New research reveals how three specific carotenoids (plant pigment compounds) can now be delivered to the retina faster and with more potency for the prevention or slowing of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The three carotenoids used in the study have long been recommended for macular degeneration supplements. However, researchers applied a state-of-the-art extraction process to these carotenoids and formulated them capable of surpassing current supplementation and absorption levels.
This is ground breaking research called micromicellar formulation, able to boost carotenoid delivery for AMD, taking the fight to eradicate this disease to the next level and turning it up a notch.
AREDS Gets Better
Oral supplementation for just about any compound requires a delivery that surpasses the hostile acidic stomach environment, make it to the small intestines with as much potency it can maintain, and then permeate into the bloodstream. Regardless, the renowned AREDS (age-related eye disease study) research proved the benefits of oral supplementation for eye diseases such as macular degeneration by following a successful, five year cohort (participant group).
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI),
“Study researchers tested whether taking nutritional supplements could prevent or slow these diseases…Taking AREDS or AREDS2 supplements reduces the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent…The formulations tested in the trials are now sold as the AREDS and the AREDS2 formulas.”
A twenty-five percent reduction is a pretty good reason to follow an AREDS protocol. The three carotenoids used for this new research are found in the AREDS2 formula which are: lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin (a more potent version of zeaxanthin).
In a study by researchers from the Biochemistry Department, University of Costa Rica and the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut it was stated that,
“…zeaxanthin has also been shown to have a number of beneficial effects for human health due to its ability to quench free radicals, exert antioxidant effects, as well as decrease inflammation.”
Another study by Chinese researchers which was published in the journal ‘Nutrients’ concluded that,
“The present meta-analysis [examination of data from a number of independent studies of the same subject] demonstrated significant benefits of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin supplementation on MPOD [macular pigment optical density] augmentation both in AMD patients and healthy subjects with a dose-response relationship. Moreover, such improvement was positively associated with the increase in blood xanthophyll carotenoids level [protecting the morphological integrity of the retina and preventing the progression of AMD].”
Now, with a new MacuHealth formulation, these carotenoids can be processed as a more powerful application with significant results for preventing macular degeneration.
Targeted Nutrition
As mentioned, one of the biggest challenges of oral supplementation is creating the most potent delivery available. In research titled COAST (Carotenoid-Omega Availability Study), published in the peer-reviewed open access journal ‘Antioxidants,’ according to Dr Marina Green-Gomez at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI) in the School of Health Science at Waterford Institute of Technology, as reported by the Iosco County News Herald (East Tawas, MI), it was stated that the study,
“…compared bioavailability of key carotenoids when they were taken as microcrystals suspended in sunflower or omega-3 oil with a new method of delivery. The patented, exclusive and innovative Micro-Micelle formulation, proved that zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin travelled more efficiently into the bloodstream, increasing the bioavailability and impact of these carotenoids.”
This increased bioavailability is labeled ‘targeted nutrition’ which has shown in this and many other cases to “boost the effectiveness of proven supplements”.
MacuHealth, the company distributing this targeted nutrition claims that the increased carotenoid bioavailability and formulated benefits for the three supplements (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) are as follows:
The increased potency and more significant delivery ensures that these three carotenoids will be able to make the journey to the macula and sustain longer bouts of antioxidant-powerful vision support.
Keep Them in the Basket
These super-supplements will most likely be advancing in the supplement world as a ‘must-have’ that offers less consumption for more results. However, supplements alone cannot save sight while other lifestyle habits (i.e.: processed foods, excessive animal products, alcohol, smoking) continue. It is essential that in addition to good exercise and limited excesses, a diet high in carotenoids is a proven benefit to eyesight. The William Reed newsletter, Nutra, reported on published data in JAMA Ophthalmology by scientists from Harvard and Brown Universities which stated,
“Data collected over two decades from 102,046 participants in the Nurse’s Health Study and the Health-Professional’s Follow-Up Study showed that increased levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).”
Add the Micro-Micelle formulation to your eye supplement protocol while continuing to increase your natural sources of lutein and zeaxanthin that include colorful fruits and vegetables primarily from an organic source for optimal potency. As more ground breaking research such as this emerges there may be the ability to hit this disease from all sides rather than just rely on synthetic chemical disruptors to slow progression.
Prof John Nolan, founder, NRCI (Nutrition Research Centre Ireland ) and senior author on the paper COAST (Carotenoid-Omega Availability Study) commented on the research:
“This ground-breaking research really is disruptive science in the best sense where emerging technology and new knowledge are applied to boost the effectiveness of proven supplements. The real-world impact of this research is underlined by how the new formulation is being commercialized in the U.S. by MacuHealth and in Europe by MacuPrime.”
Micromicellar technology gives another boost to supplemental remedies enabling them to go above and beyond in the fight against macular degeneration.
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