Wide spectrum ophthalmologic support.
DESCRIPTION
Macushieldâ„¢ capsules,by Douglas Laboratories, provide a multi-vitamin and mineral formulation with several key nutrients, including vitamin A, betacarotene, bilberry extract, L-taurine, L-glutathione, and zinc that are important in maintaining normal eye function.
FUNCTIONS
More than any other tissue in the body, the ocular lens and retina are continually exposed to oxygen and intense light radiation. Both light and oxygen can create free radicals that play havoc with membrane lipids of visual cells. Experts believe that the uncontrolled generation of free radicals in the eyes can ultimately lead to macular degeneration and cataracts. Therefore, ocular tissue relies on a strong antioxidant defense system to protect them from free radical damage.
Extracts of bilberry and Ginkgo biloba, green tea, rutin, quercetin, and hesperidin are a rich source of flavonoids that provide potent antioxidant defense in retinal visual cells and help maintain healthy vascularization in ocular tissue. Glutathione and selenium are essential components for healthy activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase which is abundant in healthy eyes. Glutathione peroxidase levels, however, decline with advancing age, and an adequate dietary supply of glutathione, its precursor N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and selenium may help maintain healthy levels of this important enzyme. Beta-carotene serves at least two purposes for the eyes. It is a valuable precursor for vitamin A which functions in the retinal cells as a light receptor. Betacarotene, as well as other carotenoids in Macushieldâ„¢, such as lutein and lycopene, are also important antioxidants in the lens and retina. Zinc is not only essential for normal visual signal transduction in the retina, but also is part of many of the enzymes involved in vitamin A dependent light reactions in retinal cells. Moreover, zinc, as well as copper and manganese, are essential cofactors of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme that removes potentially dangerous superoxide radicals in the visual cells, the lens, and other tissues. Taurine, the most abundant free amino acid in ocular tissue, is thought to help stabilize neural membranes
in retinal cells and modulate photoreceptor activity.
INDICATIONS
Macushieldâ„¢ capsules may be a useful dietary supplement for those who wish to increase their
intake of nutrients that may support the healthy functioning of their vision.
FORMULA
Six Capsules Contain:
Vitamin A 15,000 I.U.
(33% as Vitamin A Palmitate/67% as Beta-
Carotene from Dunaliella salina, a natural
source, providing Beta-Carotene, 90 mcg,
Alpha Carotene, 18 mcg, Zeaxanthin, 22 mcg,
Cryptoxanthin and Lutein.
Vitamin C 500 mg
Vitamin E 200 I.U.
(as d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate)
Thiamin (as Thiamin HCl) 25 mg
Riboflavin (as Riboflavin HCl) 25 mg
Niacin/Niacinamide 60 mg
Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCl) 25 mg
Folic Acid 200 mcg
Vitamin B-12 100 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 100 mg
Calcium (from Calcium Citrate) 100 mg
Magnesium (from Magnesium Citrate) 200 mg
Zinc (from Zinc Picolinate) 20 mg
Selenium (as Selenomethionine) 200 mcg
Copper (from Copper Sebecate) 3 mg
Manganese 3 mg
L-Taurine 400 mg
Quercetin Bioflavonoid 50 mg
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 200 mg
Bilberry Extract 40 mg
Ginkgo biloba Extract 40 mg
L-Glutathione (reduced) 25 mg
Green Tea 50 mg
Rutin 15 mg
Hesperidin 10 mg
Lycopene (from Lycopene Complex) 1 mg
Lutein (from Lutein Complex) 10 mg
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take 6 capsules daily, or as directed by physician.
SIDE EFFECTS
No adverse effects have been reported.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children.
