What is Can-C?

Can-C uniquely contains N-acetylcarnosine which is pronounced: n-a-seat-till-carn-o-seen. This natural molecule is known as a di-peptide. A di-peptide are two aminoacids linked together. Carnosine is found naturally in foods and in human cells and acts as a protector having both anti-oxidant and anti-glycation properties, however the levels of carnosine decline with age and there is a link between its declining level and the onset of certain aging disorders including forms of cataract.

Can-C eye-drops have been specially produced to licensed cGMP pharmaceutical standards.

Having been researched and approved by Innovative Vision Products they are the only ones that are clinically proven to be effective in slowing and even reversing aging eye-disorders, including senile cataract. hence over 500,000 bottles sold over the last decade; with huge results and no side effects.

What are the Can-C ingredients?

N-a-Acetyl-Carnosine (NAC) 1.0% (approved by IVP)
Glycerin (lubricant) 1.0%
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (lubricant) 0.3%
Excipients:
Sterile Water (Ophthalmic Grade Isotonic Solution, pH 6.3 to 6.5)
buffered with Potassium Phosphate
Dibasic and Potassium Phosphate Monobasic
Purified Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative)

What are Can-C Eyedrops used for?

Can-C contains a unique form of N-acetylcarnosine which has been shown in animal and clinical trials to help reduce, slow and even reverse the occurrence of senile cataract.

Senile cataract is the most commonly performed surgical operation in the world today. Some 26,000 people each year, in the United States alone, are diagnosed with senile cataract each day. There are 1.35 million eye operations each year in the USA and 2% of them (27,000 individuals) develop serious complications as a direct result of their cataract surgery. Apart from the discomfort experienced by patients as their vision diminishes, and the possibility of being one of the surgical complications, it should not be overlooked that there is a complete lack of accommodation by the removal of the lens. It is obvious that an artificial lens does not have the optical quality of a natural lens.

Can-C eye-drops are therefore a major advancement in the control of the age-related disorder of senile cataract.

The statistics in the human trials show that Can-C eye-drops applied for 6-months (twice daily into the eye), in patients all suffering from senile cataract, had the following results:

1. 88.9% had an improvement of glare sensitivity.
2. 41.5% had an improvement in the transmissivity of the lens.
3. 90% had an improvement in visual acuity.

This is a genuine breakthrough, because before the development of Can-C eye-drops, the best that could be hoped for would be a slowing of the disorder. So now for the very first time, it has been shown that senile cataract can be influenced without surgery.

In addition to senile cataract, Can-C may also have other benefits. Although the information is not yet published, Dr. Mark Babizayev believes that the unique Can-Cä formula with its added and synergistic lubricants, could also have benefit in the following eye disorders.

1. Presbyopia.
2. Open-angle primary glaucoma.
3. Corneal disorders.
4. Computer vision syndrome.
5. Eye strain.
6. Ocular inflammation.
7. Blurred vision.
8. Dry eye syndrome.
9. Retinal diseases.
10. Vitreous opacities and lesions.
11. Complications of diabetes mellitus and other systemic diseases.
12. Benefit for those who wear contact lenses, particularly soft contact lenses. (Not only do the lubricants in Can-C help making contact lenses more comfortable, but N-acetylcarnosine is also believed to reduce the build up of lactic acid in the eye, thus enabling the lenses to be left safely in the eye for longer).

How does Can-C Work?

As you can imagine this is a complex subject. Essentially, the prime ingredient in Can-C is N-acetylcarnosine. This is a “carrier” for the di-peptide, L-carnosine into the aqueous humor of the eye, (this is the fluid area surrounding the lens). It is here, that the substance becomes most active in its ability to basically act, as a natural and comprehensive anti-oxidant. Once N-acetylcarnosine has delivered L-carnosine safely through into the aqueous humor, the L-carnosine itself is flushed out of the eye via the canal of schlemm, and once into the bloodstream, it is broken down by carnosinase and excreted.

N-acetylcarnosine is acting as a time release version of L-carnosine, but it is resistant to hydrolysis with carnosinases. (Please note that some carnosines, such as L-carnosine, must not be used directly as an eye-drop. That subject is covered in the question: What makes N-acetylcarnosine different from L-carnosine?

Cataract is caused by the nuclear matter of the elderly human lens hardening and taking on a yellowish/ brown color. Hence, once this occurs the obvious vision impairment and deterioration.

This hardening and discoloration of the lens is the result of lifelong cross-linking (or glycosylation), of the lens proteins with ascorbate. This persists in the aqueous humor at high concentrations, due to the kynurenine derivatives, and takes place due to the low availability of natural defenses in the form of anti-oxidants, (which decline with advancing age).

N-acetylcarnosine and intraocular released carnosine can effectively act as anti-glycators, helping to cleave these formed links and scavenge the radicals of tryptophan/ kynurenine and ascorbate radicals. This can be measured by the intensity of fluorescence becoming decreased.

It is further believed, that N-acetylcarnosine can prevent and reverse the cross-linking of the lens proteins, including crystallins induced by lipid hydroperoxides and their secondary breakdown molecular products, like aldehydes. This mechanism is believed to be the prominent factor in reversing and preventing lens opacification, (i.e. cataract) and it is related to the glycation reactions of the lens proteins.

