Wolfberries are also called goji berries, commercially. They are the fruit of two closely related species of plants that are in the same family as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. Scientific studies show that wolfberries may be useful as pertains to eye health, particularly with macular degeneration. However, consult with your doctor before trying to treat macular degeneration with wolfberries.
Drusen Accumulation
Evidence has shown that wolfberry can protect your eyes from the formation of drusen. Drusen are tiny yellow or white accumulations on the eye that often occur in adults over the age of 40. However, the presence of a large number of drusen is associated with macular degeneration. A study published in February 2011 in "Optometry and Vision Science" found that supplementation with wolfberry for 90 days in a group of elderly adults resulted in a reduction of drusen buildup within the macula of their eyes.
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid, or plant chemical, found in the wolfberry. It has the ability to accumulate in the tissue of your eyes, particularly the macula. Scientists have identified this compound as one that can protect the eyes from blue light damage, according to a study published in 2008 in the "European Journal of Nutrition." The authors posit that foods rich in zeaxanthin may protect the eyes from macular degeneration.
Antioxidant
The wolfberry has been esteemed in Chinese medicine, including for the use with your eyes, because it contains a number of plant compounds that have antioxidant properties, according to an article published in 2008 in the "Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine." These antioxidants are particularly good for age-related degenerative disease, such as macular degeneration. This is because antioxidants serve as a shield against damage to cells caused by compounds called free radicals, which are capable of damaging and destroying cells throughout your body.
Precautions
If you are taking blood thinners, particularly warafin, you especially need to discuss taking wolfberry with your doctor. There have been cases showing that wolfberries can potentially elevate the risk of overdose when taken with warafin. For example, one case study published in May 2008 in "Food and Chemical Toxicology" found that the international normalized ratio in an 80-year-old woman was increased after she drank a tea made from woflberries while on warafin. The danger here is that it can lead doctors into prescribing more warafin than needed. A health care professional familiar with your medical history and current medications needs to be consulted.
References
- "Optometry and Vision Science"; Goji Berry Effects on Macular Characteristics and Plasma Antioxidant Levels; Peter Bucheli, et al; February 2011
- "European Journal of Nutrition"; Zeaxanthin Is Bioavailable from Genetically Modified Zeaxanthin-Rich Potatoes; Achim Bub, et al; 2008
- "Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine"; Research Advances on the Anti-Aging Profile of Fructus Lycii: an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine; Stephen Cho-Wing Sze, et a; 2008
- "Food and Chemical Toxicology"; Warafin Overdose Due to the Possible Effects of Lycium Barbarum L.; H. Leung, et al; May 2008
