acids in blueberries. But they contain a lot of A and B vitamins, manganese, fiber and flavonoids. Berries are a good source of vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.

Blueberries are used for food and for the preparation of liqueurs, jelly, jams, pies.But nutritionists advise you to eat fresh blueberries or freeze them. The calorie content of blueberries per 100 grams is 44 kcal.

Harm of blueberries

Blueberries can provoke allergic reactions, so you need to carefully give them to children. Blueberries should not be abused by people with urolithiasis. Also, when consumed in large quantities, blueberries can cause constipation.

Let us remind you that earlier Suprun talked about the benefits of mulberries, cherries and cherries.

The season of Ukrainian blueberries and blueberries has begun: how much are berries.

Meanwhile, the strawberry season is in full swing: how to choose the right one.

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90,000 whether it helps to improve vision, what is good for the eyes, tablets and vitamins with plant extract

The eyes are the main organ through which a person receives most of the visual information. But over time, vision can deteriorate. It is quite difficult to restore it today, so it is better to constantly monitor it and maintain eye health. For such purposes, natural products are increasingly used, which are distinguished by a large number of various useful substances. Blueberries are among those plants that have a positive effect on eye health.

Features

Blueberry is a berry that grows only in the northern hemisphere of our planet.You can find it only in coniferous forests, where there is a sufficient amount of moisture. For a long time, many people have used this berry to restore or support vision.

Many are at a loss as to whether it is a myth that blueberries are a healing remedy for the restoration of vision, or a reality. Today, its benefits are scientifically proven fact, confirmed by many tests.

Blueberry contains a versatile complex of useful substances that helps with various diseases. This berry contains several unique components:

1. tannins – in some types of berries their percentage can reach 12%.
2. organic acids – up to 7%.
3. vitamins of various groups.
4. general acids such as malic, oxalic, etc.

Blueberries contain so-called plant insulin, which is needed not only for the eyes, but also for other human organs.The plant has unique properties, since not only berries, but also leaves are eaten. They, in turn, are rich in various micro and macro elements. Some components of blueberries are unique antioxidants that prevent the development of various diseases, including heart and cancer.

Useful properties

Restoration of vision is a complex and lengthy procedure that requires a thorough analysis of the state of the whole organism.To exclude such a phenomenon, many experts recommend that you engage in the prevention of eye diseases. This is not at all difficult to do, since you just need to replenish the body with the necessary substances.

In its composition, blueberries contain the necessary components that contribute to the improvement of vision. The berries of this plant have many useful properties:

• Blueberries are a unique prophylactic agent .It is recommended to use it for retinal tissue detachment, as well as for impaired blood circulation in it. The benefit of the product is also that its components significantly improve blood circulation in the eyeballs. This, in turn, allows you to deliver more oxygen and various useful components to them.
• Particular attention should be paid to anthocyanins, which are the main components that can influence the state of light-sensitive cells. Thanks to such structures, the eye produces the right amount of rhodopsin pigment, which affects the ability of the retina to distinguish between different colors and shades.Anthocyanins also improve blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots inside the vessels. This has a good effect on the functioning of the eyes, and also helps prevent diseases such as stroke or heart attack.

• Blueberries improve the body’s defense mechanisms . The components of the product increase the strength of the retinal vessels, which become more elastic. This is facilitated by the presence of vitamins A, group B, C and PP, as well as flavonoids and other similar products.
• The fruits of this plant are recommended for use in the presence of astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, myopathy and other similar diseases. Blueberries help the body to heal itself, which is not always possible with the help of medications. It should be understood that the product will not be beneficial when the eyes are affected by organic diseases, including cataracts, etc. To exclude the development of conjunctivitis, you should eat the fruits every day and at least 2 tbsp.l. berries.
• If a person has introduced blueberries into his diet and eats them every day, then his retina will recover much faster than that of someone who does not eat such berries. It should be noted that in some cases the functionality of even heavily damaged areas of the eye can be significantly improved.

Blueberry contains a complex of various vitamins and microelements that affects all parts of the eye.But the benefits from it will be noticeable only if you take it constantly, and not once.

