Love chocolate? You’re not alone—and science is on your side. Cocoa flavanols and dark chocolate aren’t just delicious treats; they’re packed with natural compounds that can benefit your heart, brain, and even your vision. In this article, we examine the latest research on cocoa flavanols and other plant-based nutrients, revealing how your favorite indulgence may actually support your long-term health. Read on to discover how these everyday foods can make a real difference for your cardiovascular, cognitive, and eye health. Continue reading “Unlocking the Power of Cocoa and Flavanols: Benefits for Heart, Brain, and Vision Health”
Category: Green Tea
Retinal Cells Rewire to Preserve Vision in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa is a progressive eye disease that has long been associated with gradual vision loss and limited treatment options. Affecting about one in every 4,000 people, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is marked by the degeneration of the retina’s photoreceptor cells—first the rods, which are responsible for night vision, and then the cones, which enable us to see in daylight and color. While the genetic complexity and slow progression of RP have posed challenges for patients and researchers alike, recent discoveries are offering new hope. Exciting new research reveals that the retina may have an unexpected ability to adapt: certain retinal cells can rewire themselves in response to degeneration, potentially helping to preserve vision even as the disease advances. Continue reading “Retinal Cells Rewire to Preserve Vision in Retinitis Pigmentosa”
Caffeine, Coffee and Eye Health
What are the connections between caffeine, coffee and eye health? Do the negatives outweigh the positives? This is a tricky question, given the contradictory research on this popular beverage. Coffee is high in antioxidants that have broad health benefits. However, coffee is typically acidic, which can cause stomach symptoms. The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that increases alertness, but it can also cause energy crashes. Caffeine research has not yet pinpointed the ideal amount of caffeine for better health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, coffee can be helpful or harmful, depending on the constitution of the drinker. Continue reading “Caffeine, Coffee and Eye Health”
Eye Brain Connection: The 5 Steps
One important concept for maintaining eye health is understanding the eye-brain connection. This pathway starts with light entering the eye and ends when your brain makes sense of the visual world around you. Disruption or damage at any point in the pathway distorts your perception. Therefore, maintaining the health of each part of the eye-brain connection pathway ensures accurate perception. Your vision accounts for around 80% of your perceptions, learning, and thinking. Maintaining your vision as you age improves your quality of life. Consider how your ability to drive, watch television, read, prepare food, walk in nature, shop, and recognize friends and loved ones enables you to live independently and passionately. At Natural Eye Care, we want you to have the best chance at maintaining healthy vision throughout your whole life. Continue reading “Eye Brain Connection: The 5 Steps”
Reducing Digital Eye Strain, Tired Eyes and Fatigue Naturally
In today’s digital age, our eyes are under constant stress from extended screen time on computers, tablets and smartphones. This leads to digital eye strain, tired eyes, fatigue, and even long-term vision concerns. At Natural Eye Care, we are committed to helping you maintain healthy vision naturally. This blog post discusses the scientifically studied ingredients in our new wild-crafted herbal formula: Dr. Grossman’s Tired Eyes and Fatigue Formula. This powerful tincture is a blend of natural ingredients, including ginger, ginseng, bilberry, green tea, ashwagandha, and schisandra. We selected the ingredients carefully to support eye health and combat eye fatigue. Continue reading “Reducing Digital Eye Strain, Tired Eyes and Fatigue Naturally”
Green Tea Benefits for Seniors – Antioxidants for the Eyes, Brain, and Body
Oxidative stress happens everywhere in the body and can create havoc over time. Many eye and brain diseases are triggered or exacerbated by oxidative stress. The body counteracts this stress by producing antioxidants. However, you must also ingest additional antioxidants through healthy food, drinks, and supplements. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, offers protective benefits for eye health by combating oxidative damage.[1. Merin, S. (1991). Inherited cataracts. In Merin S. editor. Inherited Eye Diseases, (pp. 86-120), New York: Mercel Dekker.] At pennies per cup, this convenient and tasty beverage has been studied for its special antioxidant properties. What are the green tea benefits for seniors? Read on to find out. Continue reading “Green Tea Benefits for Seniors – Antioxidants for the Eyes, Brain, and Body”
Diabetic Retinopathy, Sugar Balance and Retinal Support
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among adults. Poor blood sugar balance can damage nerves, so nerve support is crucial for people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition stemming primarily from imbalances in blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is not properly managed, the body’s delicate nerve tissues, including the retina, can be injured.
