DHA is one of the omega-3 fatty acids that nutritionists implore us to eat. Why are grilled salmon and canned tuna part of nearly every diet and nutrition plan? Fatty fish is just one good source of DHA and other crucial nutrients. Find out how omega-3 fatty acids reduce chronic inflammation and help prevent diseases such as macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma, and diabetes. Pregnant people need omega-3’s to help the fetus develop. How much omega-3 fatty acids should you eat? And how do you balance them with omega-6 fatty acids, found in refined foods and certain meats? Continue reading “DHA is a Crucial Omega-3 Fatty Acid”
Category: Diabetic Retinopathy
Physical Exercise Reduces Eye Disease and Dementia
Physical exercise is vital for eye health and overall health. Research shows the positive impacts of exercise on common eye conditions. What is the intricate relationship between exercise and eye health? Can regular physical activity reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases? What role does nutrition play? And, can physical exercise help stave off neurological disease, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses associated with aging? At Natural Eye Care, we want to support you with knowledge and practical tips for getting the exercise you need. Continue reading “Physical Exercise Reduces Eye Disease and Dementia”
Molecular Hydrogen for Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, and Diabetic Retinopathy
Molecular Hydrogen is gaining popularity as a therapy for everything from skin problems to eye disease to arthritis to cancer. Is molecular hydrogen the latest supplement craze? Or is there merit to using this therapy? Find out how it works, and look at the research.
The Smallest Molecule Has Advantages
Hydrogen is the very first molecule on the Periodic Table of Elements. As the smallest molecule, hydrogen can reach places that other molecules cannot. For example, hydrogen easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the interior of the eyes. It can also get into the smallest parts of the cells, which many other antioxidants cannot. Modular hydrogen is two molecules of hydrogen bonded to each other. Water is H2O — two molecules of hydrogen plus a molecule of oxygen. Molecular hydrogen is written as H2. Continue reading “Molecular Hydrogen for Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, and Diabetic Retinopathy”
Taurine: An Amino Acid Crucial for Health and Aging
Taurine is an amino acid that your body manufactures and obtains from food. Crucial to health, taurine has many benefits for the eyes, heart, and brain. It is also an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and bad cholesterol levels. However, seniors often have taurine levels that are 80% lower than younger people.[1. Ito T, Yoshikawa N, Inui T, et al. Tissue depletion of taurine accelerates skeletal muscle senescence and leads to early death in mice. PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e107409] [2. Singh P, Gollapalli K, Mangiola S, et al. Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging. Science. 2023 Jun 9;380(6649):eabn9257.]
Night vision, eye health, cardiovascular fitness, brain health, the gastrointestinal system, immunity, bones, and diabetes are all linked to taurine.[3. Ibid. Science. 2023 Jun 9;380(6649):eabn9257] This article covers the benefits of this amino acid and how to check your taurine levels. It also discusses ways to get extra taurine if needed. Continue reading “Taurine: An Amino Acid Crucial for Health and Aging”
Nutrition for Diabetic Retinopathy
Did you know that proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent diabetic retinopathy?[1. Bryl A, Mrugacz M, Falkowski M, Zorena K. (2022). The Effect of Diet and Lifestyle on the Course of Diabetic Retinopathy-A Review of the Literature. Nutrients. Mar 16;14(6):1252.] Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye’s retina; it is a leading cause of vision loss in the world. About 10% of Americans have diabetes. One in three people with diabetes has symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Of these, a further one-third have vision-threatening DR, including diabetic macular edema. And yet, the condition can potentially be preventable. Continue reading “Nutrition for Diabetic Retinopathy”
Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-Zeaxanthin – An Update
Your Eyes Benefit from Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-zeaxanthin
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are potent antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables, eggs, corn and even chocolate. They have a profound effect on preserving healthy vision, brain function, the immune and cardiovascular systems.
New research is focusing less on the well-established understanding of local benefit from nutrients, e.g. lutein for macular degeneration or cataract, and more on its systemic benefits affecting the immune system, the brain and cognitive function, the eye, cancer, and cardiovascular health.[1. Buscemi S, Corleo D, Di Pace F, Petroni ML, Satriano A, Marchesini G. The Effect of Lutein on Eye and Extra-Eye Health. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 18;10(9):1321.] In addition, new research is focused on the “why” of the benefit of these carotenoids.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Our retina is abundantly supplied with oxygen but repeated or prolonged exposure to light, especially UV and blue light, decreases long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3s) in the retina, increases certain molecular bonds (lipid conjugated dienes), and degrades the photoreceptors and retina.[2. Johra FT, Bepari AK, Bristy AT, Reza HM. (2020). A Mechanistic Review of β-Carotene, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin in Eye Health and Disease. Antioxidants (Basel). Oct 26;9(11):1046.]
