We have written extensively about how excess exposure to blue light can, over time, negatively affect vision. Not only does it affect our vision and ability to fall asleep, but it can also harm skin health, and neural pathways in the brain are affected in various ways. Continue reading “Blue Light & Your Vision (and more!)”
Category: Flavonoids
Inhibiting Angiogenesis in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to vision loss from angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the growth of unwanted blood vessels in the retina. These excess blood vessels obscure or distort vision and damage the eye. They can result in permanent damage if not treated, typically by injection of EyLea, Avastin, or Lucentis. Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy are most prevalent among seniors over age 60. Are there any natural methods to help retard the growth of extra blood vessels in the eye? Continue reading “Inhibiting Angiogenesis in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy”
11 Brain-Boosting Foods for Seniors
Brain health is especially important in seniors. Seniors are susceptible to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems, and cognitive decline. Which foods boost brain power the most? At Natural Eye Care, we have picked eleven common foods that have brain-saving properties. Scientists have been studying the nutrients in foods for decades. They have isolated specific nutrients that cross the blood-brain barrier. These types of nutrients get direct access to the brain and even the retina. The retina is made from neural tissue. Researchers find that many of the nutrients helpful for the brain also stave off eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Try adding some of these foods to your regular diet. Seniors need fewer calories than younger folks. Therefore, replace “junk food” like cookies, candy, and chips with these brain-boosters. Continue reading “11 Brain-Boosting Foods for Seniors”
Glaucoma Update: New Mirtogenol Formula for Eye Pressure
Mirtogenol® has been shown to reduce eye pressure, which is a risk factor and symptom of glaucoma. A combination of bilberry extract and French maritime pine bark, Mirtogenol was the first nutrient combination shown to support healthy eye pressure. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world. By reducing intra-ocular pressure (IOP), Mirtogenol naturally supports glaucoma. Glaucoma leads to irreversible optic nerve damage and vision loss. Dr. Marc Grossman, OD, L.Ac. and author of “Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing” has released a new Eye Pressure Support Ease Formula With Mirtogenol Plus. Continue reading “Glaucoma Update: New Mirtogenol Formula for Eye Pressure”
Phytonutrients for Your Eyes and Brain: Love Your Fruits and Vegetables
Mother always told you to eat your fruits and vegetables – but why? Modern researchers are finding more and more about antioxidants for health. Scientists publish mountains of peer-reviewed research a year on antioxidants found in fruits and veggies. One type of antioxidant is called “phytonutrients.” Found in plant pigments, phytonutrients are especially good for the eyes and brain. How do phytonutrients slow the impact of aging and reduce disease risk? Which foods contain significant amounts of the best types of phytonutrients?
Continue reading “Phytonutrients for Your Eyes and Brain: Love Your Fruits and Vegetables”
Chocolate / Lactulose May Help Protect Against Stroke
Chronic Fatigue
When you’re feeling low, some chocolate can often perk you up.
If you are someone who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, the flavonoids in chocolate may actually help alleviate your symptoms.
A study published in Nutrition Journal describes how chocolate with high cocoa liquor counts that is rich in polyphenols was more effective in helping subjects manage their chronic fatigue symptoms over eight week periods than those taking “regular” chocolate.[1. https://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/55.]
Stroke Recovery
Epicatechin is another compound that is found in dark chocolate. Catechins are natural antioxidants found in a number of foods.
Scientists have determined that epicatechin may protect the brain after one has suffered a stroke. It may do so by stimulating the signals given by cells to protect nerve cells from damage. [3. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, May 5, 2010.]
Editor’s Note: Antioxidants are essential for maintaining healthy vision and overall health.
Lactulose & Stroke Recovery
Based on a new research study done on mice, a simple drink of water laced with hydrogen gas–lactulose–might help prevent brain damage due to a stroke. The gas appears to protect cells from the after effects of oxygen starvation possibly by reacting with and disabling the post stroke toxic oxygen effects.
