New Research, New Hope

Have you noticed that your normal activities, such as reading, driving or watching television, aren't as enjoyable anymore? While it's easy to chalk these problems up to advancing age, you may actually be experiencing the onset of a serious and all-too-common condition known as age related macular degeneration. The leading cause of blindness in men and women over the age of 55, age related macular degeneration (also known as AMD or ARMD) actually affects more people than cataracts and glaucoma combined (Source: AMDF).

Is there any wonder that researchers have dedicated so much time and effort to this disease? Unfortunately, there exists no FDA-approved macular degeneration treatment or cure at this time. Therefore, any macular degeneration information is welcome. The best hope for those who believe they may have AMD is to receive medical attention, at the earliest opportunity possible. Because it's possible to provide age related macular degeneration patients with effective information and nutritional supplementation, early detection is crucial.

The lutein antioxidant supplementation trial (LAST), a groundbreaking year-long study conducted by the U.S. Government's Veteran's Administration, was very successful. In fact, Nutraceutical Sciences Institute's® (NSI®) OcuPower®, which was specially selected from a field of macular degeneration supplements for the study, now has the distinction of appearing in the April, 2004 edition of Optometry, Journal of the American Optometric Association. Improvement of vision and "dry" AMD symptoms were the goals of this study. Despite its occurrence as a natural molecule in spinach, kale, collard greens and other dark green and leafy vegetables, Americans receive woefully low amounts of the molecule lutein, with the average person receiving only 1-2 mg daily. Because low lutein intake is a major risk factor for AMD, LAST was designed to evaluate lutein's effects, both as part of the formula for the OcuPower vision supplement and alone.

Download the complete study: Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial)

One group took OcuPower, and this group displayed documented levels of improved vision, in a variety of areas, including contrast sensitivity or quality of vision. According to researchers, these findings show that OcuPower's formulation of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, together with just the right amount and form of lutein, is very effective for improving vision in patients with age related macular degeneration. Even more exciting was a trend towards reduced mortality and major cardiovascular problems for OcuPower patients. In fact, there were absolutely zero deaths and zero major cardiovascular problems for OcuPower patients, compared to lutein and placebo that had numerous deaths and major cardiovascular problems. Deaths and cardiovascular problems are things you would expect, as the average age of the patients in the study was 76.

Vision Improvements with OcuPower

OcuPower has proven its effectiveness and safety with the publication of the LAST study. Further, OcuPower promotes overall vision, eye and whole body health. AMD not only leads to vision impairment and possible blindness, but can also rob you of your independence. And the uncertainty of just how bad it will get is the true threat of AMD.

Perhaps it would be more effective to let you put a human face to this insidious condition. Five years ago, during a routine eye examination, Sam Calucci was diagnosed with a severe case of age related macular degeneration. Sam, a World War II veteran, decided to become a participant in the LAST study. He was amazed to find that his vision had actually improved in various areas. And to give further proof to the power of OcuPower, Sam decided to take a lutein-only product, and found that his new visual improvements were disappearing. He quickly returned to taking the normal amount of OcuPower, and today, Sam is a happy and robust 84-year old man with 20/20 vision!

AMD Risk Factors and Symptoms

In AMD, the eye's macula, which is responsible for "straight-ahead" activities (reading, driving and recognizing faces), is targeted and slowly broken down. The sharp, central vision required for these activities is then blurred, until finally, vision disappears. Logically, the risk of AMD, which is not painful, increases with age, and usually affects people in their 60s and 70s. For some, AMD may proceed slowly, with little noticeable change. For others, it may progress quickly, with total vision loss in both eyes.

Among the 2 forms -- "wet macular degeneration" and "dry macular degeneration" --the more common dry form of AMD was the focus of the LAST study. Affecting approximately 85-90% of AMD patients, dry (also known as atrophic) AMD occurs when the macula's light-sensitive cells slowly break down. This leads to the most common symptom, a growing blurred spot in the center of the affected eye. If you notice that you need extra light for common tasks, or if you find it harder to recognize faces, you may be developing dry AMD. Other warning signs are: if straight lines appear distorted, color's perception diminishes or changes, or if the center of vision appears more distorted than the rest of the scene. There may also be drusen, yellow deposits under the retina. Usually detectable by an eye care professional, only those eyes with large drusen are at risk for AMD.

Dry AMD may only affect one eye, allowing you to still see fine detail, read, and drive. However, there may be a variety of functional limitations, including limited night or central vision. Noticeable vision changes are usually only detected when dry AMD affects both eyes. If you begin to notice visual blurriness, you should receive a comprehensive dilated eye exam from an eye care professional. In fact, AMD's first indicator may be if you or your eye doctor notices that your vision is declining during a routine eye exam.

Risk Factors for AMD

• Age
• Obesity
• Family history
• Race
• Gender
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• Junk Food

OcuPower - A Complete Multi-Vitamin With a Focus on Sight and Vision

OcuPower has gained recognition among ophthalmologists and optometrists, who have relied on it for years as a macular degeneration vision aid, and with very positive results. OcuPower contains a patented formula of 39 nutrients, in their optimal amounts and forms. Despite its occurrence as a natural molecule in spinach, kale, collard greens and other dark green and leafy vegetables, Americans receive woefully low amounts of the molecule lutein, with the average person receiving only 1-2 mg daily. For that reason, OcuPower has been formulated with 10 mg of FloraGlo® lutein - 40 times higher than the store-bought once-a-day multi-vitamins.

OcuPower also contains 160 mg of standardized bilberry. Alpha lipoic acid, high levels of a superior vitamin C called Ester-C®, and 35 other nutrients make this formulation effective for vision support, as well as for general health. OcuPower is a patented, clinically proven supplement that is now our best-selling multi-vitamin. So clearly, the product's success speaks for itself. For more information about the OcuPower multi-vitamin, click here.