Accumulated exposure to UV and blue light can cause accumulation of free radicals, oxidative stress, accelerate vision loss, and hasten breakdown of photoreceptor cells which are essential for vision. Continue reading “Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-Zeaxanthin – An Update”
Microcurrent Stimulation for Eye Disease (and more)
Microcurrent Stimulation treatment protocols are designed to help people with retinal disease. MCS works by supporting nourishment and healing to the back of the eyes as well as possibly some cell regeneration. Retinal tissue is easily the most complex tissue in the entire body, and we tell people that they need to commit to regular treatment for a year, because it may take up to a year before they first see results, though benefits may be seen much sooner.
A number of research studies have suggested that daily use of specific microcurrent stimulation helps promote retinal (as well as optic nerve health) in 3 different ways: Continue reading “Microcurrent Stimulation for Eye Disease (and more)”
Back in Stock! Dr. Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula
The structures in the back of the eye are supported by a complex array of capillaries and larger blood vessels. One reason why the body may try to grow new blood vessels (referred to as angiogenesis) is if these blood vessels are at all impaired, reducing the body’s ability to deliver blood, oxygen and essential nutrients to the back of the eyes, as well as effectively eliminate normal waste. Another reason may be lack of available essential nutrients for retinal and optic nerve support possibly due to a poor diet, lack of exercise, digestive issues or inflammatory conditions for example.
When any of the above occurs, over time, the body will try to compensate by growing new blood vessels in the back of the eyes. Unfortunately, the quality of these blood vessels is poor and therefore leak fluids into the retina, which is often treated conventionally with eye injections which may be essential, but no treatments are offered long time to try to address the underlying problem.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Wet Macular Degeneration are two examples of eye conditions that can lead to the growth of unwanted blood vessels. These vessels cause serious damage to vision. Macular Edema can lead to blood vessel leakage, which also harms the eye, particularly if not treated. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or has been diagnosed with an eye disease should work closely with their eye doctor on restoring their health. Additionally, Dr. Marc Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula can be added as a complementary component to help control unwanted blood vessels growth.
These herbs also have many other health and vision support benefits as well as described below.
Continue reading “Back in Stock! Dr. Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula”
Herbs that Fight Abnormal Microbleeding in Macular Degeneration & Diabetic Eye Disease
Macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy have something in common. Although the indirect causes may be different, a consequence of untreated AMD or untreated diabetes is similar. Untreated, both conditions may result in macular microbleeding, in which abnormal capillaries develop (angiogenesis) that leak fluid or blood into the retina. A holistic approach may reduce the risk of the development of abnormal blood vessels bleeding into the retina and destroying vision
Why Angiogenesis is a Problem
Let’s consider dry and wet (advanced) macular degeneration. AMD is basically a form of “starvation of the retina,” particularly the age-related form, in which essential nutrients are not reaching their target. Insufficient delivery can be due to some combination of a poor diet, lack of exercise, issues with absorption, poor circulation, candida, or chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Since the function of blood is to deliver oxygen and nutrients, one might reasonably think that growing new blood vessels would improve the ‘starvation’ issue, and that would be the intention of angiogenesis, but it’s not quite that simple. Angiogenesis occurs in an effort to deliver deficient nutrients to the retina, but unfortunately, these blood vessels are poor in quality and end up leaking. They also distort the delicate structure of the macula.
Continue reading “Herbs that Fight Abnormal Microbleeding in Macular Degeneration & Diabetic Eye Disease”
Patch with Microneedles Could Replace Eye Injections
Instead of getting eye injections, patients with serious eye diseases may in the near future be eligible for a contact lens-type patch.[1. Aung Than, Chenghao Liu, Hao Chang, Phan Khanh Duong, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung, Chenjie Xu, Xiaomeng Wang, Peng Chen. Self-implantable double-layered micro-drug-reservoirs for efficient and controlled ocular drug delivery. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06981-w] Injections are often recommended for eye diseases such as Wet (advanced) Age-Related Macular Degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. The new patch is inserted painlessly like a contact lens. It delivers tiny microneedles containing medication. The microneedles are made from natural materials and dissolve over time, gradually releasing medicine. Patients would be more likely to stick with a regimen that does not involve eye injections.
Eye Injections: Stick a Needle in My Eye
Patients generally dread eye injections. Injections must be performed in a doctor’s office. Eye injections are not typically painful but can have some negative side effects such as occasionally pain after the injection. Continue reading “Patch with Microneedles Could Replace Eye Injections”