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Home >
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Supplement Articles
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Supplement Articles |
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BILBERRY
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Bilberry assists with
vision problems and high
blood sugar levels ... |
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BILBERRY |
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Bilberry contains
potent antioxidants
for the eyes |
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Bilberry became
valued as a
medicinal agent
during World War II
when British pilots
claimed that eating
bilberries improved
their visual acuity,
night vision and
ability to adapt to
glare. Scientific
studies have backed
up these
testimonials by
uncovering
bilberry’s
antioxidant
properties. Free
radicals are
unstable molecules
that in their bid to
become more stable
must bump into
healthy cells and
cause damage. |
Bilberry’s
antioxidant
properties
neutralize free
radicals and
therefore reduce
damage to vessels
all over the body,
including those in
the eye.
Cataracts are caused
by free radical
damage in the lens
of the eye and
therefore bilberry
can treat cataracts.
Other eye problems
that are also helped
by bilberry are:
macular
degeneration,
diabetic
retinopathy, night
blindness and
myopia.
Bilberry has
anti-aging
properties because
as an antioxidant it
protects the body
against
environmental
pollutants other
substances that and
lead to aging.
Bilberry also
stabilizes the
connective tissue
called collagen.
Thus it is
beneficial for
conditions of
collagen instability
in the vascular
system such as
varicose veins,
phlebitis and heart
disease. Finally,
bilberry inhibits
blood clotting and
can be useful to
increase circulation
in cases of
atherosclerosis and
diabetes.
The berries of the
bilberry plant
contain the greatest
concentration of the
medicinally active
ingredients,
anthocyanadins.
Supplements often
contain the whole
plant in
encapsulated form.
By purchasing
supplements
standardized to
anthocyanadins one
can be sure that
there are some dried
berries in the
formula. Bilberry
can be found in
formulas for
enhancing eye health
and are often
combined with other
antioxidants,
berries and herbs,
such as eyebright.
Bilberry should be
used with caution if
you are nursing or
pregnant. Bilberry
can interfere with
iron absorption and
should not be taken
at the same time as
iron supplements.
Bilberry may alter
blood sugar levels
and should be used
cautiously in
diabetics and
hypoglycemics. |
Bilberry–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Bilberry
berries and
entire
plant. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
Circulatory
insufficiency,
vision
problems,
high blood
sugar. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
160-240mg
daily,
standardized
to 25%
anthocyanosides.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Vitamin C,
bioflavinoids,
vitamin E. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for
products |
·
There is no
known
toxicity for
Bilberry.
·
Use caution
when using
bilberry and
diabetic or
blood-thinning
medication.
·
Use bilberry
with caution
when nursing
or pregnant.
·
Discontinue
the use of
bilberry 14
days prior
to surgery
or dental
work. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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