06 Apr Vitamin C and age-related macular degeneration

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin with excellent antioxidant properties, involved in numerous processes in our body: it protects cells from the effects of free radicals (which, according to recent scientific research could also play a role in the onset heart disease, degenerative disease, and cancer) and helps the body absorb and store iron.

Our body is unable to produce it, therefore it must be taken through an adequate diet. However, there are several factors that can lead to its deficiency and poor absorption, for example:

• smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke,
• gastrointestinal pathologies that reduce its absorption,
• limited diet which does not include fruit and vegetables at every meal on a regular basis,
• certain types of tumors.

One of its implications, perhaps little known but of significant importance, is its effectiveness against age-related macular degeneration, also known as “AMD”, a multifactorial pathology that affects the central area of ​​the retina (macula) and can lead to complete loss of vision.

It usually affects people aged 60 and over and has a progressive trend.

Important research called “AREDS 2” (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2), examined the daily intake of vitamins and minerals and concluded that some dietary supplements could help reduce the risk of the onset of AMD as well as slow down the disease.

Specifically, the study demonstrated the key role of vitamin C supplementation, in combination with other actives and minerals, in the active prevention of the disorder.

IPS – International Products and Services, through its Suractives® division, is able to offer Vitamin C MATRIS® RETARD made with patented and proprietary MATRIS® technology, thanks to which the active ingredient is processed into microparticles, then coated individually by one or multiple layers of polymer membranes, giving controlled release properties and taste masking (complete masking of odors and flavors).

MATRIS® technology, thanks to the particular granulometry and morphology of the product obtained, allows a uniform distribution of the active ingredients over the entire surface of the gastrointestinal tract in order to obtain optimal absorption.

Vitamin C MATRIS® RETARD can be functionalized with various other microelements including iron, copper, and folic acid, all with taste masking and timed release characteristics.

The formulations proposed by IPS are suitable for making high-dose tablets and capsules, single-dose sachets (both aqueous and oro-dispersible), and single-dose bottles with measuring caps.