A standardised tomato extract, lutein, zeaxanthin, rosemary extract and synergistic micronutrient blend promotes retinal and macular health, helps to support the transport of lutein to the eye and works to o ffset the e ffects of ultraviolet rays and high energy visible light, says LycoRed.
Our proprietary blend of carotenoids, rosemary-derived carnosic acid, vitamins, and trace minerals helps to protect ageing eyes from the harmful e ects brought on by incidental radiation and oxidation. How? By
- better supporting overall eye health
- diminishing the harmful e ects of ultraviolet (UV) and high energy visiable light (HEV)
- ensuring that users have regular servings of the antioxidants vitamins C and E, as well as lycopene and lutein.
Changes in eyesight don’t happen all at once — it can take years for oxidative damage to accumulate. The ingredients in Lycoinvision were chosen for their unique ability to work together to support vision and healthy eyes during the ageing process.
Standardised Tomato Extract: Our whole-food extract is standardised with powerful phytonutrients, including lycopene, a carotenoid with the unique ability to protect lutein as it makes its way to the eye.
Lutein: A key antioxidant that is concentrated in the macula, this carotenoid filters out blue light and works to protect cells and tissues within the eye from oxidative damage.
Zeaxanthin: When combined with lutein, this antioxidant helps increase the density of pigment within the macula while also protecting the retina from UV light and oxidative stress.
Carnosic Acid: Sourced from rosemary leaves, this phytonutrient helps maintain a strong antioxidant defence while successfully penetrating the blood/brain barrier.
Copper and Zinc: Both of these trace minerals have been shown to support healthy vision and were included in the AREDS and AREDS2 studies.
Tocopherols: Vitamin E in this particular form has been shown to promote eye health.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are arguably the most-studied ingredients in eye health products; however, many formulators only focus on their bene fits and abilities as standalone ingredients. The following studies show that the beneficial e ffect of lutein and zeaxanthin is enhanced by the synergy that occurs when other tomato carotenoids and carnosic acid are also present.
In vivo and ex vivo formulation study
The combination of lutein, lycopene, and carnosic acid was found to interfere with key molecular processes responsible for the production of proin ammatory mediators and cytokines in stimulated macrophages. For example, production of the pro-in ammatory mediator TNF was synergistically inhibited after mouse peritoneal macrophages were pre-incubated for 24 hours with a combination of these ingredients (Figure 1a: The effect of our ingredients and their combinations on the inflammatory marker TNF1).
In vivo and in vitro studies on carnosic acid
Multiple studies have demonstrated the antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of carnosic acid in the retina. Research suggests that this nutrient’s ability to penetrate the blood/brain barrier allows it to reach the eye and protect the outer retina from oxidative stress (Figure 1b: Protective effects of carnosic acid in models of oxidative stress and light damage).
Carnosic acid prevented loss of photoreceptor function (Electroretinogram responses) in the face of light-damaging insults in a rat model.
High levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula provide photoprotection; however, these antioxidants require regeneration. Lycopene protects the xanthophyll carotenoids from oxidising and converts them back to their parent molecule. In this way, it performs a recycling action that supports greater accumulation of these carotenoids in the macula with time.
