New Bilberry and Ginkgo Antioxidant Extract Formula from Dr. Marc Grossman

bilberry and gingkoNatural Eye Care has created a new antioxidant supplement, “Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Combination Wild Crafted Extract Formula” to help support vision health and circulation. These natural extracts contain powerful antioxidants that counteract free radicals. The formula is designed to help prevent cellular damage, and even reverse it. Many eye diseases, including macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma, are rooted in cellular damage from free radicals.[1. Alpha-Lipoic Acid Antioxidant Treatment Limits Glaucoma-Related Retinal Ganglion Cell Death and Dysfunction,” June 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673940/] [2. Ophthalmic Res. 2010;44(3):191-8. doi: 10.1159/000316476. Epub 2010 Sep 9. “Free radicals, antioxidants and eye diseases: evidence from epidemiological studies on cataract and age-related macular degeneration.” Fletcher AE]

Bilberry for Vision

A relative of the blueberry, bilberry contains Continue reading “New Bilberry and Ginkgo Antioxidant Extract Formula from Dr. Marc Grossman”

Antioxidants, Eye Disease and Oxidative Stress

antioxidant foodsThe links between antioxidants and vision health are strong. Antioxidants are the antidote to oxidization. Normal metabolism creates free radicals. These are atoms that lack an electron. Free radicals roam about the body, scavenging electrons and stealing electrons from healthy cells.  This results in permanent damage to these afflicted cells which ultimately can result in disease. Significant research has shown that antioxidants protect against this cellular damage and are essential for maintaining health. The eye is especially vulnerable to free radical damage. Therefore, providing the body with sufficient antioxidants Continue reading “Antioxidants, Eye Disease and Oxidative Stress”

Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy: Avoid Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma

elderly vision preservationAs we age, our chances of developing a serious vision problem increase significantly. More than half of people over the age of 70 years old have an eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration; people with diabetes often develop diabetic retinopathy. These limiting conditions decrease the quality of life. Being a retired senior means having time to enjoy life, read, travel, play golf, enjoy hobbies, and socialize with friends and family. However, participating in these activities requires clear vision.

We can learn to help preserve our vision and to become active Continue reading “Keep Your Eyes Young and Healthy: Avoid Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma”

Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Complete Overview from Natural Eye Care

retinal vein occlusionRetinal Vein Occlusion is the blockage of veins that drain blood from the retina in the eye. The eye circulatory system depends on releasing blood back to the heart after it has nourished the retina. When the vein is blocked, hemorrhaging occurs, damaging the retina. It is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a common condition especially in older people that damages the arteries. “Occlusion” means the blockage or closing of a blood vessel.

Symptoms and How Retinal Vein Occlusion Is Diagnosed

A sudden change in vision may indicate retinal vein occlusion.

  • A blurred or missing area of vision is the most common, indicating a branch vein occlusion
  • Less commonly, there is a severe loss of central vision, associated with a central vein becoming blocked.

Any sudden vision changes should be reported Continue reading “Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Complete Overview from Natural Eye Care”

AMD Research – Part 2

macular degenerationScientists are putting significant focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration in their research. This eye disease strikes mostly older adults, over aged 50. The “Baby Boomer” generation is well above age 50, as are their living parents. Understanding the causes and potential treatments for Macular Denegation (ARMD) are important, because vision-impaired elderly people need extra help with their daily activities. Also, quality of life is lowered when vision is poor.

The macula is a tiny yellowish spot in the back of the eye, on the retina. It allows for central vision. Central vision is possible because of the macula. If it breaks down, reading, writing, watching TV, cooking, driving and even facial recognition are impaired. Macular Degeneration is degenerative, meaning that it gets worse over time.

