Nutraceuticals, Vision and Anti-Aging
Can nutraceuticals help keep the eyes healthy?
Yes. Nutraceuticals are pharmaceutical grade (USP) vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants. They help correct nutritional deficiencies commonly found in today’s diet and environment. The antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E, and beta carotene) and the B-complex vitamins are particularly important. Even a slight deficiency of Vitamin A can cause tired eyes, sensitivity to light variations, dry eyelids and increased susceptibility to infection. Chronic severe deficiencies can result in ulceration and distortion of the cornea and even blindness. New research suggests that nutritional supplements containing antioxidants can significantly reduce the risk of eye disease. Macular degeneration and other eye diseases are related to damage caused by free radicals, highly reactive molecules that destroy components of the body. Free radicals are found in everything from air pollution to food preservatives and some are essential for normal metabolic processes, however the body can’t handle excess free radicals and they are considered one of the main causes of the aging process itself. Researchers have known for years that antioxidants seem to retard free radical damage in the body.
A seven-year ground breaking study known as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) sponsored by the NIH, is the largest clinical trial to have tested the impact of nutritional supplements on Macular Degeneration. It showed that vitamin supplements containing high-doses of Anti-Oxidants and Zinc reduced the likelihood of progression of intermediate and advanced degrees of macular degeneration by 25%!
Why should I take nutraceuticals?
Inadequate intake, lack of absorption, or subtle deficiencies in several vitamins causes risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, decreased vision and other chronic diseases. Industrialization has also played a key factor in nutritional deficiencies, by reducing the available nutrients essential to body functions. Other factors such as smog, smoke, pollutants, prolonged transport and storage contribute to the reduced nutrient value of our fruits, vegetables, and other food commodities. Because sub optimal conditions have been proven to exist with ramifications of chronic disease, it is vital to develop the science of vitamin supplementation.
It is essential that you discuss nutritional supplementation with your physician. Not all supplements are for every person. They should be tailored to your specific condition.
The National Institutes of Health has established The Office of Dietary Supplements to further research in nutritional supplementation and to educate the public. There are those of you reading this article that view your diets as well rounded and meeting all general aspects of the basic food groups and generally recommended daily allowances. Normally, the more specialized needs a patient has, the greater the importance of daily supplements. Furthermore, scientific research has overwhelmingly suggested that almost everyone needs daily nutrient supplementation. The National Academy of Sciences has recommended vitamins for large segments of the population. Stating that even those who eat a well-balanced diet may not receive all the dietary nutrients from food alone.
Can nutraceuticals help improve quality of life?
The aging process has been a challenge to modern medicine. The baby boomers have become very interested in this problem and have adopted new approaches to retard the ailments of growing old. We are confronted with degenerative diseases of the joints, and the different organ systems. There is no doubt that exercise and proper nutrition retards the aging process. Antioxidants play an important role as demonstrated in the reduction of age-related macular degeneration. The use of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may in the long run prevent the deterioration of cartilage. The development of certain malignancies may also be related to certain nutritional deficiencies. Based on long-term studies, it has been shown that in certain groups of individuals, multivitamin supplementation may reduce the risk of colon cancer as well as prostate cancer. Fish oil and flaxseed oil have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment dysfunctional tear syndrome.
In today’s culture there is a growing interest in the “natural” and herbal products that have been used for centuries in some cultures. AmeriSciences has manufactured a unique set of such nutraceuticals that are safe and effective.AmeriSciences provides a line of nutritional supplements that offer health & wellness solutions that target your needs with premium effective formulations backed by science.
Leading physicians and nutritional scientists create all AmeriSciences formulations. AmeriSciences products are based upon the most recent scientific and medical research. AmeriSciences products are manufactured to over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical equivalent standards. OTC pharmaceutical grade products are manufactured to a much higher quality standard than most supplements on the market today. Only a very small percentage of nutritional supplement manufacturers perform to these high standards. AmeriSciences manufacturers are monitored by the FDA and are in compliance with FDA manufacturing standards.
Take advantage of today’s opportunities by adding prevention to your wellness model. After all, the best way to predict your future is to create it.
