Care for health : How proper food consumption and B'Young can lead to better eye care

The eyes are the windows to the mind. Proper eye care is not something to be taken lightly in view of the vital importance the sense of sight plays in our daily lives.

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Yet, there is a dearth of information on proper eye care apart from advice such as the need to consume more pigmented vegetables such as carrots which are rich in B carotene, a type of carotenoid.

Such a useful practise requires discipline and continued effort which should begin since commencement of schooling. Even though various studies have been done in the past several years, the veracity of the link between food and proper eye health is something quite new in Nutritional Science. New findings have shown that it is not only the link between food consumption and proper eye health but rather nearly all types of degenerative or chronic diseases can be prevented through practising certain food consumption routines.

Three major diseases that have a serious effect on the health of eyes include AMD or Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. AMD is an eye disease that causes loss of central vision which restricts the sufferer to having only peripheral vision. Under normal circumstances AMD does not cause total blindness. Cataracts are 'cloudings' of either a part or the whole of the eye lenses. Cataracts usually occur to those aged 55 years or above even though it also affects those much younger. Diabetic retinopathy is the damage to sight caused by complications from Type 1 & II diabetes. This disease is a major factor leading to blindness in diabetic sufferers. Diabetic retinopathy is closely related to the presence of abnormal blood vessels in the retina that results in the weakening or leaks in the walls of the blood vessels in the eyes.

In developed countries, AMD has been identified as a major contributor to blindness for those over 50 years and above. Throughout the world, it is estimated that between 25 to 30 million people suffer from this disease. Blindness attributed to diabetes in America alone has reached over 17 million and this figure is expected to increase significantly every year. It is estimated that as many as 4.5 million Americans who suffer from diabetes requires treatment associated with problems affecting their sight. It should be remembered that anyone who is afflicted with diabetes runs a high risk of losing his or her eyesight. Unfortunately there is as yet no appropriate therapy that can cure this problem.

This problem has presented ZHULIAN with the effort to design a product that can help control sugar content and ensure that the nutraceutical formulation for maintaining eye health are contained within this product. The combination of complex carbohydrates in BYoung™ Advanced Functional Beverage is processed in die digestive system at a slower rate which contributes to a feeling of satiation as opposed to hunger. Apart from the ability to reduce the intake of calories from food containing carbohydrates such as rice, it is also able to slow down the absorprion and conversion of carbohydrates into blood sugar. This helps reduce the risk of cataracts and assists the body in controlling the level of sugar in the blood

This is a proactive step for preventing diabetes. In order to help in the proper care of eye health, ingredients such as bilberry extract, lutein ( a type of carotenoid ), zinc and vitamin E ( an antioxidant) are also included in the formulation of B"Young™ Advanced Functional Beverage. These ingredients have been closely studied by scientists across the world as functional ingredients that can help protect against chronic eye diseases. As an example, a study conducted by the Association for Sight and Opthalmological Research ( 2001-2002 ) showed that 90% of those with AMD who were given supplements containing lutein mixed with various antioxidants had experienced improvements in sight compared to another study group provided with placebos (harmless pills which do not have any active ingredients). This study was conducted for a period of 12 months and targetted at those who were already suffering from AMD. Many other studies have proven that bilberry extract and lutein are very effective in influencing eye health not only for asssisting in the recovery from eye diseases as mentioned earlier but also for protecting the eyes from such diseases and improving blood flow to the eyes- Bilberry extract in particular has been identified as assisting in raising blood flow and oxygen levels besides strengthening blood vessels. This role is most important for ensuring optimal eye health.

A most interesting fact for thought:

There are over 600 carotenoid compounds in nature but only 20 types are found in human serum (absorbed by the body for certain functions). Of this total, only lutein and zeaxanthin another type of antioxidant) are found within the cornea or eye lens. If there were no important role for it, the consumed lutein would not need to be carried to the cornea !

In early studies concerning eye diseases resulting from aging or "age related eye disease study" (AREDS) circa 1999-2000 there were numerous doubts voiced by renowned opthalmologists around the world. Now however. Science has opened a new chapter in eye care via food consumption. Imagine the surprise you'll receive if one day while visiting your regular optician and he advises you to obeserve a certain food regimen / supplement so that you can manage the health of your eyes better IThere too may be a high likelihood that the functional formulation recommended to you could turn out to be the very ingredients as found in B"Young™ Advanced Functional Beverage.

Lastly, remember to give proper care to you " window of your mind"!