Saffron For The Eyes

A recent study conducted by researchers from both Sydney University and the University of L’Aquila in Italy have found that saffron, one of the world’s most valuable spices, helps to protect eyes from being damaged by harmful UV rays. The herb also helps to slow the progression of eye diseases like macular degeneration, which causes blindness.
The researchers led by Professor Silvia Bisti have shown that saffron has remarkable effects on genes which regulate the performance of the eye’s key vision cells and not only protects the vision cells (photoreceptor’s) from damage, but may also slow and possibly even reverse the course of blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa.
A clinical trial with patients suffering AMD in Rome has found early indications that treatment with a dietary supplement of saffron may cause damaged eye cells to recover.
Professor Bisti says it has been shown in animal models that a saffron diet will protects the eye from the damaging effects of bright light – something we all suffer from whenever we go out in the sun and is active in affecting genetic diseases of the eye, such as retinitis, pigmentosa, which can cause life-long blindness in young people.
Animal research has also shown the prospect of slowing down the progression of sight loss and when saffron was given to human patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration, which causes partial or total loss of sight to many people in old age, signs of cell recovery were seen.
Saffron contains a number of carotenoids which ae believed to be largely responsible for a number of saffron’s health benefits, including inhibiting skin tumors, improving arthritis and improving eye and vision health. In a recent trial, every participant who took saffron had vision improvements and researchers said the aromatic herb ” may hold the key to preventing the loss of sight in the elderly”. Notably, saffron has been reported to significantly help vision in the instance of cataracts.
Saffron also contains the compound “crocin”, which scientists believe to be the primary compound responsible for recent study results which found saffron promotes learning, memory retention and recall capacity. Based on the early study results, scientists believe that saffron might be useful in the treatment and management of age related mental impairment.

     Medical disclaimer : This information, downloaded from various websites, are intended solely for general purpose. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.                    .