Ocutone 90 Capsules

Amni OcuTone, provided by Douglas Laboratories, is a

dietary supplement providing a well-balanced spectrum of

key nutrients that are important in maintaining normal eye

function. OcuTone delivers generous amounts of lutein,

beta-carotene, flavonoids, glutathione, sulfur-containing

amino acids, trace elements and a comprehensive array of

antioxidant vitamins.

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 lipids in the membranes 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 tissues rely on a strong antioxidant defense

system to protect them from free radical damage.

OcuTone was formulated to provide a comprehensive

combination of antioxidant nutrients that research has found

to be important for proper eye nutrition. OcuTone includes

nutritionally meaningful amounts of lutein, beta-carotene,

antioxidant vitamins, the trace elements zinc and selenium,

the cellular antioxidants glutathione and N-Acetyl-LCysteine,

the amino acid taurine, and potent flavonoids from

bilberries and grape seeds.

Lutein. Lutein is a carotenoid similar to beta-carotene. Recent

research has shown that lutein is the major eye pigment of the

outer retina. Lutein is especially concentrated in the rods,

which are the visual cells of the retina that are responsible for

black and white vision in the dark. The rods contain complex

membranes rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids that are

especially susceptible to lipid peroxidation and free radical

damage. Lutein is a potent antioxidant, and researchers

believe that the rods require it to protect themselves from lightinduced

free-radical damage.

Lutein occurs naturally in the diet, especially in dark green

leafy vegetables, broccoli and kale. Most people derive about

1 to 2 mg of lutein daily from their diets. Epidemiological

studies have shown that daily lutein intakes of 5 to 15 mg may

be more appropriate for maintaining normal eye function

during aging. As a result, OcuTone was formulated to provide

15 mg of natural lutein daily in three capsules.

Beta-Carotene. Beta-Carotene serves at least two purposes

for the eyes. It is a valuable precursor for vitamin A which

functions in the rod cells as a light receptor. Beta-Carotene

is also an important antioxidant in the lens and retina.

OcuTone delivers 12 mg of beta-carotene daily to ensure a

reliable supply of this important eye nutrient.

Vitamins C and E. The healthy ocular lens is rich in the

antioxidant vitamins C and E, which scavenge oxygen- and

light-induced free radicals. In the lens, excessive free

radicals can lead to protein oxidation and polymerization,

resulting in opaque, cloudy precipitates. High levels of

vitamins C and E, and other natural antioxidant defense

systems appear to be necessary for complete protection of

the delicate, highly transparent lens proteins. OcuTone

provides 500 mg of vitamin C and 400 I.U. of natural

vitamin E as d-alpha-tocopherol succinate.

Zinc. Zinc is essential for normal visual signal transduction

in the retina. Zinc is part of many of the enzymes involved

in vitamin A-dependent light reactions in the rod cells.

Moreover, zinc is an essential cofactor of superoxide

dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme that removes potentially

dangerous superoxide radicals in the visual cells, the lens,

and other tissues. OcuTone provides 6 mg of zinc in the

highly bioavailable monomethionine form.

Selenium. Selenium is the essential cofactor of the

antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is

abundant in healthy eyes. Glutathione peroxidase levels,

however, decline with advancing age, and experts believe

that adequate selenium nutrition can help maintain normal

production of this important enzyme. OcuTone provides

50 mcg of Selenium, which is roughly equivalent to the

required daily amount.

Glutathione and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine. Glutathione is the

essential cosubstrate for glutathione peroxidase. To carry

out its antioxidant functions, this enzyme requires a steady

supply of glutathione. In addition, glutathione by itself

protects the proteins in the lens from becoming insoluble and

cloudy. Although well absorbed, dietary glutathione can not

enter the cell, and exerts much of its beneficial antioxidant

effects in the extracellular space. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine

(NAC) easily enters the cell and is used to synthesize

intracellular glutathione. NAC also appears to have

antioxidant properties by itself.

Many studies have shown that ocular glutathione levels

decline as we age. Dietary supplementation with both

glutathione and NAC may help maintain normal extracellular

and intracellular glutathione levels. Therefore, OcuTone

combines a significant 50 mg of glutathione with 300 mg of

NAC.

Taurine. Taurine, a conditionally-essential sulfur amino

acid, is the most abundant free amino acid in ocular tissues,

where it may function as a membrane stabilizer, antioxidant,

osmotic regulator, and neurotransmitter. Taurine is

important in maintaining normal extra- and intracellular

distribution of calcium. This in turn has implications for neuronal excitability and the regulation of osmotic pressure.

OcuTone provides 300 mg of pure taurine.

Bilberry Extract. Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), a

northern European cousin of North American blueberries,

are a rich source of anthocyanosides, a class of flavonoids

recognized for their importance in eye health. Bilberry

anthocyanosides are potent antioxidants in the visual cells of

the retina, and help maintain normal blood flow in the fine

capillary blood vessels that nourish the eyes and other

tissues. Three capsules of OcuTone contain 60 mg of a

standardized 25 % anthocyanoside extract made from ripe

Swedish bilberries.

Grape Seed Extract. Grape seed extract is rich in

proanthocyanidins, another group of important flavonoids.

Proanthocyanidins are highly regarded for their strong antioxidant

properties and their role in supporting the body’s capillary blood

vessel system. Three capsules of OcuTone provide 50 mg of highquality

European grape seed extract (from Vitis vinifera) with a

minimum of 92 % proanthocyanidins.

Supplement Facts