Contraindications

The benefits of any herbal preparation are relative.The human body is very complex, therefore the same substances can both positively and negatively affect various organs. This also applies to blueberries, the use of which may be limited by several contraindications:

1. The berries of this plant are not advisable for people who are sick with urolithiasis;
2. Allergic reactions to blueberries are rare, but they do occur, so people with allergies should eat with caution;
3. Blueberries are strong, so a large number of them can lead to constipation;
4. diseases of the pancreas – a contraindication to the use of this berry;
5. Blueberries may not be comparable with various excipients.Very often, these combinations lead to chronic fatigue or low blood pressure.

The benefits and harms of blueberries are relative terms. To restore the body without harming it, you should take only the doses that are acceptable for it . It is not always possible to find this golden mean on your own. Therefore, it is better to first consult with a doctor who will prescribe you a specific course of treatment or prevention.

Note that blueberry leaves are not as harmful to the body under certain conditions as berries. But they also need to be taken quite carefully.

Medicines

It is quite difficult to cultivate blueberries, since it is almost impossible to recreate the conditions for their growth by artificial means.Therefore, in natural form, it is only available in summer. It is almost impossible to buy blueberries in winter. Unless you find frozen berries as supplies from someone you know. Today, many medical preparations are produced on the basis of this product. But very rarely they are certified.

A reliable drug can be considered as Strix tablets , which have passed many tests. They are dietary supplements and contain many vitamins and other useful substances.Such a vitamin complex improves vision and saturates the retina with the necessary microelements.

There are many blueberry-based supplements on the market. They do not have any medicinal properties. The presence of nutrients in the composition is not always true. Many pharmacies sell blueberry-based eye drops, extracts, or syrups. They should be bought only if they have passed all medical tests and meet all international standards.

It is important to use such drugs only after consulting an experienced doctor who cares about your health, not his profit.

Recipes

Blueberries are very often used to treat eyesight.It allows you to restore the performance of the eye in a relatively short time. The use of this herb is not limited to the prevention of vision problems. Many experts argue that it is better to eat fresh fruits only. Therefore, the easiest way to restore vision is freshly picked berries or freshly squeezed juice. These foods should be consumed intermittently for several months.

It is worth highlighting a few more folk recipes that can be used to prevent eye health:

1. Infusion of leaves and blueberry roots. It is relatively easy to prepare it. Pour boiling water over the product and leave for a while so that all elements go into the water. They consume such a product 1 glass once a day.
2. Dried fruit decoction. To prepare it, you will need 200 g of blueberries, which are poured over with 0.5 cups of boiling water. Drinking such a broth should be several times a day with a dosage of about half a glass at a time.
3. Drops. They are made from fresh juice. You need to squeeze it from freshly harvested blueberries.After that, the composition is diluted with pure water in a ratio of 1 to 2. To improve vision, the resulting mixture should be dripped into the eyes in a few drops.
4. If you suffer from myopia, you can fix this with the usual blueberry jam. For this, 1 Art. l. dilute with boiling water and drink it before breakfast. The course should be repeated periodically.

It should be noted that blueberries are beneficial in almost any form.Therefore, it can be used both as a tincture and as a regular jam.

Advice

Blueberries are distinguished by the richness of many useful substances. To get the most out of this product, the best solution is the correct dosage of the product. A few simple recommendations will help you with this:

1. fresh berries should be consumed in a volume of no more than 3 tbsp. l. in a day;
2. dried blueberries are more saturated with vitamins, so their daily amount should not exceed 1 tbsp. l. in a day;
3. Blueberry juice is healthy when made from fresh produce. It is recommended to use it in the amount of 1 glass per day.

If you decide to use medications based on this berry, it is important to study the reviews about them.This will eliminate low-quality products that will not do you any good. Experts recommend using it as a preventive measure. This approach will strengthen the organs of vision and prevent the development of many diseases that are difficult to treat.

It is important to consume blueberries constantly, and not only during periods of exacerbations of eye diseases. In this case, its action will be much more effective.

For more information on the benefits of blueberries for vision, see the next video.

For eye health – Blueberries and lutein

Improper nutrition, age-related changes in the body, prolonged use of the computer are good reasons to start taking the best vitamin complexes for the eyes. Visual perception plays a huge role in the life of every person. It has been proven that it is with the help of sight that we receive up to 90% of all information from the world around us, and therefore it is extremely important to take care of the health of our eyes and provide them with a full set of nutrients.

