The lutein we include in Macula Complete and Oculair (FloraGLO) is the best available. It is 20% crystalline liquid suspended in corn oil, which is purified from marigold petal extract using a very special patented process. This type of lutein is far more bioavailable than the 5% dry form used by most multiple manufacturers. Unlike lutein esters, this lutein is chemically identical to lutein found in spinach, kale, collard greens, and other green leafy vegetables in our diet. We take the extra time to run our powder multiple formulation through dryers (this allows us to use the 20% crystalline liquid) before encapsulating to ensure the best absorption rate for our customers.

The macula is the most sensitive area in the retina. It is located in the center of the back of the eye where images are focused by the lens system of the eye. Macula means spot, and since the macula is yellowish in color it is called the macula lutea. Lutea means yellow in Latin. Lutein, an important carotenoid antioxidant, is important in the treatment of macular degeneration. Lutein is found in high concentrations in both spinach and kale.

Macula Complete is a concentrated super-potent multiple vitamin/minerar/antioxidant, which can produce an immediate detox effect in some people - these are usually the people who are the most nutrient deficient. It is important that you not discontinue taking Macula Complete if you get slight headaches or upset stomachs. Most people easily adjust to the formulation by starting with one or two capsules a day (always with food) and then slowly working up to the six-per-day full dosage.

All of these nutrients have specifically been shown to dramatically improve cellular mitochondria function in histopathologic studies. Improved mitochondria function provides beneficial effects in preventing and treating Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

The July 2003 Journal of The National Cancer Institute reported that men who supplement with 100 mg of daily zinc are at twice the risk of advanced prostate cancer, as are men who supplement with amounts that excessively exceed the Institute of Medicine safe upper limits of zinc for more than 10 years. This data was collected from a 14 year follow-up survey of 46,974 health professionals. Biosyntrx multiples are designed for long-term use and include no more than 40-50 mg of zinc, as monomethinonine, which is properly balanced with the full-spectrum of minerals for optimal safety.

After lengthly study of both the ATBC and CARET beta carotene/lung cancer trials, the Biosyntrx Scientific advisors are confident that Oculair and Macula Complete are safe for smokers and former smokers. Our research and design team carefully studied the beta-carotene trials from the mid 1990s before including a very small amount of beta-carotene in our multiple formulations to address specific issues of singlet oxygen formation and diseases of the eye. Biosyntrx multiples include less than one (1) mg beta-carotene, which is appropriately balanced with a complete host of carotenoids and other phytonutrient antioxidants, including 400 IUs of mixed tochpherol Vitamin E and 500 mg of Vitamin C, which are both vital to healthy lungs for all who smoke or have smoke damaged lungs. For more information on this subject visit the Friday Pearl sectio

Absolutely. Macula tissue preference for these two zanthophylls has been proven to our scientific advisors satisfaction. Macula Complete is the only full-spectrum multiple formulations available to the AMD patients that includes 10 mg of the highest concentrate FloraGlo Lutein, appropriately balanced with 4 mg of pure Zeaxanthin, which is the preferred carotenoid of the central macula. Biosyntrx does not make zeaxanthin label claims for the amount of zeaxanthin or meso-zeaxanthin that might be converted from supplemental lutein, as do most other companies.

The Macula Complete vitamin/mineral/antioxidant formula is designed to meet the needs of the delicate neurovascular structures in the central, most sensitive part of the retins. In addition to the specific vitamins, minerals and antioxidants needed for retinal health, Macula Complete contains effective amounts of the nutrients that are lacking in most other available products. In other words, when you take Macula Complete, you do not need to take any other multiple vitamin product. Remember, what's good for the eyes is good for the whole body.

We assume these formulation designers, and the companies who copy them, do not monitor AMD patient lifestyle profiles, or recent vitamin A and carotenoid science. It concerns us that the PreserVision AMD consumers don't always understand that to protect their vascular system and their macula, they need to take additional supplemental antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and xanthophylls that are not included in the PreserVision formulation.

This is a great question and one that is ask by a number of AMD patients. It's important to understand that although both of these nutrients tend to slightly thin the blood, they also dramatically improve ocular microcirculation and protect the vascular endothelium, as well as inhibit collegen destruction and decrease capillary fragility. Retinal bleeds are normally caused by capillary fragility, not thin blood. Biosyntrx multiple formulations also include an antioxidant bioflavinoid complex that includes quercetin, rutin and hesperidin, which further strengthen the capillaries that feed the eye and the brain, as well as the fragile capillaries formed during subretinal neovascularization.

Not in the opinion of the Biosyntrx team. Pre-formed Vitamin A, or retinol, is absolutely essential for eye health, wound healing, and proper immune function. Beta-carotene, as pro-formed Vitamin A, only attempts to metabolically convert to retinol when and if the vitamin A cellular stores are retinol deficient. The beta-carotene/retinol conversion becomes more and more difficult with the aging process. Recent science suggests that beta-carotene converts to retinol at less that half the rate once published. Excessive amounts of supplemental hydrocarbon antioxidant carotenoids, which include beta-carotene, are also thought to compete for transport space with the carotenoid xanthophylls like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are particularly important to the prevention of degenerative disease of the macula. Two large-scale studies, CARET and ATBC, su

Yes it is safe. However, we recommend that Coumadin patients have their clotting time checked on on a regular basis. Essential Fatty Acids, fish oil, vitamin E, bilberry, and Ginko biloba are all reported to slightly reduce clotting time - therefore, it may be necessary to slightly lower the amount of prescription Coumadin taken on a daily basis. We do not recommend patients ever reducing the amount of Coumadin they take without physician knowledge.