| ess of blood vessels is often seen during the | | | | the brain, heart, eyes, stomach, veins in the legs, |
| aging process when blood vessels become fragile. | | | | and actually anywhere in the body have the |
| Dark bilberry fruit has been shown to reduce | | | | potential to leak. In many regions bilberry extract |
| blood vessel permeability, improve capillary | | | | has been used to support individuals with |
| resistance, and provide antioxidant properties, to | | | | microcirculatory disorders including varicose veins, |
| scavenge free radicals. One way to fight the | | | | atherosclerosis, and degenerative retinal conditions |
| aging process of the body is to promote health in | | | | including macular degeneration and cataracts. |
| the vascular system by eating nourishing foods, | | | | Diabetes, atherosclerosis, poor diet, lack of |
| exercising, and learning how to handle stress. | | | | exercise, smoking, excess alcohol and an inability |
| Evidence shows that eating five servings or more | | | | to handle stress can all contribute to blood vessel |
| a day of fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk | | | | disorders and cause the capillary’s |
| of heart disease, cataracts, and some other | | | | membrane to thicken, therefore, increasing |
| disorders that related to blood vessel health. The | | | | capillary permeability causing edema and leaking of |
| dark pigment in fruits and vegetables has many | | | | fluid. |
| health advantages. | | | | During the aging process, oxidative damage |
| A lot of people think that the only way to | | | | occurs by free radicals in the eyes, which then |
| improve blood vessel health is to reduce blood | | | | causes a loss in the transparency of the lens. |
| cholesterol, minimizing the risk of a heart attack. | | | | Symptoms that occur because of this are blurred |
| That is an essential goal, but blood vessels should | | | | vision, increased sensitivity to glare, reduced visual |
| also have strength and integrity to maintain their | | | | acuity, color perception, and light sensitivity. When |
| health in order to carry nutrients and oxygen | | | | the eye structure begins to break down, vision |
| through the body to feed the tissues. As we age, | | | | impairment and cataract formation result. Bilberry |
| eye function begins to diminish and causes a lot of | | | | extract has been shown to improve vision and |
| people to fear that they are losing their eyesight. | | | | twilight vision, helping the retina adapt to darkness |
| The blood vessels decline in function, but there | | | | and glare. |
| are other factors such as the reduction of | | | | With aging, a gradual degenerative process is |
| arrestin and rhodopsin. Arrestin is a protein while | | | | experienced which is caused by free radical |
| rhodopsin is the light sensitive pigment that can be | | | | damage to our body’s genetic material, |
| found in the retina. The dark pigment of fruits and | | | | cell membranes, and tissues. Free radicals attack |
| vegetables is extremely important to blood | | | | blood vessel endothelial cells, and they begin to |
| vessels and the health of the structures and | | | | rupture. Antioxidants help to prevent AMD and |
| proteins of the eyes. Brilliant colored fruits and | | | | reduce the damage of the retina’s photo |
| vegetables may prevent strokes, heart disease, | | | | receptors. In summary, blood vessel health is an |
| and help long-term vision because they improve | | | | important part of age management. By improving |
| integrity of blood vessels. | | | | diet, managing stress, exercising, and |
| Bilberry fruit has been studied for over 40 years | | | | supplementing with bilberry extract, one can |
| for its supportive effects on blood vessel health, | | | | promote the health of blood vessels throughout |
| blood circulation, and lymph flow. Blood vessels in | | | | the body, and therefore, support the eyes. |