Vision problems with a lack of vitamins Vitamin deficiency can cause various disorders in the functioning of the visual organs. Lack of retinol (vitamin A) often leads to such pathology as “night blindness”.

At first glance, this is not a very serious defect, which reduces visual acuity only in the evening. However, if you do not deal with the problem, then over time, the disease can lead to permanent loss of visual functions.

With a deficiency of vitamin B12, retinal vessels are most affected, their nutrition is disturbed, and this entails double or blurred vision, the appearance of tracing shadows, and excessive sensitivity to bright light.If the body lacks ascorbic acid (vitamin C), its deficiency can manifest itself as bursting vessels in the eyeball. Red streaks on the protein are the first sign that it’s time to buy the best vitamin complexes for the eyes and replenish the lack of vitamin C in the body. In case of insufficient supply of riboflavin (vitamin B2), a person may feel pain and “sand” in the eyes, and if there is a lack of pyridoxine (vitamin B6), his eyelids involuntarily begin to tremble. Tocopherol (vitamin E) is responsible for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, sufficient hydration of the eyeball, and improving blood circulation in the visual apparatus.The first signs of its deficiency are burning and dryness in the eyes, impaired focus. With prolonged vitamin deficiency, this can result in retinal degeneration and the development of cataracts, which can lead to complete blindness.

Problems with the eye apparatus can appear for many reasons. The constant use of gadgets, frequent stress, strict diets, bad habits create fertile ground for the development of various diseases. Blue light emitted by PCs, tablets, smartphones is considered especially harmful to the organs of vision.It promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species in the body, which oxidize proteins and lipids in cell membranes, causing significant damage to the visual system.

It is necessary to use the best vitamin complexes for the eyes, first of all, for people who are constantly exposed to blue light. If you sit at the computer for more than five hours during the day, vitamins must be included in your diet. In addition, they will be useful when: driving a car frequently; hours of reading books; work with documents; wearing glasses or contact lenses; eye diseases; high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis.The beneficial substances included in the supplements provide nutrition for the eyeball, have a strengthening effect on blood vessels, and prevent hyperopia and myopia. These products are formulated with natural ingredients to help improve vision and avoid drastic reduction in vision.

What microelements are needed to maintain vision Usually, people with eye problems go to an appointment with an ophthalmologist, but few people think that it is possible to prevent possible pathologies with the help of nutrients.Vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements are invaluable helpers that can significantly improve the functioning of the visual apparatus.

Vitamins with lutein for the eyes – which ones are better? As mentioned above, the greatest effect in improving vision is provided by dietary supplements containing carotenoids. But which vitamins with lutein are best for the eyes? In this regard, the palm is held by high-quality drugs manufactured by the Japanese company KWC. Supplements from the manufacturer help to improve vision and prevent the development of many eye diseases.KWC Blueberry & Lutein KWC Blueberry & Lutein is a carefully selected combination of natural ingredients that improve visual acuity and protect the eyes from negative environmental influences. The drug has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has an immunomodulatory effect and slows down the appearance of age-related changes in the visual apparatus.

7 myths about vision restoration.

Are blueberries really a panacea for all problems, can glasses hurt, is there any sense in daily gymnastics for the eyes? We decided to select the 7 most common myths about the restoration of vision and asked the ophthalmologist Irina Ivanova to explain which of them is true and which is a lie.

Irina Ivanova
ophthalmologist of the 1st category of the medical center “Ecomedservice”

1. If there are a lot of blueberries and carrots, your eyesight can really improve

– This myth has been going on since the Second World War. Then they tried to feed the pilots especially well. After all, the degree of concentration strongly depends on nutrition. After focusing on foods high in vitamin A, the researchers concluded that it was thanks to it that the effectiveness of night flights improved.However, they did not take into account the fact that a new radar system was introduced at the same time. Therefore, it is still unclear whether carrots and blueberries can really affect the situation so much.

