WITHOUT FORGETTING ASTAXANTHIN The third carotenoid of choice for eye health is as- taxanthin, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Capable of crossing the retinal blood barrier, it ex- erts beneficial effects on the eyes. These results are supported by nearly ten clinical studies where a daily supplementation of 6 to 9 mg astaxanthin improved visual accommodation and reduced the ocular fatigue related to screen exposure. Within the current context of event digitalization and the virtualization of exchanges, it it not surprising that La lumière bleue émise The blue light emitted the players are getting involved in eye health and par les écrans inhibe la by screens inhibits the innovate by offering astaxanthin. production de mélatonine, production of melatonin, Thus, Lycored has expanded its range of natural hormone impliquée dans a hormone involved in the la régulation des rythmes regulation of biological astaxanthin derived from the Haematococcus plu- biologiques (veille/sommeil) rhythms (sleep/wake) vialis microalga with two new grades. Oleoresin for applications such as softgels and gummies, and cold-water dispersion microencapsulated granules for beverages, powders and tablets, all vegan. The entire range has been GRAS certified screens. Novastell (Avril Group) ensures the DHA and the non-GMO project verified. OmniActive intake for visual health through its Lecimarine® Health Technology also has its offering of “astax- range of marine phospholipids extracted from anthin” derived from paprika and marketed un- herring roe and naturally rich in DHA and EPA (3: der the trademark OmniXan™. As for Seanova’s 2 ratio). Studies showed a better uptake of DHA organic-certified astaxanthin derived from the in the retina when provided by phospholipids Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae, it is of (Vidal, 2020). A particularly effective vector put European origin, being provided by Algamo, the forward by the company. only astaxanthin producer in Central Europe. Carotenoids prevail therefore in the field of eye ...AND VEGETABLE EXTRACTS health, but other active ingredients also deserve Novastell again, but this time with a vegetable their rightful place in this area. solution for visual health. The Puredia range is formulated with active ingredients native to Tibet ROOM FOR OTHERS: DNA... and extracted from buckthorn berries. As this And who else could better testify this legitimacy plant grows in stressful production conditions than EFSA, which has approved the health claim (altitude), it produces, in response, high levels of concerning the contribution of DHA (docosahex- antioxidants. Among these ingredients derived aenoic acid) to “the maintenance o normal vi-f from buckthorn berries, an oily extract Omegia® sion”. Moreover, the authority recommends that high in omega-7s with lubricating properties. Its pregnant and breastfeeding women should be consumption is recommended to protect the eye taking DHA in an intake that is sufficient for the against the effects of rays and screens, thereby normal development of the eye of the foetus and promoting hydration. Health benefits highlighted breasted infants. Indeed, the eye retina seems to in 2010 (Larmo) and, in particular, for eye redness be the tissue with the highest levels of DHAin the and the itching sensation. CyanthOx ®, a concen- human body. One in five fatty acids in the retina is trated OPC (oligoproanthocyanidines) extract de- believed to be DHA (Van Kuijk, 1992). This ome- rived from this Tibetan sea buckthorn berry, has ga-3 seems to play a major role in converting the shown its role in retina protection during intense light signals into electrical signals that can be pro- light exposure—five times higher effect as com- cessed by the brain. Essential for the proper de- pared to that of a blueberry extract (Wang, 2015 velopment of sight in the youngest ones, DHA is and 2016). just as important in adults for the maintenance of The Spanish company Pharmactive puts forward normal vision.Seanova, via its partner EPAX, the its herbal ingredient AffronEYE® derived from saf- world leader in concentrated omega-3s, has de- fron (Crocus sativatus L.) in the fight against the veloped formulas with a balanced content of EPA/ deleterious effects of screens on our eyes. Just DHA. The idea is to target eye lubrication by pro- like CyanthOx®, this herbal extract demonstrat- ducing enough tears and thereby ensure eye com- ed its preventive effect against retinal aggres- fort during (prolonged) exposure to computer sion (Fernandez-Albarral, 2019). More recently stneidergnI — stneidérgnI- 28 -