In the West, stroke is the second leading cause of death (heart disease is #1). During an ischemic stroke, a blockage chokes off blood flow to the brain. Part of the brain dies, and if the damage is serious enough, the individual dies. The sooner the stroke is mitigated, the less damage to the brain. Stroke victims can have long-term difficulty with cognition, using parts of their body, eating, doing daily tasks, and caring for themselves.
Risk factors for stroke that are not easily controlled include age, gender, race, and family history. Controllable risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, diabetes, atherosclerosis, circulation problems, tobacco, alcohol, lack of exercise, and obesity. Preventing a first stroke helps prevent future strokes, since having a stroke in the past also increases the risk — if the first stroke is survived.
To detect whether someone may be having a stroke, the “FAST” method is recommended.
- F = Face (Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?)
- A = Arms (Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?)
- S = Speech (Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?)
- T = Time (If you observe any of these signs (independently or together), call 9-1-1 immediately)
A new study examined whether mixing hydrogen gas with water — to create lactulose — and drinking it immediately after an stroke reduced brain damage. They found in animal studies that the lactulose had an anti-oxidant effect and reduced neurological damage from ischemic stroke. The hydrogen gas seemed to protect cells from the after-effects of oxygen deprivation.
The scientists called for more research into whether lactulose could have a preventative effect, to avoid strokes in the future. Also, they hypothesized that hydrogen gas in water could act as a powerful antioxidant to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, etc. Currently, there are no signs of hydrogen gas being toxic to humans.
Significant research supports the value of antioxidants in maintaining good health and mitigating disease. Learn more about antioxidants for good health.[4. Lactulose: an effective preventive and therapeutic option for ischemic stroke by production of hydrogen.” by Chen Et. Al. Medical Gas Research 2012, 2:3.]
New Blue Light Protecting and Night Vision Supplement Package
Natural Eye Care has announced a new supplement package aimed at protecting the eyes from blue light damage and supporting night vision. A significant body of scientific research has shown that the ingredients are helpful to the eyes. The “Blue Light Protecting/Night Vision Supplement Package” contains two formula with specific nutrients to help protect the eyes from blue light and UVA exposure (as well as supporting overall eye health): Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Vision Support Eye Formula and Astaxanthin in a therapeutic dose. Continue reading “New Blue Light Protecting and Night Vision Supplement Package”
Protect the Optic Nerve with Taurine, Bilberry, and More
Several nutrients and vitamins such as bilberry and taurine help protect the optic nerve from damage. Glaucoma causes optic nerve damage. Optic neuritis and optic nerve atrophy are serious conditions that harm the optic nerve. Since the optic nerve sends electrical signals from the eye to the brain, any interruption damages vision. How does the optic nerve work? Which diseases damage the optic nerve? What does the research show about how nutrients, foods, and vitamins protect the optic nerve? Taurine, gingko biloba, a fruit called bilberry, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B12 among others have demonstrated their usefulness. Continue reading “Protect the Optic Nerve with Taurine, Bilberry, and More”
What is Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula?
Eye vitamins are crucial to vision health. In fact, the eye is the most vitamin-hungry organ in the body proportional to its size. It is the second most physiologically active part of our body only second to our brain. We believe the eyes require approximately 25% of the nutrients taken into the body to maintain full health. Any less may eventually result in eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.
Many seniors suffer from these eye diseases. A lifetime of eye stressors, including excessive sunlight and poor diet, catches up with seniors. They also have less efficient digestion, poorer circulation and may have risk factors such as diabetes, long-term smoking, and lack of exercise. Dr. Grossman, a New York-based Continue reading “What is Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula?”
Can You Prevent or Reverse Cataracts?
Is it possible to prevent cataracts, or even reverse cataracts? Can you put off cataracts surgery? Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases in seniors. More and more people have a special “glint” in their eye when the light hits the lens just right. What is the value of preventing cataracts and other eye diseases? Continue reading “Can You Prevent or Reverse Cataracts?”