Black Currant Extract
Plant Original: Black Currant
Part Used: Fruits
Specification: Anthocyanins 10% 25% By UV
CAS No.: 68606-81-5
Molecular Formula: C27H31O16
Molecular Weight: 611.53
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Analysis Items |
Specifications |
Appearance |
Fine Dark Violet Powder |
Odor & Taste |
Characteristic |
Particle Size |
NLT 99% through 80 mesh |
Solubility |
Good soluble in water |
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Assay |
NLT 25% Anthocyanins |
Loss on Drying |
NMT 5.0% |
Ash Content |
NMT 5.0% |
Extract Solvents |
Ethanol & Water |
Black Currant Extract is benefit to Vision Health Problem
Healthy vision is one of the most valuable, and often most taken for granted, assets. It influences how people learn, communicate, work, play and interact with the world. Loss and/or impairment of vision negatively affects not only individuals, but also on the people who are close to them.
Reduced vision in adults can often result in isolation, family stress and may increase the risk of developing other health conditions. This results from the inability to read, drive, prepare food, watch television and attend to personal affairs.
Currently, over 95 million people in the USA are affected by some form of vision ailment. Of these, there are three that make up the leading causes of blindness in the USA: Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration. Collectively these conditions afflict over 12 million people in the US.
The Leading Reasons for Poor Vision and Eye Health
Many vision health problems are age related and thought to result from the progressive regular damage eyes undergo throughout a lifetime. This damage originates from various sources including: damage caused by dry eye conditions, dangerous compounds called free radicals, decreased blood circulation efficiency and, a buildup of waste products in the eye area, a lack of permeability or disruption of small blood vessels and eye fatigue. Fortunately, the more researchers learn about these health issues the better equipped they are to prevent or treat them.
Preventing Destruction of Healthy Cells by Stopping Free Radicals
Free Radicals are harmful compounds that strip electrons from (oxidize) parts of healthy cells . This affects the cells normal structure and function and can even lead to cell death. Over time this 'oxidative' damage accumulates and leads to serious health conditions. One study, from Saint Mary's Eye Clinic in Seoul, found a specific free radical type, Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), was able to penetrate the blood brain barrier and directly damaged retinal epithelium pigments in the eye - a leading cause of Macular Degeneration.The damage caused by this dangerous free radical is also known to force eye muscle contractions and is a key contributor to eye fatigue.
Anti-oxidants are natural compounds that neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative damage. Studies have shown New Zealand blackcurrant extracts contain anthocyanins, which have the highest anti-oxidant strength among many fruits. Various studies, including one from the Hirosaki Universities School of Medicine, have demonstrated the ability of blackcurrant anthocyanins to specifically localize to the eye area making them perfect for preventing oxidative damage from H2O2 there. In fact, many medical professionals recommend blackcurrant anthocyanin supplements to help treat and reduce the risk of developing free radical related eye disorders including Floaters, Glaucoma, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration.
Free Radicals Strip Electrons From (Oxidize) Nearby Normal Cells. If Left Unchecked, this Can Cause Eye Disease Such As Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Glaucoma and Floaters
Anti-Oxidants, Such As Blackcurrant Anthocyanins, Provide Electrons to Free Radicals Preventing them From Oxidizing Nearby Cells
Correcting Dry Eye Problems Naturally
Dry Eye is a common problem affecting millions of people every year. It usually occurs when natural tear production is reduced or when tears evaporate too quickly. This problem not only causes great discomfort but can also lead to inflammation, infection and free radical creation. Potentially causing serious long term damage to eye health.
Normal tear production helps the eye retain moisture for optimal function and comfort. Tears also contain potent natural disinfectants that keep bacteria at bay. Additionally, they wash away waste and impurities helping to maintain optimal eye health.
Supplemental GLA in Blackcurrant Seed Oil is able to address the underlying conditions that cause dry eye. This is because GLA is a key signaling component in natural tear formation. GLA helps maintain corneal surface smoothness, suppress surface inflammation, relieve irritation plus, enhance tear production and tear stability (via the lacrimal and meibomian glands respectively).
Muscle Control in the Eyes Lenses, the Main Cause of Visual Fatigue
With eye muscle movements that occur as fast as 1/100ths of a second , eye fatigue (or eye strain) is a serious problem that commonly affects many people. Most notably, eye fatigue has been identified as a leading cause of free radical creation and disrupted blood circulation. It occurs when the cilliary muscles, responsible for controlling the eyes movements, are overworked and tired. These muscles are constantly active (even while asleep) and become fatigued when required to work hard for prolonged periods. Symptoms of eye fatigue include:
Sore or irritated eyes
Difficulty focusing
Dry or watery eyes
Blurred or double vision
Increased sensitivity to light
Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back
Daily stress is one of the most common causes for eye fatigue. This includes personal or work related stresses and, stress from external sources like noise, smells, pollution, food, drink and even light. Other common causes of eye fatigue include: watching TV, working on a computer or smart device, staying awake to long, driving and straining to see under poorly lit conditions. Unfortunately, the demands of modern living mean exposure to stress and other factors are often unavoidable. This can lead not only to eye fatigue but the potential long term damage associated with it.