In addition, N-acetylcarnosine and L-carnosine act in the biological system as universal antioxidants. They possess the ability to protect cells from oxidative stress, both in the lipid phase of cellular membranes and in the aqueous environment. L-carnosine is able to reduce the content of lipid peroxidation products in the peroxidized lens fiber cells plasma membranes, and to repair their structure accordingly. It is the only known antioxidant able to protect structural proteins of the lens/ alpha-crystalline, from the free-radical induced oxidation process.

Another advantage is the capability of L-carnosine to stimulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes like SOD in the lens. SOD activity is diminished in the ageing and cataractogenesis processes.

Furthermore, there is published material about the reactivity of carnosine and its derivatives, to quench the potent free radicals- singlet oxygen species.

Carnosine expert, Dr. Hipkiss is convinced that carnosine protects protein carbonyls via the carnosylation process. In studies, it has been indicated that carnosine has the ability to block the glycosylation process, being induced by ascorbate and transition metal ions in the aqueous humor.

However it is very important that correct purity and formulas are used, so that efficacy and safety can be confirmed.

What about Quality Control?

Can-C eye-drops are made to exacting eye-drop pharmaceutical standards in licensed cGMP facilities.With the correct material and formula, in human clinical trials, there have been no reported serious side effects or contraindications with Can-C even when used everyday for up-to 2-years.

 The organization that has driven the research and has all the expertise with regard to the clinical application of N-acetylcarnosine is: Innovative Vision Products, (IVP).  IVP was founded by the principle researcher of carnosine from the Helmholtz Eye Institute in Moscow- Dr. Mark Babizhayev. He has more than 10-years of experience of researching N-acetylcarnosine in-vitro, with animals and with humans.

 Dr. Babizayev wants to make it clear that a particular and special kind of purity of N-acetylcarnosine was used in the trials, and that this purity remains proprietary and is the one used in Can-C. Many different purities of raw material were tested, along with differing formulas, only a specific mixture was found to be efficacious and safe, and that was the one used in the human trials.

 Dr. Babizayev has become so concerned that others are trying to copy his invention, quoting his name and research but not adhering to the correct materials, formula and procedures that he has issued a statement.

 Important announcement from the chief scientist who has researched carnosines for the past 10-years and conducted the clinical trials. You must be careful what you use in your eyes! The easiest way to ensure quality and safety, is to ask before buying any eye-drops that contain N-acetylcarnosine, if they are “Approved by Innovative Vision Products?” This statement must also be on the label. If it is- then you can be assured that the material and formula is of the correct type and purity that obtained the long-term efficacy and safety as per the published trials.In other words, an IVP approved N-acetylcarnosine eye-drop, such as Can-C, gives you the best chance of getting the same beneficial and safe results for yourself.Don’t gamble with your eyes, always insist on purchasing an official, IVP approved eye-drop.

Are there published studies showing how good Can-C is? (Plenty!…)

Biological activities of the natural imidazole containing peptidomimetics n-acetylcarnosine, carcinine and l-carnosine in ophthalmic and skin care products.
Life Sciences 78 (2006) 2343-2357

Biological activities of the natural imidazole containing peptidomimetics n-acetylcarnosine, carcinine and l-carnosine in ophthalmic and skin care products.
Life Sciences 78 (2006) 2343-2357

Analysis of Lipid Peroxidation and Electron Microscopic Survey of Maturation Stages during Human Cataractogenesis: Pharmacokinetic Assay of Can-C (TM) N-Acetylcarnosine Prodrug Lubricant Eye Drops for Cataract Prevention
Drugs R&D: 2005;6(6):345-69

Rejuvenation of visual functions in older adult drivers and drivers with cataract during a short-term administration of N-acetylcarnosine lubricant eye drops.
Rejuvenation Res. 2004 Fall;7(3):186-98.

Lipid peroxidation and cataracts : N-acetylcarnosine as a therapeutic tool to manage age-related cataracts in human and in canine eyes.
Drugs R&D, 2004;5(3):125-39

Efficacy of N-acetylcarnosine in the treatment of cataracts.
Drugs R&D, 2002: 3(2): 87-103

N-Acetylcarnosine, a natural histidine-containing dipeptide, as a potent ophthalmic drug in treatment of human cataracts.
Peptides, Vol. 22 (6) (2001) pp. 979-994

Imidazole containing peptidomimetic NACA as a potent drug for the medicinal treatment of age-related cataract in humans.
Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine, Vol. 3 No. 1 43- 62, 2000.

The Natural Histidine-Containing Dipeptide N-alpha-Acetylcarnosine as an Antioxidant for Ophthalmic Use. Biochemistry, Volume 65 (2000) number 5

N-alpha-acetylcarnosine is a prodrug of L-carnosine in ophthalmic application as antioxidant.
Clin Chim Acta. 1996 Oct 15;254(1):1-21.

L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and carcinine (beta-alanylhistamine) act as natural antioxidants with hydroxyl-radical-scavenging and lipid peroxidase activities.
Biochem J. 1994 Dec 1;304 (Pt 2): 509-16.

Morphometric evaluation of human lens opacification.
J. Microc. 1989 May;154 (Pt 2):115-27.

Lipid peroxidation as a possible cause of cataract.
Mech. Ageing Dev., 1988 July, 44(1): pp69-89.