Bilberry Extract: Natural Wild Berry Supplement - Dosage, Reviews

Bilberry Extract is a natural wild bilberry supplement standardised to 25% anthocyanosides (or anthocyanins). These pigments are part of the family of flavonoids, the health benefits of which are widely documented, particularly for circulation. It is these anthocyanins which are primarily responsible for the benefits attributed to bilberries (1).

Why was wild bilberry chosen for Bilberry Extract?

The bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)support visual function (2-3).

Several high-quality studies have demonstrated the underlying mechanisms behind this probable benefit. Bilberry helps to:

• improve retinal sensitivity;
• maintain lacrimal function (production of glycosaminoglycans);
• maintain optimal vascular circulation in the eyes ;
• support the natural fight against ageing of the eyes.

Who is Bilberry Extract aimed at?

Bilberry Extract is primarily designed for:

• those over 50 in general, who are concerned about their visual acuity;
• those with a family history of eye disorders or who have themselves previously experienced problems with their eyesight ;
• those suffering from capillary fragility ;
• those with either hypotension or hypertension.

What are the properties of natural bilberry extracts?

Bilberries’ properties come mainly from their high level of anthocyanosides. These are found in many fruits, as well as in red wine and some green leafy vegetables, but bilberries are probably the richest source (4).

The latest research shows the likely ways in which anthocyanins benefit microcirculation, by strengthening capillary resistance and reducing their permeability. They may also promote the regeneration of rhodopsin, or visual purple, thus improving night vision (scotopic) and twilight vision (mesopic), though robust clinical trials are needed to confirm this.

Additional mechanisms currently under investigation include:

• Antioxidant activity. These studies are important because light-induced photo-oxidation typically affects lipofuscin, a pigment which accumulates with age in retinal pigment epithelial cells. This oxidation generates phototoxic free radicals that gradually contribute to chronic oxidative stress which is particularly damaging for the eyes. In vitro and in vivo studies (5-8) have demonstrated the antioxidant capacity of bilberry extract, particularly its anthocyanins.

• Arterial vasomotion. Vasomotion is the ability of an artery to vary its diameter. It is essential for healthy circulation but is often compromised by the formation of fatty deposits on internal vessel walls which subsequently become less receptive to biochemical signals and which lose elasticity. When this occurs in the small arteries of the eye, visual function is affected.

What makes Bilberry Extract so special?

Bilberries are undoubtedly the most precious of all berries: they are extremely delicatewhich makes them very difficult to cultivate and transport. That’s why the bilberries used in our extract are gathered from wild plants, before being frozen, sorted, washed and purified in such a way as to maintain all their active substances and ensure optimal efficacy of their anthocyanins. What’s more, the anthocyanin content is guaranteed at a level of 25% of the dried extract !

Bilberry Extract is also free from any chemical excipient.

How should you take this bilberry supplement?

We recommend taking two capsules a day, before each main meal.

It’s also a good idea to adopt the following measures during the supplementation period:

• Eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables to maximise your antioxidant intake.
• Protect your eyes when out in the sunshine by wearing sunglasses that filter out 100% of UV light.
• Drink as little coffee as possible, and don’t smoke.
• Take regular exercise.
• Eat foods rich in carotenoids (especially lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin - the three carotenoids concentrated in the retina) or take a supplement such as Macula Plus.

Take one capsule twice a day before meals (or more, if your therapist advises).

Caution: do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a nutritional supplement and should not be used to replace a varied, balanced diet or healthy lifestyle. Keep out of young children’s reach. Store away from light, heat and humidity. As with all nutritional supplements, consult a health professional before taking if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffer from a health problem.

1. Kowalczyk E, Krzesinski P, Kura M, Szmigiel B, Blaszczyk J. 2003. Anthocyanins in medicine. Pol J Pharmacol 55: 699–702.
2. Bagchi D, Sen CK, Bagchi M, Atalay M. 2004. Anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties of a novel anthocyanin-rich berry extract formula. Biochemistry (Mosc) 69: 75–80.
3. Roy S, Khanna S, Alessio HM et al. 2002. Anti-angiogenic property of edible berries. Free Radic Res 36: 1023–1031.
4. Nutrient U.S. Department of Agriculture, A.R.S., USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods, Release 3.0 2011.
5. Faria A, Oliveira J, Neves P et al. 2005. Antioxidant properties of prepared blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) extracts. J Agric Food Chem 53: 6896–6902.
6. Yao Y, Vieira A. 2007. Protective activities of Vaccinium antioxidants with potential relevance to mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 28: 93–100.
7. Wu X, Pittman HE, 3rd, Prior RL. 2006. Fate of anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity in contents of the gastrointestinal tract of weanling pigs following black raspberry consumption. J Agric Food Chem 54: 583–589.
8. Rahman MM, Ichiyanagi T, Komiyama T, Hatano Y, Konishi T. 2006. Superoxide radical- and peroxynitrite-scavenging activity of anthocyanins; structure-activity relationship and their synergism. Free Radic Res 40: 993–1002.