Clinical research, carried out at Meji University, has demonstrated the ability of blackcurrant extracts (which are rich in compounds known as anthocyanins) to treat the underlying causes of eye fatigue and alleviate the associated symptoms (such as neck and shoulder pain). These extract achieve this by directly acting on the cilliarry muscles in the eye allowing them to relax.
Improving Cell Permeability and Blood Vessel Protection
The area within the eyes retina has the body's highest concentration of blood vessels. These vessels are needed to deliver nutrients that are involved with the eyes many complex functions and health needs. Lack of nutrition leads to eye irritation and problems with vision. Prolonged lack of efficient nutrient delivery may cause serious eye damage and health complications such as Floaters, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration.
Preventing the disruption of small blood vessels in the eye and maintaining correct cell permeability is critical to ensure the efficient delivery of nutrients. Fortunately, blackcurrant anthoctanin extracts have high anti-oxidant power and are able to pass through the blood brain barrier to access the eye. This makes them ideal for protecting blood vessels and cells from damage (in particular, damage from dangerous free radicals such as H2O2).
Elevating Blood Circulation for Efficient Delivery of Nutrients and the Prevention of Harmful Waste Accumulation
In addition to protecting cell permeability and blood vessels in the eye, correct blood circulation plays a key role in efficient nutrient delivery and waste product removal. Without correct blood circulation the eye does not receive the necessary nutrition and support to help maintain its proper function and health. It can also lead to an accumulation of unwanted byproducts and waste, produced naturally through cellular function, that can lead to eye health issues.
Lack of nutrition in the eye is associated with short term eye irritation and problems with vision. Over time, lack of nutrition may lead to more serious eye damage and long term eye health issues. The accumulation of waste products over time may lead to eye irritation and inflammation, and can even stimulate the production of harmful free radicals that can damage cells.
In addition to negatively affecting vision and causing discomfort, the effects of poor blood circulation can lead to serious eye health complications such as Floaters, Glaucoma, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration.
Improving blood flow to the eye has therefore been a top priority for many researchers. Recently, Japanese researchers at Hirosaki University demonstrated that patients suffering from glaucoma who received New Zealand blackcurrant anthocyanin supplements had significantly improved blood flow at the neuro-retinal rim of the optic nerve and in the peripapillary retina. These amazing results suggest that blackcurrant anthocyanins are a useful treatment for improving blood circulation to the eye. An effect that can directly contribute to both immediate and long-term eye health and function.
Immediate Vision and Eye Health Relief
1> Dry Eye Relief
The GLA in Blackcurrant Seed Oil directly contributes to natural and normal tear production. This corrects the underlying issues and provides symptom relief to sufferers of dry eye. Benefits include: reducing eye inflammation and irritation, preventing bacterial infection and washing away waste products and debris.
2> Cilliary muscle relaxation
Through their cilliary muscle relaxing activity (cilliary muscles are responsible for controlling the eyes movements throughout the day and night), blackcurrant Anthocyaninsdirectly relieve eye fatigue and its associated symptoms (dry eyes, sensitivity to light, sore neck and shoulders etc.)
3>Improved blood circulation
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins improve blood circulation to the eyes helping them operate optimally while also assisting with the relief of eye fatigue
4>Waste product removal
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins promote blood flow that helps clear eyes of unwanted byproducts. This is an important factor in eye health as build up of these products leads to irritation and inflammation
5>Rhodopsin regeneration
Blackcurrant anthocyanins promote higher regeneration rates of Rhodopsin. A compound found naturally in the eye responsible for the correct capturing light (a critical part of normal vision).
6>Refractory power
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins improve the refractory power of eyes. This helps with focusing on objects that are both near and far away.
7>Dark adaptation and Night vision
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins help eyes adjust to changing light conditions improving both dark adaptation and night vision (two aspects of vision that commonly become less efficient with age).
Long-term Vision Health and Disease Prevention
1> Anti-oxidant activity
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins directly neutralize free radicals and the damage they cause. Preventing an accumulation of damage in this way helps reduce the risk of many dangerous eye health conditions. (Note: blackcurrants rank highest among many fruit for their anti-oxidant power)
2> Dry eye relief
Rather than simply treating the symptoms of dry eye, the GLA content found within blackcurrant seed oil addresses the underlying causes of dry eye. This helps maintain long term helath of the eye and prevents the accumulation of damage from dry eye becoming a more serious eye health condition (such as macular degeneration or cataracts)
3> Cilliary muscle relaxation
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins allow key muscles in the eye (cilliary muscles) to relax. This helps relieve eye fatigue which, if otherwise left unattended, causes short term discomfort and potential long term damage (including increasing the risk of Macular Degeneration through increased free radical generation)
4>Improved blood circulation
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins improve blood flowto the eye area. This helps ensure the efficient delivery of much needed nutrients for optimal eye function and health. Clinical evidence suggests improved blood flow to the eyes can relieve the symptoms and slow the progression of glaucoma in some patients.
5> Waste product removal
Blackcurrant Anthocyanins help prevent the dangerous build up of waste products around the eye by improving blood circulation to the retina. In doing so, Blackcurrant Anthocyanins lower the risk of long -term eye damage from free radicals (which are often generated in response to waste accumulation).