Blue Skies Macular Support

Blue Skies™ Macular Support with Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Additional Information about Blue Skies™ Macular Support with Lutein and Zeaxanthin

The health of your eyes determines the quality of your sight.  Most people are aware of the cornea (the transparent membrane that covers the face of the eye), the retina (the light-sensitive membrane at the rear of the eye that is connected to the brain by the optic nerve), the iris (the ring-shaped membrane behind the cornea—the colored part of the eye), and the pupil (the circular opening in the iris), but many people do not know much or anything about the macula.

The macula is a small spot (yellow colored) in the central part of the retina which is composed primarily of lutein and zeaxanthin.  Lutein and Zeaxanthin are types of carotenoids found in yellow and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables.  The eye uses macular pigment to absorb short-wave light, which helps protect your eye from damage.  The macula is also responsible for your fine acuity vision—the part of your vision that allows you to read, sew, and do other close-range tasks.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are extremely important to this fine acuity vision.  In addition to yellow and yellow-orange plant sources, green plants also contain these two caretonoids.  They just hide them.  Gree leaves are a good example, which reveal their yellow during the fall.  Carotenoids are not the only factor in maintaining eye health.  Amino acids are also important, deriving from the foods we ingest.

Blue Skies™ Macular Support contains many of the most essential nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids that contribute to eye health. As discussed above, zeaxanthin is a major component of macular pigment, and is believed to help protect the eye from harmful ultraviolet rays.  The lutein in Blue Skies™ comes from the marigold flower. Cryptoxanthin is derived from carotene, and is part of the yellow carotenoid family.  All these are helpful in protecting the eye.

Vitamin A is another important contributor to eye health. Retinal, a form of vitamin A, is essential for good night vision. Beta-Carotene is found in spinach and other leafy, green plants, and has the highest conversion rate to vitamin A, making it an excellent source of that important vitamin.  Lycopene is found in red fruits like watermelon and red grapefruit.

N-Acetyl Cysteine is a by-product of the amino acid cysteine, and is believed to help the body produce antioxidants. L-Glutathione – is thought to help protect the lens of the eye by protecting the tissues surrounding it.  The final pieces of the puzzle are zinc, copper, and antioxidants. Copper helps proper collagen formation, and is an important protein in bones, skin, and connective tissue.  Zinc supports good conversion of beta carotene to Vitamin A, and is found in high concentration in the eyes.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the eye from dangerous free radicals.  Vitamin E works with vitamin C in this protective function.

*This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent, or treat any disease.

**EyeComplete™ is a trademark of Highland Laboratories. Ocu Support™ is a trademark of NOW® Foods.