Yes, vitamins are undoubtedly needed for nutrition of the retina. In particular, the products under consideration contain a considerable amount of B vitamins, as well as vitamins PP, C, beta-carotene, organic acids and trace elements, and yet the usefulness of carrots and blueberries is exaggerated. To get the required amount of useful elements from berries, you need to eat them about 2-2.5 kg per day, carrots – a pound.

Moreover, almost everyone already knows that the body absorbs only 30-40% of what is eaten, the rest goes in transit. Therefore, even if we could eat a bucket of blueberries a day, we could not expect a perfect result.

Abuse does not lead to anything good either. Until now, parents who diligently add carrots to their diet bring children with yellowed hands, heels and so on. And all because of the excessive use of orange gifts of nature….

Unfortunately, numerous studies also prove that, compared to the period 30-50 years ago, the soils have become impoverished. Therefore, the amount of useful microelements in berries, vegetables and fruits has long decreased.

And yet, instead of candy, it is better to enjoy natural products. This will be much more beneficial for both the eyes and the body as a whole.

I would also like to remind you that not all vitamins are well absorbed by themselves. Some people need help.So, for example, a fat-soluble component is very important for vitamin A. Fermented milk products act as it best: kefir, milk, sour cream.

Juice therapy is a good option. To improve health, you can consume 150-180 grams of freshly squeezed carrot juice for about 10 days, while adding a spoonful of cream to the glass. It is advisable to drink the mixture on an empty stomach, and not in one gulp, but in unhurried small sips. The juice binds with saliva and then vitamin A very quickly enters the bloodstream and is just as quickly transported to the retina.Do not forget to think about whether you have any allergies. If you are not sure, it is better not to consume a lot of the product at once. Sample a small portion first.

2. Vision will be restored if you regularly do eye exercises

– This statement is partly true, partly not. Most often, this question is asked to me by mothers of children with myopia and adults after forty, whose eyesight began to fall.

Why is gymnastics useful? It improves: blood circulation in the eyes, nutrition of the retina and muscle training.

Myopia is a condition when the image, when looking into the distance, is focused not on the retina, but in front of it. It will not be possible to improve vision in such a situation, but a set of exercises, coupled with the implementation of other doctor’s recommendations, will help stop the development of the problem.

Against genetics, doctors are also powerless. If there is a hereditary predisposition, it is extremely difficult to stop the deterioration of vision.

And yet there is such a thing as “false myopia”, and in this case, gymnastics will work, since the process is reversible here.There are many techniques with which you can not only train the eye muscles, but also learn how to relax them.

As for age-related changes, everything is a little more complicated. After forty, people often have difficulty working at close quarters. In this situation, vision problems are a natural process laid down by nature. Therefore, the effect of exercise will not be as noticeable.

– It would be nice for schoolchildren to do light gymnastics for the eyes after each lesson or at least 2 times a day, but a full-fledged set of exercises.

Adults who work at a computer or with documents need to take breaks every hour and stretch their eye muscles. It is also useful to massage the cervical spine, get up periodically, take short walks (to restore blood flow and relieve tension), go to the window and look into the distance, at the horizon for a couple of minutes, so that the eyes relax and rest.

3. Glasses make it worse! They say that if you put them on, then it’s forever

– I have to dissuade patients from this almost every day.This is a very common misconception.

It is especially important to “catch” a dangerous moment in childhood. The fact is that an eye with any pathology (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) sees blurry. The retina does not have a clear image example. And if at this time you do not wear glasses so that the eye understands what to strive for, it is likely that a condition such as amblyopia (or “lazy eye”) will develop and no operation will help restore vision.

Amblyopia – decreased vision, in which one of the two eyes is almost (or not at all) involved in the visual process.

In addition, if the child does not see clearly, it is difficult for him to fully develop. He becomes insecure, not so active, he loses the speed of reading the text. Poor vision is at least unsafe.

4. Vision does not deteriorate from modern screens. They are much better than before and do not do much harm

– Undoubtedly, screens are much better today than 5-10 years ago. Almost all monitors have a special coating. It has already been proven that X-rays and UV rays from new screens are negligible and not very harmful.But! Nevertheless, this negative point still exists, no matter how pronounced. That is, the abuse of gadgets is definitely not beneficial.

