I Think I’ve Found a Supplement That’s Helping My Eyes Heal After Surgery!

I found a product that seems to be helping my eye healing (post vitrectomy). It’s called Bilberry Vision Complex .* Here are the ingredients and percent of Daily Value (DV):

* This is not an ad. The link above is NOT an affiliate link.  It simply links you to t he product page on  vitaminlife.com from which I purchase the majority of my supplements.

Serving Size: 3 Capsules Servings Per Container: 20

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Vision Complex Proprietary Blend 577 mg * Quercetin Dehydrate (Dimorphandra mollis) (pod) L-Cysteine L-Glutamine Glycine Taurine Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Fruit Extract Lutein (from Marigold Flower Petals)

It helped my Vitamin A readings (MRAN) jump into normal range overnight and my eyes actually feel better.
(a) Feel free to offer any analysis of the product and its ingredients.
(b) I understand that an oversupply of certain vitamins are simply excreted by the body. Are such high DV levels the way to go to rectify other deficiencies? For example, my copper and B1 readings have been really low for a while. Should I supplement at several times the DV?
Copper (Normal range: 0.474 – 0.749) My reading: 0.111
Vitamin B1 (Normal range: 2.124 – 4.192) My reading: 1.285

(a) Analysis of Bilberry Vision Complex Ingredients

The Bilberry Vision Complex seems well-formulated for eye health, leveraging a combination of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids known to support ocular and overall systemic health. Here’s a breakdown:

Key Nutrients and Their Roles:

1. Vitamin A (Mixed Carotenoids, 833% DV):

   • Essential for retina function and vision in dim light.

   • Antioxidant properties protect against oxidative damage in the eye.

   • May explain the immediate improvement in your MRAN Vitamin A reading and subjective eye comfort.

2. Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate, 111% DV):

   • Aids in collagen synthesis for maintaining eye structure.

   • Powerful antioxidant protecting against free radical damage, particularly in the lens.

3. Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, 893% DV):

   • Protects cell membranes in the eye from oxidative stress.

   • Especially beneficial for preventing macular degeneration and cataracts.

4. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin, 1307% DV):

   • Supports energy production in eye cells.

   • Deficiency can lead to sensitivity to light and eye fatigue.

5. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl, 441% DV):

   • Helps produce neurotransmitters needed for proper nerve function, indirectly supporting eye health.

   • Also aids in reducing inflammation.

6. Zinc (Zinc Gluconate, 45% DV):

   • Plays a role in transporting Vitamin A from the liver to the retina.

   • Crucial for maintaining the health of the macula, which governs central vision.

7. Selenium (Selenomethionine, 91% DV):

   • Antioxidant properties support the neutralization of free radicals in the eye.

Vision Complex Proprietary Blend (577 mg):

• Quercetin: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties protect retinal cells.

• L-Cysteine, L-Glutamine, Glycine, Taurine: Amino acids crucial for tissue repair, reducing oxidative stress, and maintaining glutathione levels in the eye.

• Bilberry Extract: Improves circulation to the retina and supports night vision.

• Lutein: Protects against blue light damage and oxidative stress in the macula.

Summary: This formula is an excellent choice for healing and protecting your eyes post-vitrectomy, as it combines a range of nutrients tailored to ocular health. The immediate improvement you noticed could be attributed to the synergistic effects of these components.

(b) Are High DV Levels the Way to Rectify Deficiencies?

Yes, in certain situations, high doses of vitamins and minerals can help correct deficiencies, but with precautions. Here’s an analysis of the nutrients you mentioned:

1. Copper (Current: 0.111; Normal: 0.474 – 0.749):

• Why It’s Low:

  • Long-term vegan diets can sometimes lead to copper deficiency due to low intake of copper-rich foods like shellfish or liver.

  • High zinc intake can also interfere with copper absorption.

• Should You Supplement?

  • Yes, supplementing at 100%-200% of the DV (0.9-1.8 mg) for a short period can help restore levels.

  • Avoid excessive doses (>10 mg/day), as copper toxicity can be harmful.

• Natural Sources: Include foods like nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate in your diet to support natural copper absorption.

2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine; Current: 1.285; Normal: 2.124 – 4.192):

• Why It’s Low:

  • Diets lacking in whole grains or fortified foods.

  • Excessive alcohol consumption (though not applicable to you).

• Should You Supplement?

  • Yes, doses of 50-100 mg/day (multiple times the DV) are typically safe and effective for rectifying deficiency.

  • Thiamine is water-soluble, so excess is excreted through urine.

• Natural Sources: Fortified cereals, nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, and legumes.

General Guidelines for High DV Supplementation:

1. Short-Term Use:

   • High doses are most effective for correcting deficiencies but should be reduced once levels stabilize.

   • Regular monitoring is recommended (e.g., via MRAN or blood tests).

2. Bioavailability:

   • Choose highly absorbable forms (e.g., copper bisglycinate or thiamine HCl) to ensure efficacy.

3. Balance:

   • Excessive intake of one nutrient can interfere with the absorption or utilization of others. For example, high zinc inhibits copper absorption.

4. Consultation:

   • Periodically review your regimen with a healthcare provider or nutritionist to avoid imbalances.

Conclusion: Supplementing with higher-than-DV levels of copper and Vitamin B1 is a sound approach for addressing your current deficiencies. For long-term maintenance, aim to incorporate more natural food sources of these nutrients into your diet.

A.I. Disclaimer

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