Natural Factors BetaCareAll 25,000iu - 90 Softgels

Natural Factors BetaCareAll - concentrated natural source of mixed carotenoids derived from the sea plant Dunaliella salina. D. salina is grown in the clear, clean waters near Whyhalla, Australia, and is harvested mechanically, without chemical additives or solvents. The mixed carotenoids in D. salina are very bioavailable and may be the best natural source of mixed carotenoids available in a nutritional supplement.

CAROTENOIDS

Carotenoids are a class of compounds that is related to vitamin A. The carotenes include betacarotene and Lycopene. Betcarotene is converted to vitamin A in the liver and is often used in lieu of vitamin A supplementation. It is not toxic and generally cannot be overdosed because the liver only converts what it needs into vitamin A. You can turn your skin slightly yellow by taking large quantities (or eating tons of carrots!) but this is not harmful to the body. Betacarotene that is not converted to vitamin A is a free radical scavenger. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Betacarotene can help support optimal cell growth, which can result from free radicals damaging cellular genetic material. It also protects the body against environmental pollutants other substances that and lead to aging. Lycopene is a carotenoid that functions as an antioxidant for the prostate gland and lowers the risk of prostate concerns.

Xanthophylls are another subgroup of carotenoids. They include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin work in the eye as antioxidants. Cataracts are caused by free radical damage of the lens of the eye and therefore lutein and zeaxanthin can treat cataracts. Studies show that they also protect the eye from damage and can reduce the incidence of eye disease such as macular degeneration.

The carotenoids are most effective when taken together in a complex. Use a natural betacarotene or carotenoid complex for the best results. Some companies extract carotenoid complex from sea algae. Absorption of carotenoids is inhibited by some medications including colchicine, mineral oil and some cholesterol lowering medications.

Eye Health

The eye is a very important sensory organ, which is shown by the fact that a large area of our brain is committed to taking in and understanding visual information. Up to 70% of all of the sensory receptors in the body are in the eyes. Problems with the eyes become more common as we age.

Free radical damage and reduced blood flow to the eye are common causes of degenerative eye conditions. 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.

The eyes reflect the overall health of the body. The vessels on the back of the eyeball are very small and fragile. Changes in them are often the first sign of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertensionand atheroclerosis. These conditions lead to decreased blood flow to the retina. Lack of oxygen and an accumulation of waste products eventually compromises vision. Poor diet, environmental toxins, medications and stress all decrease the body's ability to neutralize free radicals and maintain healthy vessels.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. It is the most common cause of blindness worldwide. Factors that predispose one to the development of cataracts are old age, diabetes, exposure to radiation or heavy metals, eye injury, the use of medications, like steroids, and heredity. The most common type of cataract is the senile cataract, which is the type that occurs with old age. It is believed to form after years of uncontrolled free radical damage in the eye. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. They bond with the cells of the different tissues in our bodies (in this case the eye) and cause a type of damage analogous to rusting of metal. Food, water and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are the major contributors of free radicals that build up in the eye, but now the depletion of nutrients from our food supply because of over farming also contributes.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in North America. It is characterized by a rise in the pressure inside the eyeball. The pressure causes compression of the optic nerve and permanent vision changes result. Acute glaucoma attacks can be triggered by stress or dilation of the pupil for long periods of time. The cause of acute glaucoma is a build up of fluid in the eye. Fluid build up occurs because of poor drainage or an increase in production. Chronic glaucoma results from waste accumulation in the eye, damage from previous eye problems, like cataracts, or the use of medications for high blood pressure and depression. Cortisone use can also lead to glaucoma.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual loss in North America. It is caused by free radical damage to the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision. Blurring in the centre of the visual field eventually makes detail work and reading impossible. The periphery of the visual field remains unaltered. Thus a kind of reverse tunnel vision results.