People who suffer from dry eye syndrome should be especially careful. I would recommend them to pay attention to glasses with anti-reflective coating, as well as to the observance of the regime of work and rest.

– The smaller the monitor, the worse. That is why I consider a smartphone to be the most unfavorable gadget, because:

• there are too many small details on its screen;
• difficult to control the distance to the eyes;
• there is a desire to bring the phone as close as possible in order to examine something (and this is a particularly dangerous manipulation for an unformed child’s eye).

Yes, modern technology is convenient, especially when you need to distract your baby. Unfortunately, I often hear stories from the category: “My son refuses to eat, if there is no cartoon, my daughter cannot sleep without a tablet.” But after all, it is the parents who are to blame for this state of affairs. To prevent children from getting used to it, it is better not to show it all.

Permissible stay of children in front of the screen:

• 3-5 years – no more than 15 minutes at the TV;
• 6-7 years old – 20-25 minutes for any gadgets;
• from 8 years old – 30 minutes;
• 9-10 years old – 1.5 hours maximum, moreover, with interruptions.

I remind adults that the monitor should be located from the eyes at arm’s length. The chair is comfortable to avoid pinching in the back. Hands should be on the table. The lighting in the room should be good, just do not direct excess light rays to the monitor. Do not set the screen brightness to full power and remove images with a blue palette from the desktop. It is desirable that the splash screen be made in brown-green tones, which have the most favorable effect on the visual analyzer.

5. As long as a person sees well, he does not need to go to the doctor.

– I really hope that no one takes this myth seriously.

From birth, it is necessary to show the baby to an ophthalmologist, who must check if there are any pathologies and abnormalities in the development of the eye, if reflexes are normal and if there is a predisposition to various problems. Inspections per month, at three months, at six months and a year are mandatory. Age-related changes take place up to 14 years old, and from 13 to 25 – hormonal changes, which can also affect vision.It is necessary to check regularly further. After all, only a doctor can recognize in time such terrible diseases as, for example, oncology.

After 50 years, hormonal changes again occur in the body, plus, as we have already said, age-related changes begin. All of this is worth watching. It is better to prevent the problem than to solve it later. In general, everyone, young and old, should consult a doctor once a year.

6. Contact lenses can be severely damaged if not properly cared for.

– Absolutely correct.It is not for nothing that each lens should be placed in the personal compartment of the case with a fresh special solution. Dust, debris, harmful microorganisms can join the lens, it absorbs literally everything that we breathe, that hovers in our metropolis. That is why it is so important to maintain hygiene and not neglect the rules of use.

People with sensitive eyes should be especially careful, as well as those who work at computers in poorly ventilated offices with dry air.The best option in the latter case would be to change lenses to glasses in front of the monitor.

I also do not advise you to wear lenses for longer than the prescribed period or “through force”, feeling discomfort. If the lens irritates the mucous membrane, bites into the eye, causing corneal edema, all this can lead to very serious problems: conjunctivitis, keratitis and even deterioration of vision.

7. Vitamins will help to restore vision, the content of lutein is especially important

– Lutein is a pigment belonging to the group of oxygen-containing carotenoids – xanthophylls.

A person should receive 5-6 grams of lutein per day. Why is it needed? I’ll explain now. In the retina there is a macula (macula), the main pigment of which is the same lutein and its derivative zeaxanthin, they are also present in the iris, choroid, lens and ciliary body. Lutein helps to maintain visual acuity, with its deficiency, a person will see indistinctly, blurry. It also filters out part of the sun’s spectrum, that is, it protects the eye from bright light, as well as from free radicals that form in the light.

Yes, there are many foods that contain lutein: spinach, pumpkin, corn, green peas, carrots, celery, legumes, persimmons, pumpkin, peaches, citrus fruits, blueberries, and so on. But, as I already said, we cannot eat a lot of them. Therefore, from time to time I would advise you to “feed” your eyes, choosing the appropriate option together with your doctor. It is, of course, impossible to restore vision with the help of vitamins, but they will definitely thank you for the timely eye support.

A dozen of inexpensive and affordable products for the preservation of vision.

What to eat to improve your eyesight? The short answer is nothing. We will entrust this mission to specialists and the achievements of official medicine. But everyone can take care of the prevention of visual impairment. We present the TOP-10 products recommended by ophthalmologists for maintaining eye health.