ARMD comes in two forms. The more common Continue reading “AMD Research – Part 2”

Computers & Your Eyes II: How Blue Light Damages Vision

blue light electronics Blue light is emitted from all handheld electronic devices as well as desktop and laptop computers and televisions. It is the shortest wave length light in the visible spectrum and causes significant damage to many parts of the eye seriously impacting present and future vision capacity. Damage from blue light from smartphones is particularly important because smartphones are often used in dim light and are used close to the eyes. Unlike ordinary computer vision fatigue, damage from blue light is serious, cumulative and irreversible. Continue reading “Computers & Your Eyes II: How Blue Light Damages Vision”

Flavonoids in Deeply Colored Berries Protect People From Disease

blueberries and raspberries antioxidantsA fruit cup of mixed berries is a powerful snack: deeply colored fruits are filled with flavonoids and other antioxidants that help protect the body from disease. Antioxidants help prevent free-radical damage, which is believed to be responsible for the onset of eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

The colored flavonoids found in berries are called “anthocyanins”. These water-soluble pigments make plants shades of red, purple and blue. Berries also contain flavonoids called “quercetin” and “apigenin”. In the field or in the wild, these flavonoids help protect the plant from pests and insects.

Continue reading “Flavonoids in Deeply Colored Berries Protect People From Disease”

Night Blindness Improved by Transplanted Photoreceptor Cells in Animal Experiment

Night visionTransplanting light-sensitive photoreceptor cells into mice with night blindness resulted in improved night vision. Night blindness means seeing poorly in the darkness, but seeing normally when there is enough light. In this groundbreaking research, scientists injected light-sensitive photoreceptor cells into night-blind mice’s eyes. After this treatment, the animals were able to see well enough to navigate a water maze and swim toward a visual cue in dimly lit conditions. Controls who did not receive the treatment were unable to efficiently navigate the maze.

Continue reading “Night Blindness Improved by Transplanted Photoreceptor Cells in Animal Experiment”

ReVision Formula Uses Classic Chinese Medicine for Liver to Improve Eyes

ReVision formula addresses chi for the eye using classic Chinese medicineWhat is ReVision formula, and how can its classic Chinese medicinal ingredients help improve eye health and conditions such as eye floaters? ReVision formula is a liquid taken orally several times per day with water. This tincture is based on Rambling Powder, also known as Xiao Yao San.

ReVision Formula is designed to support healthy vision. Some of the conditions it may address include macular degeneration, eye floaters, and glaucoma. The idea is that ReVision Formula helps improve blood circulation to the eye. From the point of view of Chinese medicine, it helps eliminate stagnation of the body’s energy (chi) to the eyes.

Continue reading “ReVision Formula Uses Classic Chinese Medicine for Liver to Improve Eyes”

Blueberry Consumption Reduces Growth and Spread of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Mice

In animal studies at the Beckman Research Institute, feeding blueberry powder to lab mice markedly reduced the growth and spread of very aggressive triple negative breast cancer cells.

This form of breast cancer applies to 10 – 15% of all breast cancer incidences. Normally, the best treatments for breast cancer target estrogen receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and progesterone receptors. But, triple negative breast cancer doesn’t have these receptors and is thus very resistant to traditional chemo-therapy and is more likely to return.

In the first study, mice were fed either a control diet (no blueberries), a diet with 5% freeze-dried blueberry powder, or 10% blueberries. The 5% diet is approximately the same as a human eating 2 cups of fresh blueberries per day. The amount of blueberries in this study did not make much difference, but the size of breast tumors that developed were significantly (60%-75%) smaller in the blueberry groups than the control group.

The second study looked at metastasis, the spread of breast cancer. Mice who had a 5% blueberry diet had 70% fewer liver cancer tumors and 25% fewer lymph node tumors when compared to the mice who ate a regular diet.

Although these results can’t be directly applied to women, this may be one step nearer finding an effective and safe diet strategy to limit triple negative breast cancer.

Editor’s Note: Numerous peer review studies have been done showing the benefit of blueberry (wild bilberry) in helping preserve vision for a wide range of eye conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Our Advanced Eye and Vision Support (whole food) Formula contains both European Bilberry and South American Non-hybrid Blueberry along with a wide range of essential antioxidants for overall eye health.