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Bilberry - Sisu

How Bilberry Helps:

The active ingredients in bilberry are called anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides have been shown to strengthen connective tissue, prevent free-radical damage, and inhibit the synthesis and release of many pro-inflammatory compounds. Bilberry is best known for its benefits to visual health. This seems to be because the anthocyanosides in bilberry improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the eye. This delivery can be impeded by aging; many eye diseases begin with free-radical damage that accompanies aging. During WWII, pilots reported improved night vision after eating bilberries. Studies since then have confirmed that bilberry extract can improve night vision, day vision, and recovery from glare in healthy subjects. In one study, anthocyanidin supplements increased levels of the pigment rhodopsin, which is crucial to eyesight, in as little as 20 minutes. Another study showed that bilberry increased blood supply to the eye and improved eyesight in 75 percent of patients; an average 83 percent improvement in vision occurred after only 15 days and nearsightedness was improved after only five months of regular use. Other studies have suggested that bilberry supplements may offer significant protection against cataract formation, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Other Important Points about Bilberry:
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) followed almost 5000 men and women between 55 and 80 years for 5 years during the 1990s to see if a high-dose supplement of antioxidants and/or zinc could reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD: the leading cause of blindness) and cataract. The researchers found that people at risk of developing AMD lowered their risk by up to 25 percent by taking antioxidants and zinc. (There was no effect on cataract.) Although AREDS did not look at plant-based antioxidants, other evidence suggests plant-derived antioxidants may be useful in preventing age-related eye disease.
A high death rate among AREDS participants with AMD and cataract suggests that age-related eye diseases may reflect larger health problems and may be better addressed with supplements that treat the whole body than treatments for the eyes alone.
Historically, bilberry was used to treat diabetes. Studies show that it strengthens blood vessels that have become fragile, a common problem among diabetics.
Extracts of bilberry should be standardized to 25 percent anthocyanidin content to ensure effectiveness.
No adverse effects have been observed as a result of taking bilberry extract supplements, even at dosages of up to 400 mg per kg of body weight.

ID	Size	Qty	Price
1191	60 - 100 mg. caps		$25.99	CAD

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