Valensa International (Orlando, FL USA) announced today that it has initiated a broad out licensing effort for University of Illinois patent (US 5,527,533 and its foreign equivalents) for the use of the astaxanthin in eye healthcare dietary supplement applications. FutureBiotics (NY, USA), Swanson Health Products (ND, USA) and Life Extension Vitamins (AZ, USA) have each acquired licenses for the use of the Valensa astaxanthin patent. The patent covers the use of astaxanthin as a dietary supplement for amelioration of free radical- and light-induced retinal damage, age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor cell retinal damage and damage to neurons of inner retinal layers, among other claims. Licensing agreements feature the use of Valensa's Zanthin(R) natural astaxanthin extract - a proprietary formulation of microalgae extracted using ultra-high pressure supercritical CO2 in an allergen-free certified organic facility in Florida, protected with Valensa's state-of-the art O2B(TM) stabilization technology, with the final product ensuring efficacy with a 4-year shelf life. Valensa, the only full-integrated supplier of astaxanthin extract in the United States, has been a leader in acquiring regulatory approvals for its astaxanthin product in the United States and Europe. Valensa also recently announced that it is working on eye health formulations that incorporate both Zanthin(R) natural astaxanthin and Neptune Technologies & Bioressources' advanced Omega-3 ingredient, NKO(R) Krill Oil.
According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President & CEO of Valensa, the availability of efficacious, proven eye health support is at the top of the list of health concerns of a growing segment of the global population. "Eye health is a major concern for aging baby boomer populations of the United States, Europe and parts of Asia. Today, nearly 30% of Americans over the age of 55 suffer from visual impairment due to age-related eye health disorders - primarily cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) - both of which are primary causes of blindness," he said. "While lutein and zeaxanthin are often promoted as leading eye health supplement ingredients, numerous scientific studies have shown that astaxanthin is by far the most effective carotenoid in addressing the free-radical and light-induced singlet oxygen damage associated with visual impairment. With its ability to cross the blood-brain/blood-eye barriers and to concentrate in the central cones of the retinal macula, astaxanthin is now emerging as the pre-eminent solution for eye healthcare supplementation in the management of retinal oxidative stress that would lead to macular degeneration," he added.
Making the Eye-Health Claim with Astaxanthin
Recent research strongly supports astaxanthin as the eye healthcare supplement of choice due to its ability to cross the blood-brain/blood-retina barrier and preferentially reside in the cones of the foveal region of the macula. Research also points to astaxanthin's exceptional reduction on light-induced oxidative stress processes that damage cells and many cellular mechanisms. Astaxanthin was found to be many times more effective than either beta-carotene or lutein against UV light induced cellular damage. Results from the CARMIS clinical trial (Carotenoids and Antioxidant in Age Related Maculopathy Italian Study), which employed astaxanthin as a critical component ingredient, strongly suggests that astaxanthin is an excellent addition to eye healthcare supplements that may already contain lutein. Lutein is known to accumulate in the outer region of the macula, where light impingement is relatively low in comparison to the central macular region (also known as the fovea) where the highest light impingement always occurs and where maximum anti-oxidant protection is required. In addition, unlike the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disorder Study), conducted by the US National Eye Institute, carotenoid ingredients like lutein, as well as water-soluble vitamins such as A and C, can become dangerously pro-oxidant; whereas, astaxanthin essentially never acts as a pro-oxidant, even at high concentrations. The bottom line is that ARMD studies to date require the inclusion of patients with ARMD in at least one eye and are not designed to show prevention prior to a disease state. Supplementation with astaxanthin (2 mg) and eating a healthful diet full of fruits and vegetables, naturally rich in antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, are good prevention measures against eye health damage.
According to Valensa's Moerck, supplement marketers around the world have the opportunity to tap into the demand for better eye healthcare products with Valensa's growing patent position in astaxanthin and NKO(R) krill-based products. "Better eye health is a very powerful message for the retail audience. Particularly in a time when baby boomers are looking to 'age gracefully,' regular supplementation with a Zanthin-based eye healthcare product has the opportunity to be the 'next big thing' in eye healthcare," he said. "Today, Valensa stands ready with the highest quality astaxanthin products on the market and is looking forward to further licensing of this technology to supplement manufacturers and markets around the world," he added.
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