Products that are good for the eyes

The menu for those who care about eye health is balanced, varied, rich in vitamins and minerals.The diet should be based on vegetables and fruits, fish, dairy products.

10 Healthy Eye Products:

Scientists’ conclusion: regular consumption of blueberries helps maintain healthy retina.

1. Carrots, pumpkin and other yellow-orange vegetables. They got their color due to the content of a large amount of beta-carotene. Once in the body, it is converted to vitamin A. Its deficiency can lead to dryness of the cornea, impaired color perception.Confirmed by research: due to carotenoids, carrots improve vision.
2. Blueberry. As part of many eye preparations. Blueberries help your eyes recover from overexertion. Due to the presence in the composition of anthocyanins – substances that give it a black and blue color. Scientists have proven that regular consumption of the berry helps restore vision after exposure to bright light and helps maintain healthy retina.
3. Sea fish. A source of fatty acids.They are irreplaceable in the work of the circulatory system. They preserve the integrity of cells, serve as prevention of dry eye syndrome, degenerative changes in the retina.
4. Legumes. Lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas for sight – that’s it. Legumes are rich in zinc. It maintains the health of the retina, helps keep the lens clear for longer and prevents the risk of developing cataracts.
5. Nuts. According to the WHO recommendation, they must be in the diet of an adult. Nuts are rich in phosphorus, potassium, healthy fats that are required for the functioning of the visual system.
6. Dairy products. They contain a large amount of calcium, which is part of the cells and tissue fluid of the eye, is used to transmit nerve signals, and controls the contraction and expansion of blood vessels.
7. Eggs, broccoli, cabbage and other green leafy vegetables are foods with lutein. It is a carotenoid found in the retina. Therefore, regular consumption of foods with lutein is very beneficial for the eyes. eggs slows down the development of retinal dystrophy.
8. Buckwheat and oatmeal. These cereals are rich in vitamins and minerals. Due to the high content of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron, the healing and restoration of eye structures occurs faster, therefore cereals are included in the diet for eye diseases.
9. Honey for eyesight is an irreplaceable product. Accelerates blood flow to the eye, improves tissue nutrition, helps cell regeneration and preserves visual function.

Harmful products for eyes:

Alcohol slows down the delivery of nutrients and can cause visual disturbances.

1. Coffee. Caffeine increases intraocular pressure and may accelerate the development of glaucoma. In large doses, the drink reduces blood flow to the eye and nutrient saturation.
2. Salt. Retains fluid in the body. From this, intraocular pressure can rise, and the risk of developing cataracts can increase. Therefore – no more than 5 grams of salt per day, according to the WHO recommendation.
3. Sweets. Sugar in large quantities negatively affects the condition of the retina and the health of the eyes in general.It is not for nothing that diabetic patients are advised to be monitored regularly by an ophthalmologist.
4. Alcohol. With alcohol abuse, the blood supply to the choroid of the eye is disrupted, the delivery of nutrients slows down, vasospasm and other disorders of the function of the visual organ may occur.
5. Fatty foods. With an increase in cholesterol, blockage of blood vessels can occur. The risk of thrombosis and eye stroke increases.

Good eye habits

Establish nutrition, add more products that are good for the eyes to the diet, minimize the use of harmful ones – advice from ophthalmologists during preventive examinations.How else can you take care of your eyesight:

• Do visual gymnastics regularly. Exercising will help improve blood circulation, increase the flow of nutrients and help relieve eye fatigue.
• Quit smoking. Nicotine strikes the human circulatory system. The eyeball and adjacent structures contain many arteries, vessels and capillaries. Poor blood supply can cause cataracts, conjunctivitis, and retinal defects.
• Wear sunglasses.They protect the eyes from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.

And do not forget to regularly visit the ophthalmologist’s office, undergo comprehensive eye diagnostics. The sooner the doctor detects the disease, the more chances of successful treatment and preservation of vision.

Blueberries for sight: discern the truth | Apteka.ru

The desire to improve vision leads us to preparations with blueberries. Do these remedies work or are they just a source of vitamins?

