Macushield 180 Caps

More than any other tissue in the body, the ocularlens and retina are continually exposed to oxygen andintense light radiation. Both light and oxygen cancreate free radicals that play havoc with membranelipids of visual cells. Experts believe that theuncontrolled generation of free radicals in the eyescan ultimately lead to macular degeneration andcataracts. Therefore, ocular tissue relies on a strongantioxidant defense system to protect them from freeradical damage.Extracts of bilberry and Ginkgo biloba, green tea,rutin, quercetin, and hesperidin are a rich source offlavonoids that provide potent antioxidant defense inretinal visual cells and help maintain healthyvascularization in ocular tissue.Glutathione and selenium are essential componentsfor healthy activity of the antioxidant enzymeglutathione peroxidase which is abundant in healthyeyes. Glutathione peroxidase levels, however, declinewith advancing age, and an adequate dietary supplyof glutathione, its precursor N-acetyl-L-cysteine, andselenium may help maintain healthy levels of thisimportant enzyme.Beta-carotene serves at least two purposes for theeyes. It is a valuable precursor for vitamin A whichfunctions in the retinal cells as a light receptor. Betacarotene,as well as other carotenoids inMacushield™, such as lutein and lycopene, are alsoimportant antioxidants in the lens and retina.Zinc is not only essential for normal visual signaltransduction in the retina, but also is part of many ofthe enzymes involved in vitamin A dependent lightreactions in retinal cells. Moreover, zinc, as well as copper and manganese, are essential cofactors ofsuperoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme thatremoves potentially dangerous superoxide radicals inthe visual cells, the lens, and other tissues.Taurine, the most abundant free amino acid in oculartissue, is thought to help stabilize neural membranesin retinal cells and modulate photoreceptor activity.