Saffron and Vision
Wynyard Estate Saffron grown right here in New Zealand has developed - HAWK EYE - a natural dietary Premium Grade 1 Saffron supplement to support and maintain your eye health.
HAWK EYE is a natural Saffron supplement to support and maintain healthy eyes. It contains:
Vegetarian Capsules: 20mg of Wynyard Estate Premium Grade 1 Saffron + encapsulating aids
Bottle: 60 capsules (1.2 grams of NZ Saffron in total); Safety sealed.
Our Saffron is non-blended and does not contain Imported Saffron - only our Premium Grade Saffron.
Premium Grade 1 Saffron is scientifically proven to support and maintain age-related eye health; has a known target of action and supports healthy eyes through an inter-play of 7 specific compounds. Hawk Eye produced from Wynyard Estate is manufactured in a GMP facility in NZ with TAPS approved labeling and developed by Wynyard Estate Saffron, based in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Wynyard Estate grows Premium Grade 1 Saffron threads under the strict ISO 3632 international standards for Saffron quality and is the only NZ Saffron grower to do so annually. Our Saffron is also produced under National Programme 3 Verification for Food Safety, non-GMO, has GRAS status and a Health Star Rating 5.
Scientific Evidence - Based on Premium Grade 1 Saffron
Study 1. The study concluded that “short-term Saffron supplementation improves retinal flicker sensitivity,” with “significant improvement in retinal function in early Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)”.
Patients: 25 Adults
Study Duration: 6 months
Study 2. The study concluded that “Saffron supplementation induces macular function improvements from baseline,” which may be “promising for a long-term treatment of early retinal dysfunction associated with AMD”.
Patients: 29 Adults (early to moderate AMD).
Study Duration: 14 months
Study 3. The study concluded that there was notable “improvement of macular function after Saffron supplementation, as evidenced by an increase in retinal flicker sensitivity.” Patients who took saffron had vision improvements of one full line on the Snellen chart, a 14% improvement.3 Another study found an improvement of two lines on the Snellen Chart.
Patients: 33
Study Duration: 11 months
Target of Action
The impact of Saffron on vision stems from reducing retinal damage through the interplay of specific compounds that protect the lens and retina of aging eyes. Saffron acts in three specific ways –
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Protecting the retina against harmful UV rays - Ultraviolet-blue light radiation (UV-B) can contribute to eye damage. Saffron has an abundance of the carotenoid alpha-crocin, which acts like “natural sunglasses” and provides a neuroprotective action over retinal cells. Saffron protects and prevents the steady breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the center of the retina, the macula.
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Increasing blood flow into the eye - Vision problems have been linked to impeded blood flow in the retina and the choroid. Alpha-crocin has been shown to significantly increase the blood flow in the retina and choroid.
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Boosts antioxidant defense – Saffron is jammed packed with antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals.
Saffron's Active Compounds
Saffron stigmas contain more than 150 volatile and aroma yielding compounds. Saffron’s support and maintenance of healthy eyes is largely tied to the spice’s high content of free-radical-fighting antioxidant carotenoids, including:
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Alpha-carotene
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Beta-carotene
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Zeaxanthin
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Lycopene
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Special antioxidants known as crocins (alpha-crocin and picrocrocin)
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Volatile oil called safranal which comprises of 60-70% of the essential oil in Saffron
Also, Saffron is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, selenium, calcium, Zinc and phosphorus.
Safety
Our Saffron –
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Is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) - an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts (http://bit.ly/2i1oydB).
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GMP Manufactured – Hawk Eye was manufactured by Alaron Products Ltd in Nelson.
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Micro-analysis Compliant - Our Saffron was thoroughly tested by the Cawthorn Institute in NZ for any unwanted microbes prior to encapsultation by Alaron. It passed.
Saffron consumed at levels ≥ 5 grams in one sitting are considered harmful.
Dose and Administration
Orally Administered. 20mg per day is the recommended evidence-based dose of Saffron for supporting eye health.
Contraindications
This product is not intended for children, women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant or individuals who are using blood thinning medications [NOTE: even though scientific evidence shows that consumption of >200mg Saffron (10x our capsule dose) in one sitting may react with blood thinners - we advise you to seek advice from a health professional when considering supplements). All scientific studies can be found at wynyardestatesaffron.com
Saffron Quality
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ISO 3632: Saffron quality is determined under the strict ISO 3632 standard set by the International Standards Organisation. At Wynyard Estate we test our Saffron quality annually (by the University of Otago). The only supplier in NZ to do so. The minimum requirement for Grade 1 is Colour: 200, Flavor: 70 and Aroma: 20-50. We exceed these requirements.
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Food Safety National Programme 3 Compliant - NP3 is the food health & safety programme set by the Food Health & Safety Authority in NZ. NP3 status was granted to Wynyard Estate in 2016 and again in 2018.
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We do not blend our Saffron with any other Saffron (Imported or non imported)
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Health Star Ratings - an independent rating developed by the New Zealand and Australian Governments in collaboration with public Health experts, the food industry and consumer groups. Wynyard Estate Saffron has a Health Star Rating of 5.
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Fraud Control Programme – our Saffron has certain biological signatures specific to our Central Otago location. We can test all our products to ensure the Saffron is sourced from us.
