BILBERRY-GRAPESEEDCLASSIC SERIES FROM AOR Bilberry-GrapeSeed from AOR is a standardized Swedish bilberry and grape seed proanthocyanidin supplement. Bilberry is used in herbal medicine to help slow the progression of disorders of the eye, such as diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy and macular degeneration. In addition, Bilberry-GrapeSeed helps to relieve symptoms related to non-complicated chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), such as sensation of swelling, heaviness and tingling of the legs. Bilberry-GrapeSeed also provides antioxidants for the maintenance of good health. [VCAPS]
1 VCAP CONTAINS: Swedish Bilberry 100mg (Vaccinium myrtillus) Extract (Standardized to 36% anthocyanosides)   Grape Seed Extract 150mg (Standardized to 85% oligomeric proanthocyanidins)       Other Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose.   Capsule: hypromellose, water.
PRODUCT FORMAT: 120 Vcaps IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Contains no wheat, gluten, corn, nuts, dairy, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, or any animal byproduct. See cautions below.   TO FIND OUT MORE, READ: Eye Health Aging Heart Health Articles by a Naturopathic doctor.		PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:   Helps maintain normal cellular health   Optimizes blood vessel health     Helps protect DNA from harmful toxins   Eye Health   Cardiovascular and Blood Vessel Health   Antioxidant Support   100% vegetarian   DOSAGE: Take one or two capsules daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.
MANUFACTURED BY: AOR Clinical dosage and therapeutic specialty supplements recommended by practitioners for their purity, potency, and effectiveness.  > view other products from AOR

Benefits of Bilberry
The components of Bilberry that exert its powerful biological actions are polyphenols called anthocyanins (a.k.a. anthocyanidins) and anthocyanosides. Anthocyanidins are antioxidants, which capture free radicals to prevent cellular damage. They also bind very tightly with collagenous structures in a 5:1 ratio, strengthening the collagen by 10 times against collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down collagen). The applications of Bilberry extracts are incredible, from disease prevention to athletic performance enhancement.

Improving vision

Night vision. Bilberry improves night vision by stimulating the production of rhodopsin, also called eye purple, in the retina. The anthocyans are precursors to the rhodopsin, which is an essential element for night vision.

Cataracts and macular degeneration. Today, growing evidence indicates that free radicals cause cataracts. That means that antioxidants may prevent them.

Diabetic eye damage. The increased production of rhodopsin, combined with bilberry's capillary-protective effect, work together to improve eye integrity.

Eye fatigue. Bilberry helps regenerate rhodopsin (retina's pigment). It improves circulation and the flow of nutrients to the eye. Its powerful antioxidants protect against the toxins in polluted air and possible radiation damage from the computer screen.

Circulatory effects
Bilberry interacts directly with collagen fibers, increasing the cross-link between them. Because of this effect on collagen, bilberry strengthens capillary permeability, preventing leakage. It can therefore dramatically improve peripheral circulation. The strengthening of capillaries helps prevent the aggravation of varicose veins. People prone to bruising will benefit from this also.

Beneficial Effects of Grapeseed Extract
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are oligomeric flavonoids. OPCs are found in foods such as grapes, pine bark and cranberries. The grape seed extract used in AOR's Bilberry-GrapeSeed contains 85% OPC's, making it a highly concentrated and highly effective extract. OPCs are powerful antioxidants and have a variety of beneficial properties.

Protects LDL from oxidation: Oxidation of LDL is implicated in the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
Antiallergic / Anti-inflammatory activity: OPCs inhibit mast cell degradation (hence prevent the release of histamine, bradykinin and serotonin), which mediates inflammatory and allergic reactions, edema, and other conditions. OPCs also inhibit hyaluronidase activation. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that attacks various tissues during inflammation and is implicated in the various vascular problems and even the spread of cancer cells!
Vascular protection: OPCs have a particular affinity for the arterial walls and thus offer vascular protection. OPCs have been shown to prevent the weakening of arterial cell walls. In Europe, grapeseed extracts have been prescribed to prevent capillary fragility, to heal varicose veins and hemorrhoids and to prevent edema.

Bilberry and Grapeseed Facts

The flavonoids in Bilberry-grapeseed are particularly proficient in supporting visual function.  This is because anthocyanosides have a high affinity for the tissues of the eye.  In the membrane of the retina of the eye is pigment known as retinal purple;  it is partly responsible for night vision, but is at the same time extremely sensitive to sunlight.  Once retinal purple is exposed to sunlight, it can take up to 30 minutes for it to regenerate.  The flavonoids in Bilberry-Grapeseed help to regenerate retinal purple much quicker, thus optimizing night vision.

Anthocyanosides also assist in the more general functions of supporting microcirculation and quenching free radicals as well as reinforcing the structure of the retinal capilliaries which can often become fragile with age.  This is especially important sinc ethere is growing evidence implication free radicals as the cause of cataracts and macular degeneration;  Bilberry-Grapseed contains the nutrients needed to reduce free radical damage to the eyes.

Eye Health

The eye is a small sphere with a diameter of about 1 inch.  Only one sixth of the eye is visible, the rest is protected in the orbital socket.  There are many accessory structures of the eye including the eyebrows, eyelids, conjunctiva, lacrimal apparatus and eye muscles.  Only a small part of the eye is dedicated to photoreception.  This area is on the posterior wall on the inside the eyeball and is called the retina.  It contains rods, for dim light and peripheral vision, and cones, for bright light and colour vision.  The lens is situated at the front of the eyeball and its job is to focus light on the retina.  Glasses are used to help focus light through the lens when the accommodation of the lens is inadequate or overcompensating.  As we age, the muscles that move the lens decrease functioning making the use of glasses or contacts more common among older individuals.

There two main causes of degenerative eye conditions:

• Free radical damage

• Decreased blood flow to the eye

Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage.  This can cause cell death, alterations in genetic material and autoimmune reactions to damaged cells.  Food, water and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are the major contributors of free radicals that build up in the eye.

Cautions: Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms worsen. For non-complicated CVI, use for a minimum of 1 month to see beneficial effects. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 3 months. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.