At Natural Eye Care, we have examined the research on nutrients that help protect the eye, including the retina and blood flow to the eye. Research has identified oxidative stress and inflammation as key contributors to the onset and development of numerous eye conditions.[1.Levkovitch-Verbin, H. (2015). Retinal ganglion cell apoptotic pathway in glaucoma: Initiating and downstream mechanisms. Prog. Brain Res, 220:37–57.] [2.Kowluru, R.A., Mishra, M. (2015). Oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and diabetic retinopathy. Biochem. Biophys. Acta. 1852:2474–2483.] [3.Dib, B., Lin, H., Maidana, D.E., Tian, B., Miller, J.B., et al. (2015). Mitochondrial DNA has a pro-inflammatory role in AMD. Biochem Biophys Acta, 1853:2897–2906.] These conditions include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Without intervention, these eye diseases can result in a gradual decline in vision, potentially leading to blindness. Studies suggest that incorporating specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients may be beneficial in preventing and managing these eye disorders.[4.Rhone, M., Basu, A. (2008). Phytochemicals and age-related eye diseases. Nutr Rev, 66:465–472.]
Continue reading “Diabetic Retinopathy, Sugar Balance and Retinal Support”
Eating Habits Can Impair Circulation, Increasing the Risk of Glaucoma, Retinal Vascular Occlusions, Dry Eyes, Macular Degeneration
We might not connect our eating habits to eye disease, but poor nutrition impairs circulation. Reduced circulation can contribute to eye diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal vascular occlusions, ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), dry eyes, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Instead of being a “victim” of eye diseases in your senior years, you can take charge of your health today!
At Natural Eye Care, we believe that the visual system uses approximately 25% of the nutrients we take into the body. Only the brain needs more. Therefore, a nutrient-rich diet helps keep your eyes healthy. Anything that impairs the free flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients can significantly increase the risk of eye disease. Over time, you could experience vision loss, making you less independent in your senior years.
Flu and Cold Season – Natural Ways to Stay Healthy
Wintertime is when colds and flu are the most common. Why should we try to avoid these infectious diseases, and how? In addition to annual vaccines, what are some natural ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season? At Natural Eye Care, we see healthy eyes as part of a healthy body. This article references research that supports lifestyle, nutrition, botanicals, and supplements to fight colds and flu. Find out how to avoid getting sick, reduce the impact, and recover faster.
Each year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu. Although most recover without incident, flu-related complications typically lead to at least 200,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 60,000 deaths each year. People tend to recover from bacterial-related colds much more quickly than virus-related colds. Seniors and small children are especially susceptible.
Continue reading “Flu and Cold Season – Natural Ways to Stay Healthy”
Edible Mushrooms: The Broad Range of Health Benefits
Edible mushrooms have a long history as both food and medicine. What are its health benefits? How can you safely enjoy mushrooms in food and as a supplement?
Studies have shown both in vitro and mammal studies to have potential roles in the prevention of many age-associated neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s Disease.[1.Rahman MA, Abdullah N, Aminudin N. (2016). Interpretation of mushroom as a common therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular diseases. Crit Rev Biotechnol. Dec;36(6):1131-1142.] Popular medicinal mushrooms include lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Sarcodon scabrosus, Antrodia camphorata, Pleurotus giganteus, maitake (Grifola frondosa), and many more. For example, Reishi mushrooms help reduce inflammation.[2.Phan CW, David P, Naidu M, Wong KH, Sabaratnam V. (2015). Therapeutic potential of culinary-medicinal mushrooms for the management of neurodegenerative diseases: diversity, metabolite, and mechanism. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2015;35(3):355-68.]
Continue reading “Edible Mushrooms: The Broad Range of Health Benefits”