What is Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula?

Eye vitamins are crucial to vision health. In fact, the eye is the most vitamin-hungry organ in the body proportional to its size. It is the second most physiologically active part of our body only second to our brain. We believe the eyes require approximately 25% of the nutrients taken into the body to maintain full health. Any less may eventually result in eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.

Many seniors suffer from these eye diseases. A lifetime of eye stressors, including excessive sunlight and poor diet, catches up with seniors. They also have less efficient digestion, poorer circulation and may have risk factors such as diabetes, long-term smoking, and lack of exercise. Dr. Grossman, a New York-based optometrist, developed his Advanced Vision Support Formula to provide essential eye nutrients in a single pill. The recommended dosage is 1 capsule per day for prevention and maintenance. If there is an existing eye issue, the dose is two capsules per day. Each ingredient was carefully selected based on his experience with patients and research into nutrition and the eye. What is in Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Vision Support Formula? Why did he choose these ingredients? What research backs it up?

Eye Vitamins and Nutrients

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Vision Support Formula (AVF) is primarily made from his special Eye Integrity Support Formula. This article describes each ingredient in detail. Additionally, these pills contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Most of these ingredients are available in food. However, one individual rarely consumes significant amounts of all these eye nutrients. Supplementation is a short-cut to ensure coverage of the entire spectrum of eye nutrients.

Eye Integrity Support Formula Ingredients

Organic Prickly Pear

Organic Prickly Pear (leaf-like stem, “cladode”) (Opuntia ficus-indica). Native to the Americas, prickly pear is a type of cactus that grows in the warm southern climates. Prickly pear is a significant source of flavonoids and phytochemicals, including polyphenols, dietary minerals, and betalains. Mexican cuisine includes prickly pear as an ingredient in many dishes, confections, and drinks. Mexican folk medicine uses the juice and flesh to treat digestive and urinary tract inflammation, as well as wound care.

Organic Bilberry

Organic Bilberry (fruit) (Vaccinium myrtillus) grows on shrubs in North America and Northern Europe. Bilberry looks like a small blueberry. Its blue color means it absorbs blue light. Bilberry is a source of anthocyanins, which are dark blue pigmented antioxidants. Blue light is a major oxidizing stressor on the eye, and a cause of many eye diseases in seniors. Research has pointed to bilberry as potentially slowing down the progression of cataracts. This fruit may also prove useful for supporting the retina for those with Macular Degeneration, night blindness, and diabetic retinopathy.

Bilberry contains anthocyanosides, which support the vascular system. The eye’s vascular system is very small and delicate. When a person has a condition that causes heart and circulation problems, they are more likely to develop hypertensive retinopathy, central retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, wet macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Bilberry supports retinal health, night vision, focusing, microcirculation in the retina and general vision health.

Organic Carrot

Organic Carrot (root) (Daucus carota) is a common vegetable in lunch sacks and on dinner plates. A source of vitamin A, the carrot root extract in Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Vision Support Formula is also a concentrated source of antioxidants that help protect the eye from damage and disease. Carrot gets its orange color from beta-carotene. It also contains eye nutrients such as carotenes, flavonoids, minerals, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Vitamin B6 in carrots helps transform homocysteine into cysteine and synthesize amino acids. In Chinese medicine, carrots support the eyes by cleansing and supporting the kidney and liver. A study of beta-carotene found reduced night blindness.¹

Organic Turmeric

Organic Turmeric (rhizome) (Curcuma longa) is the main ingredient in prepared mustard. Turmeric is prominent spice in Indian cooking. Bright yellow turmeric contains curcumin, which has been widely studied. Research has shown that curcumin may be helpful for cancer, lupus, fibrosis, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and skin conditions. A powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient, turmeric helps prevent free-radical damage. Free radicals are suspect in many age-related eye diseases.

European Broccoli Extract

European Broccoli Extract (flower and stem) contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that fight free radical damage. Rich in calcium, broccoli contains a variety of carotenoids, all essential amino acids, and vitamins A, C, and K. The amino acids cysteine in broccoli strengthens the retina. Quercetin and rutin help protect the eye from sun damage. Eye nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in broccoli.

