Curcumin for Eyes – Laurica K
What Is Curcumin?
The active nutrient in turmeric is a brightly coloured orange/yellow carotenoid pigment known Curcuma Longa. Curcumin is further classified as a Xanthophyll. The eye super-nutrients, Zeaxanthin and Lutein, are also Xanthophylls. While Zeaxanthin and Lutein are concentrated in the light-sensitive retina, Curcumin acts to support eye health with its antioxidant properties.
Uniqueness of Curcumin
Curcumin is a pleiotropic agent helping from Trichology to Traumatology and from Onychology to Oncology
Benefits of Curcumin
On extensive studies of Curcumin, it is well demonstrated that curcumin has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Curcumin also delays gastric emptying after a meal, which has beneficial effects on blood sugar regulation. More recently, curcumin is showing much promise as a neural-protectant. Finally, it acts as an immune modulator, helping to regulate cell function.
Health benefits of Curcumin for eyes:
1. Curcumin for Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive condition leading to irreversible vision loss due to optic nerve damage from sustained and untreated, increased intra ocular pressure. Sometimes Glaucoma progresses even when the eye pressure is low. The thought is the nerves are getting damaged at the exit from eye and we need neuro-protection to help prevent further progression. Curcumin has been shown to have neuroprotective properties by inhibiting oxidative damage as well as helping prevent death of Retinal Ganglion Cells.
2. Curcumin for Cornea
Curcumin helps in corneal epithelial wound healing, by accelerating corneal nerve regeneration.
3. Curcumin for Dry Eye
Dry eye disease is caused due to decreased tear production and rapid tear evaporation. This develops the inevitable pathogenesis of increased tear osmolality and ocular surface inflammation, leading to inflammatory Ocular Surface Disorder. Curcumin helps to modulate the immunity and thereby moderates the cascade. Thus Curcumin provides long lasting relief in becoming concomitant treatment for Dry Eye.
4. Curcumin for Uveitis
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, occurring inside the eye. The uvea includes the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. Uveitis can be in the front, back or both parts of the eye. Curcumin effectively moderates the inflammation by modulating the expression and activation of cellular regulatory proteins such as chemokines, interleukins, haematopoietic growth factors and transcription factors.
5. Curcumin in Cataract
Cataract is clouding or opacification of the lens inside the eye. “It is believed that oxidative damage to the eye lens contributes to the development of different kinds of cataracts. The primary mechanism for the anti-cataract effect of curcumin is through its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also has a preventative role in cataract progression. Curcumin helps increase vitamin C levels as well.
6. Curcumin for Retina
Curcumin prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species and so it is an effective protective agent. Curcumin has shown also anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. Curcumin has demonstrated efficacy in Age Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Proliferative Vitreo Retinopathy and Retinal Cancers through the inherited pleiotropic properties and associated actions.