Composition 
One tablet contains: 100 mg of PhycoPlus® (extract of Klamath lake blue-green algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), 100 mg of lutein 5% (5 mg of pure lutein) from marigold flower (Tagetes erecta L.), 50 mg of beta-carotene 10% (5 mg of pure beta-carotene) from Blakeslea trispora (833.3 µg of vitamin A – 104% of recommended dietary allowance (RDA).
Excipients
Thickeners: acacia gum and maize starch, stabilizer: vegetal magnesium stearate.
Information on nutritional and energy value
One tablet (0.5 g) contains 0.07 g of proteins, 0.2 g of carbohydrates, 0.015 g of fats; 5.085 kJ (1.2 kcal).
Use
It is recommended for adults to take 1-2 tablets per day during meals. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Food supplement should not be used as food substitute.
OCUVAL supplements nutrition with biologically active substances that are easily absorbed, and necessary for normal organism activities.
The active substances of the food supplement Ocuval:
Help to reduce symptoms of vision pressure and fatigue,
Reduce the probability of occurrence of “dry eyes” syndrome,
Reduce the probability of cataract occurrence,
Help to protect the retina of the eye, the yellow spot (macula) and the lens from damage,
Protect eyes and the whole organism from free radicals,
Help to avoid vitamin A lack symptoms,
Have anti-inflammatory properties.
The food supplement OCUVAL is recommended, if:
Vision is weakened,
You have eye diseases,
You spend much time at a computer,
You perform work requiring great thoroughness and accuracy,
You feel eye fatigue,
You feel symptoms of eye dryness,
You wish to reduce the probability of cataract occurrence,
You wish to safely add vitamin A to your diet,
You consume food that lacks vitamins and minerals.
During pregnancy and lactation it is necessary to consult a doctor or a pharmacist before taking the food supplement Ocuval.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store in a dark, dry place, in temperatures not exceeding 25 °C.
Manufacturer: UAB “Valentis”, Moletu pl. 11, LT-08409 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Country of origin: Italy.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
There are various reasons of sight disorders. These may be contagious and non-contagious diseases (for example, hypertonic disorder, atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc.), mechanical damages, metabolism disorders, lack of vitamins and minerals, inheritance, polluted environment, intense visual work, ageing, etc.
The substances contained in the food supplement OCUVAL work integrally and help the organism to fight with these negative factors and strengthen vision.
OCUVAL contains dry extract of blue-green algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae). These algae naturally grow in Klamath Lake (Oregon, USA) in unique conditions, in an especially pure lake of alpine plateau, the bottom of which is covered by mineral layers. Rivers and springs of volcanic origin from mountain vicinities flow into the lake. Sunny weather (300 days per year) provides outstanding conditions for photosynthesis, and cold winters force algae to produce especially important fat acids Omega 3 and Omega 6. These blue-green algae have been used as food supplement for more than 20 years. Beta-carotene phycocyanine that has anti-inflammatory properties is a very important active substance of these blue-green algae. Besides, there are many biologically active, easily assimilated substances in the blue-green algae: proteins, consisting of 20 individual amino acids, including those participating in brain activity (phenylalanine, tryptophan and trypsin), 30 minerals, the whole spectrum of important vitamins, including vitamins of B group and the vitamin K that strengthens immunity, polysaccharides, fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6), chlorophyll, "cleansing" and reducing quantity of toxins in the blood, as well as beta-carotene and other carotenoids that are especially easy assimilated in the organism.
Reserves of vitamins, minerals and other biologically active substances, especially important for eyes and the whole body, are renewed while using the blue-green algae extract. The extract substances are characterized by stronger anti-oxidative properties than those of vitamins C and Е; therefore they protect the eyes and the whole body from harmful influence of free radicals. Besides, they reduce the production of body substances participating in inflammatory processes.