Organic Chlorella

Organic Chlorella (whole) (Chlorella sorokiniana) is fresh-water algae. The basis of the food chain, algae aides in removing heavy metals. According to tradition, chlorella improves digestion, supports the immune system and energy levels, and purifies the blood. It is high in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, including lutein. Research has shown that chlorella’s lutein-protein complex may support the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione.²

Organic Tomato

Organic Tomato (fruit) extract is high in lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant. Cooking increases lycopene’s bioavailability.³ Raw tomato is also high in vitamins C, A, B1, B3, B6, E, and K. Studies have tied tomatoes to reducing cataracts and macular degeneration risk.⁴

Spinach

Organic Spinach Leaf (Spinacia oleracea) is prized for its high levels of vitamins crucial to vision health. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, folate, C, and K. Minerals include magnesium, manganese, and iron. Additionally, this dark leafy green is high in carotenoids, which protect eyes from oxidization. Oxidative damage is a primary cause of eye diseases in seniors.

Two Crucial Carotenoids: Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein (from Marigold flower) gives the macula its yellow color. The lutein-rich pigment in marigolds absorbs blue, violet, and ultraviolet light. In the same way, ingesting lutein helps protect the eye from oxidative damage. A significant body of research has explored lutein’s role in vision health. For example, people with sufficient lutein in their diets had a 57% less chance of getting Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).⁵ Retinas with Macular Degeneration had a 30% less lutein than controls.⁶ Combined with zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin, lutein reduced the risk of dry Macular Degeneration progressing to wet AMD. When the AREDS studies were released, the protocols for treating macular degeneration that included lutein, other carotenoids, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.⁷ Although a daily value is not established, research shows a daily need of 6-20mg.

Zeaxanthin (from pesticide-free South American Marigold flower) is another yellow-colored pigment crucial for vision health. Some experts have said that zeaxanthin is the most important carotenoid antioxidant for protecting the eye. This antioxidant supports the retina and macula. It is especially helpful for immunity and macular degeneration. The pigment helps to filter out the spectrum of light that damages the eyes.

Why marigold? The pure marigold flower is a superior source of zeaxanthin versus synthetic sources. Beware of eye supplements with no zeaxanthin or a tiny amount of synthetic zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin is an expensive ingredient, so manufacturers may list micrograms instead of milligrams on the label (1000 micrograms equals 1 milligram). If you see 800 micrograms (mcg) on the bottle, this is less than 1 milligram (mg). Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula contains a therapeutic dose of zeaxanthin: 2 milligrams (mg) per capsule. This dose provides everyday eye protection, as well as support during illness or injury.

Zeaxanthin is best combined with lutein (above) to reduce free radicals. Some studies have concluded that 2 mg/day of zeaxanthin and 10mg/day of lutein can prevent cataracts and Macular Degeneration. Although a daily value is not established, the general daily need ranges from 2-12 mg.

Supplement Specifications and Purity

The formula comes in an easy-to-swallow vegetable cellulose capsule. This vegetarian capsule contains pea protein, gum acacia, and natural tocopherol (vitamin E). Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula is a whole food, wildcrafted herbal formula, free of chemicals and preservatives and GMO free. The supplement is free from excipients such as binders, fillers, glues or other toxic ingredients. All the ingredients prescreened using an advanced, state-of-the-art photoluminescence device. This ensures assure optimal freshness, purity, and potency.

Dosage

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula can be taken with or without meals. One of the capsules should be taken at bedtime for optimal results. Individuals at high risk of eye disease, seniors with a nominal diet, recovering from injury, or who already have an eye disease, should take a therapeutic dose. The therapeutic dose is two capsules per day. If taking two capsules, take them at different times of day, ending with one at bedtime.

The maintenance dosage is recommended, for example, for the middle-aged, youths, seniors who eat large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, and others at low risk for eye disease. Maintenance dose is one v/cap per day, taken at bedtime.

Where to Find Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula

This supplement is available on the NaturalEyeCare.com website. The supplement is sold on its own and as part of support packages for specific conditions.