LarchVita™ SIGHT offers the benefits of LarchVita™ (Dihydroquercetin) DHQ, Bilberry extract, beta-carotene, Zeaxanthin, Lutein and Selenium to support optimal eye health by enhancing body's antioxidant defenses against free radicals, which can damage the retina, the lens, the eyes muscles, and the capillaries.†
LarchVita™ SIGHT is a unique combination featuring DIHYDROQUERCETIN also known as TAXIFOLIN, CAROTENOIDS (LUTEIN, ZEAXANTHIN, and BETA CAROTENE), SELENIUM and BILBERRY ANTHOCYANIDINS.
Dihydroquercetin is a unique phenolic compound, which supports the structure and function of eye's blood capillaries. Dihydroquercetin with five free OH groups and without the C2-C3 double bond produced the rapid increment on ocular blood flow in laboratory settings.
In combination with vitamin C, Dihydroquercetin was shown to enhance nutrients and oxygen supply; assist in regeneration of damaged tissues; enhance visual functions and visual acuity; and support visual nerve sensitivity and conductibility in animals with focal injuries in the retina induced by the high-intensity light exposure.
Additional benefits provided by Dihydroquercetin are related to its ability to scavenge free radicals as well as transition metal chelating capacity.
Dihydroquercetin acts as a "chain-breaking antioxidant" by intercepting lipid peroxyl radicals (ROO· or LOO·) and terminating lipid peroxidation chain reactions that take place within the cell membranes.
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LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin molecular structure The ORAChydro value of LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin is over 28,000µM TE/g. |
| (Method: ALC114A, AUV203A, AOAC, USP, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2001; 49(10); 4619-4626) * The ORAChydro reflects water-soluble antioxidant capacity. Trolox, a water-soluble Vitamin E analog, is used as the calibration standard and the ORAC result is expressed as micro mole Trolox equivalent (TE) per gram. |
Dihydroquercetin supports cellular structure and cell metabolism. This flavonoid was shown to scavenge free radicals in different lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. It inhibited superoxide radical production and microsomal lipid peroxidation, thus offering antioxidant protection to the mitochondria, cellular membrane, and subcellular systems.
Due to the native molecule structure - functionality relationship with high potency to donate hydrogen atom, dihydroquercetin can penetrate the human erythrocytes easily and protect from oxidative damage (CAP-e assay by NIS Labs*), which in turn confirms LarchVita™ Dihydroquercetin bioavailability in human tissues.
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CAP-e Units per 1 gram: 9.9 -10.5 |
| *CAP-e assay as a cell-based antioxidant protection assay using erythrocytes to address the question of whether antioxidants in complex natural products enter the cytosol and contribute to the reduction of oxidative damage within the cell. | |
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Lutein and Zeaxanthin are commonly referred to as macular pigments because they are found selectively in high concentrations at the centre of the retina, as well as the crystalline lens.
The only carotenoids identified in the human lens, Lutein and Zeaxanthin filter out potentially phototoxic blue light and near-ultraviolet radiation from the macula, possibly decreasing photochemical light damage.
Their protective effect is attributed to their reactive oxygen species quenching ability and their relative stability to decomposition by pro-oxidants.
Several epidemiological and clinical studies have indicated that higher blood levels and/or higher dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin were correlated with lower incidence of the macular deterioration and/or lens opacity.
As a precursor of vitamin A, Beta-carotene actively participates in the metabolism processes that take place in the retina. Within human organism beta-carotene is transformed in vitamin A which is indispensable for the retina functioning.
Vitamin A is the source material for new rhodopsin molecules - the light-sensitive material of the eye. Additionally, sufficient supply of vitamin A is required for good color perception, adaptation to darkness and twilight eyesight.
Selenium is an essential trace element vital for the proper functioning of at least 25 selenoenzymes in our body, such as the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase, the metabolic enzyme thioredoxin reductase, and the thyroid-hormone-activating enzyme iodothyronine deiodinase, just to name few.
Elevated levels of free radicals and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity were observed in the lenses of selenium-deficient animals; while lower than normal levels of selenium were seen in the sera and aqueous humor in people with lens.
Some scientists suggest that selenium offers protection from free radicals since it increases glutathione levels and/or acts as a co-factor for glutathione-dependent enzymes, which are responsible for the destruction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides.
Bilberries are rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant and health-enhancing properties. Over 15 different flavonoids called anthocyanosides are found in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
The activity of anthocyanosides is thought to be linked to the ability of these bioflavonoids to inhibit the proteolytic collagen degradation enzymes, thus, indirectly participating in the synthesis of collagen of the vascular wall and in the control of the permeability of the vascular wall.
Anthocyanidins have been shown to have capillary-strengthening and capillary-permeability properties The beneficial impact of bilberry anthocyanidins on the retina are thought to be attributed to such activities of these phytonutrients as enhancing sensitivity of the retina to light; supporting the rate of blood flow in the microcirculatory system; and interfering with prostaglandin synthesis.
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) was found to be depleted in subjects with eye problems, which, as was postulated by the researchers, could be a possible consequence of impaired absorption of vitamin B1. The researchers also suggested that deficiency of vitamin B1 could lead to a possible degeneration of the optic nerve.
VITAMIN B-2 (Riboflavin) is a precursor to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which is a coenzyme for glutathione reductase, and riboflavin deficiency has been found to be associated with a decreased activity of glutathione reductase.
Glutathione exists in high concentrations in the lens in its reduced form (GSH), and lenticular GSH is diminished in all forms of subjects with lens opacities. GSH is believed to protect lens proteins against oxidative damage, and hence against visual opacification of the lens.
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) is involved in the metabolism of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and of essential fatty acids. Some preliminary studies indicate that pyridoxine may decrease lens protein oxidation thus offering benefits to the eye health.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble, free radical scavenger that quenches superoxide and its derivatives produced during normal cellular oxidation, halts lipid peroxidation, and preserves glutathione levels. Vitamin C may protect the photoreceptor cells by decreasing or preventing their loss induced by the light exposure.
It also acts as a potent osmotic agent; protects the Na+/K pump, enhances hyaluronic acid synthesis and reduces its viscosity.
Data from experimental and epidemiologic studies suggest that long-term consumption of vitamin C supplements may substantially reduce the development of age-related lens opacities.
| LarchVita SIGHT (Eye Care) ORAC assay per capsule 5,400 µM TE/g. |
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The CAP-e assay is used to test whether natural products contain antioxidants capable of entering into and protecting live cells from oxidative damage. Thus, when any protective effect is seen in the CAP-e assay, it shows a biologically meaningful antioxidant protection by the product. |
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LarchVita SIGHT (Eye Care) CAP-e units per capsule 609.9 GA E/g. |
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