Blueberry history

Our northern forests are full of blueberries.The berries, which are produced by a low-growing shrub of the heather family, have long been harvested for jam, jelly and pies. And our ancestors did not know that blueberries can somehow improve vision. Data on the healing power of the plant appeared only after the Second World War. There is a funny story related to the first experience of using blueberries as an eye medicine.

Legend has it that the pilots of the British Air Force had great respect for blueberry tea. Having relished with all their hearts before the flight, they cheerfully went out into the night battle and, with unprecedented destructive accuracy, set enemy targets on fire.Such amazing accuracy was associated with the ability of blueberries to improve twilight vision. Since then, this theory has troubled minds and hearts. Whether this story is true or not, we will never know. But the fact remains: for several decades now, blueberries have been in special demand as a product that improves vision.

What Science Says

In fact, science confirms the effect of various components on vision. For example, not so long ago, foreign scientists noticed that drinking coffee preserves vision.But there are very conflicting opinions among scientists about the positive effect of blueberries on twilight vision. Clinical studies completely disprove the evidence of “cured” and “improved”. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the United States in 2000 unequivocally found no evidence of the effectiveness of blueberry extract in night vision impairment. So we sorted out the myth. Now let’s get down to realities.

And the reality is as follows:

• Blueberry helps to restore the retina in patients with retinopathy – a non-inflammatory disease of the retina of the eye.
  Usually, retinopathy develops as a complication of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The anthocyanin dye, which gives the dark blue berries a rich color, is effective against retinal diseases.
• There is evidence for the benefits of blueberries for dry eyes. Early research into the properties of blueberries showed that a combination of fish oil, lutein (a carotenoid that increases visual acuity) and blueberry extract helps with dry eye syndrome and headaches in people who strain their eyes for a long time.Therefore, combined supplements with blueberries can be useful for those who spend a lot of time at the computer.
• It is also suggested that taking 120 mg of blueberry extract daily for at least 12 months improves vision in glaucoma. Finally, some experts argue that blueberry extract can reduce fundus pressure and increase blood flow with increased intraocular pressure.

However, I emphasize that there is no precise evidence for the last two properties of blueberries.The only effect confirmed by official medicine is the restoration of the retina in retinopathy.

Russian love for blueberries

In our country, preparations and additives with blueberry extract are deliberately very popular. And Russian experts, contrary to the opinion of Western scientists, argue that blueberry-based products still improve visual functions in case of dystrophic eye diseases, regardless of their cause. Moreover, many consumers do notice the beneficial effects of these aids on their eyesight.

It is difficult to say what is the reason for the discrepancy between the scope of use of blueberry extract in Russia and in the West. Perhaps the northern blueberry has a beneficial effect on our, domestic, eyes. There is also a possibility of a placebo effect, which can sometimes be as high as 50%. Well, if the visual impairment is caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, blueberry preparations really work. In any case, there is simply no real alternative to these funds. Rather than bewildered and doomed to watch the progressive decline in vision, it is really better to start treatment and rely on its effectiveness.Moreover, blueberry extract is an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants. And here we come to the most interesting thing – the choice.

With all the richness of choice …

The Russian pharmaceutical market is overflowing with a variety of products with blueberry extract. Sometimes their cost can differ tenfold. What caused such a striking price jump and where is it, the ideal combination of quality and acquisition costs?

Let’s start with the fact that blueberries are not the cheapest berry.It grows in northern pine forests and swampy areas. Collecting it is quite laborious, especially on an industrial scale. These nuances automatically increase the final cost of raw materials, so products containing blueberries cannot cost mere pennies.

By the way, on our market there is only one drug based on blueberry extract – Strix. All the other numerous tablets with blueberries or their combinations with vitamins and other substances are classified as dietary supplements.So what follows from this, you ask.

And the fact is that the composition of dietary supplements is often a philosophical concept. It is not backed by anything other than the manufacturer’s assurances. There is a very real possibility that in the cheapest products, blueberries are present only in the picture decorating the box. Accordingly, the more expensive the additive, the more chances that the declared and real composition coincide. Therefore, if you really want to support your eyesight or enrich your body with vitamins and antioxidants, you should not choose the cheapest package in the blueberry variety.