Lutein and beta-carotene contained in OCUVAL are 2 of almost 10 carotenoids, circulating in human bloodstream. The organism does not produce these substances, thus, they need to be received with food or using food supplements. Lutein and beta-carotene are strong antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals. They protect the central part of the eye – the retina, known as the yellow spot (macula), from harmful influence of free radicals and filter blue-colour rays that can damage the macula, the retina and the lens. It is determined that use of greater doses of lutein reduces cataract risk (an eye disease during which the lens loses its transparency, and dregs are formed). It is supposed that insufficient quantity of lutein in the macula is one of macular degeneration factors and, probably, one of the reasons of adult blindness. Smoking reduces concentration of carotenoids in the blood serum, and this causes the loss of macula pigment density by half. It increases the risk of yellow spot degeneration. It is determined that inhabitants of developed countries receive only 1.5 mg of lutein per day with food, however, protective effect is received when using at least 5-6 mg of lutein.
Beta-carotene, like lutein, belongs to the group of carotenoids. Natural beta-carotene, i.e. beta-carotene derived from plants, is perfectly assimilated by the organism. It is determined that this substance has antioxidant properties as well as positively influences the eye retina when senile degeneration of the yellow spot begins. Beta-carotene is a provitamin of vitamin A; it is transformed to vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is very important for vision as it is necessary for synthesis of rodopsin. Chemical division of the rodopsin molecule happens during each irritating stimulus of light. At the same time, new molecules of rodopsin are formed from proteins and vitamin A during biosynthesis. Thus, vitamin A helps the eye retina to distinguish light, darkness, and colours. It is very important for people who spend a lot of time in front of televisions, computers, and whose eyes have to react to contrasting irritating stimuli of light almost every second. Thus, the need for vitamin A increases. One of the symptoms of the lack of vitamin A is deterioration of vision at night, etc.
Vitamin A influences the formation of film of teardrops that moistens the eye. When the production of tears reduces or the structure of the eye moistening film of teardrops changes, the cornea is insufficiently moistened and protected from environmental factors, and this causes eye fatigue or eye inflammation. Vitamin A is especially important for vision and normal function of the eyes, however, too high dozes may be harmful for the organism. Additional usage of provitamin beta-carotene has no risk of harmful influence to the organism, unlike vitamin A, because it is impossible to over-dose beta-carotene.
Scientific researches proving efficiency
The results of a survey research involving 36,644 men that lasted eight years were published in 1999. It was determined during the research that the risk of cataract operation was 19% lower for men who took food containing high levels of lutein more than twice a week.
A similar eight-year research was performed with 50,828 women, too; it was determined that consumption of carotenoids and vitamin A reduced the probability of cataract operation even up to 39%.
Similar research was repeated with 492 women in 2001, and its conclusions were similar: carotenoids reduce the probability of cataract occurrence.
During survey research in 1994 the influence of carotenoids (including lutein) on 356 individuals with sharp senile degenerative changes of macula was analyzed, comparing them with 520 individuals without such changes. It was determined that individuals without macular changes used more carotenoid-enriched food (up to 6 portions per day) than those who had senile macular changes.
It was determined in the clinical research involving 21 volunteer in 2000 that consumption of blue-green algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) stimulated movement of immune cells in the body and had immune-modulating effect.
OCUVAL is a balanced food supplement intended for people, who wish to retain good vision.
Prepared by doctor-ophthalmologist Ausra Butkiene.
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Literature:
Age-related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamin C, E, and beta carotene for age related cataract and vision loss. AREDS report no. 9. Arch Ophthalmol 2001:119; 1439-1452.
Benedetti S et al. Antioxidant properties of a novel phycocyanin extract from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Life Sci. 2004; 75:2353-2362.
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Brown L, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men. Am J Clin Nutr: 1999; 70:517-524.
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Krylov et al. Retrospective Epidemiological Study using Medical Record to Determine Which Diseases are Improved by Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Supplements, submitted. 2001.
Landrum JT, Bone RA, Kilburn MD. The macular pigment: possible role in protection from age-related macular degeneration. Adv Pharmacol. 1997; 38:537-556.
Reddy et al. Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2001. 277 (3).
Seveilla I, Aguirre N. "Study of the effects of Super Blue Green Algae™ on the nutritional status and school performance of first, second and third grade children attending the Monsenor Velez School in Nandaime, Nicaragua.," Cell Tech, 1995.
Skidmore-Roth L. Mosby‘s Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements, 3 ed, 2006, p.105-107.
West S et al: Are antioxidants or supplements protective for age-related macular degeneration? Arch Ophthalmol 112; 222-227, 1994.
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