The Role Of Inflammation In Eye Diseases
Chronic Inflammation occurs when there is an imbalance of free radicals and anti-oxidants in the body. Anti-oxidants have the unique ability to turn a free radical (damaged cell) back to a normal cell by sacrificing part of its molecular structure. Free radicals are caused through factors such as stress, alcohol, radiation, chemical exposure and obesity. Free radicals can also occur in the eye due to ultraviolet light exposure which can lead to cataract formation and retinal degeneration
If left unchecked, the free radicals cause inflammation as the body’s immune system attempts to fix the problems they are creating at a cellular level. When the immune system becomes overworked (and this worsens with age) it can become damaged. When this happens, the result can be chronic inflammation. This is when the immune system starts to attack healthy cells and not just the damaged ones (auto immune disorder)
Not only does system wide inflammation lead to degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts, it is the precursor to other chronic diseases such as cancer & heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. The good news is that we can improve our health at the cellular level by increasing our anti-inflammatory activities through increasing our anti-oxidant intake. This can reduce the damaging effects of cellular damage, inflammation as well as boosting the immune system.
Valasta produce and promote astaxanthin (pronounced asta-zan-thin), as it is the world’s strongest anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, 6000 times stronger than vitamin C, it works a lot faster than eating fruit vegetables.
Astaxanthin also has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, which means its healing molecules can actually enter the brain. This ability means that it can actually enter the eye itself and start fighting free radicals and inflammation inside the eye. Very few supplements can actually do this.
Astaxanthin has been shown to have the capability of protecting the retina of the eye from oxidative cell damage over time. The lens of the eye is responsible for focusing incoming light onto the retina which transmits signals for vision up to the brain. In the centre of the retina is the macula, which contains the highest number of photoreceptors for visual acuity. Oxidation which occurs when sunlight exposure gradually degrades the retinal membranes and leads to destruction and damage within the cells.
Astaxanthin supplementation could be particularly effective in treating and preventing a wide host of different eye diseases, including:
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Age related macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Venous occlusion and central retinal arterial occlusion
- Various inflammatory eye diseases such as scleritis, keratitis, retinitis, and more
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