Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see.
Age-related cataract is a leading cause of blindness in the world today. While the exact cause of cataracts is unknown, a relationship may exist between dietary factors and the risk of developing cataracts. Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and certain vitamins has shown in some studies to possibly reduce the risk of cataracts or their progression.
Role of Noni in Cataract
Oxidative Stress and Cataracts :
Oxidative stress results when we have an imbalance between damaging free radicals and the antioxidants that keep them in check. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms (molecules) that are highly reactive with other atoms and molecules because they have unpaired electrons. In the body, a free radical is usually an oxygen molecule that self-stabilizes by taking an electron from another molecule, which in turn tries to take an electron from another molecule, and so on. Free radicals damage the body by stealing electrons from the normally healthy cells of organs and other tissues. This process of stealing electrons from healthy cells is called oxidation.
In the eye, oxidation affects proteins and fats in the lens to the extent that the lens becomes damaged and cloudy, creating what we call cataracts. Preventing free radical damage with healthy foods, particularly those containing antioxidants, may help slow down this process. Divine Noni contains all vitamins, rich with carotenoids; many important trace minerals like selenium, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus; 17 amino acids including all essential amino acids and lots of phytochemicals like flavonoids, limonene etc.
Antioxidants include some vitamins and many phytochemicals found in Divine Noni. Vitamin C, vitamin A, lutein, and vitamin E are examples of antioxidant vitamins which reduce the risk of cataracts. These antioxidants, as well as others, are obtained from Divine Noni. Hence Divine Noni acts as powerful antioxidant. It also helps to synthesize more antioxidant enzymes in our body.
Some Clinical Studies
– Men taking vitamin C supplements for more than 10 years had a 45-77% lower risk of early lens opacities (cataracts) and 83% lower risk of moderate lens opacities. The higher the serum levels, the lower the risk of cataracts. (Hankinson, et al. 1992, Jacques, et al 1997. and Simon and Hudes 1999) Divine Noni is rich in Vitamin C.
– Vitamin E, vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, and taurine appear to offer protection against lens damage caused by low level radiation. (Bantseev, et al. 1997)
– Dietary lutein (carotenoids) and cryptoxanthin were associated with 70% lower risk of nuclear cataracts in those under age 65. (Lyle, et al. 1999).
– Dietary intake of protein, vitamins A, C, E, and carotene, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine significantly decreased risk of all cataract types. (Leske, et al. 1991).
– Low blood levels of vitamin E were associated with approximately twice the risk of both cortical and nuclear cataracts, compared to median or high levels. (Vitale, et al. 1993).
– Patients with senile cataracts had significantly lower blood and intraocular levels of mineral selenium than controls. (Karakucuk et al. 1995).
Protein Deficiency May Cause Cataracts
A study indicates that protein deficiency may be associated with age-related development of cataracts, which cause the eye's natural (crystalline) lens to become cloudy. Inadequate protein consumption causes accompanying low levels of essential amino acids and B vitamins including niacin, thiamine and riboflavin, considered necessary for maintaining health of eye's lens. Divine Noni contains 17 amino acids including all essential amino acids and all vitamins. Hence it is very much beneficial to cataract patients.
The role of Xeronine, the alkaloid of Divine Noni on cataract
As we get older, proteins of the eye lens may clump together and start to cloud a small area of lens. Xeronine has the properties of acting on protein molecules. Hence in case of cataract, its role is very important to prevent clumping of eye protein.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.
