Brain Health and Nutrition

Family sharing a meal. Nutrition is crucial for brain healthThe brain and eyes are intimately connected, and the nutrients essential for eye health are the same as for brain health. A retinal scan can detect the early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis before symptoms appear.

Numerous studies have shown that dietary factors help prevent brain and eye disease. They have a critical effect on neuronal function and synaptic plasticity. Recent findings have shed light on key processes through which nutrition influences brain health and cognitive performance. Alongside lifestyle factors like physical activity, what we eat has played a significant part in the development of our mental abilities and the evolution of the human brain. Continue reading “Brain Health and Nutrition”

Healthy Cells Mean a Healthy Body: Mitochondria Maintenance

mitochondriaKeeping our cells healthy is key to staying well and helping to prevent disease. Your 30 trillion cells each contain mitochondria, the cell’s tiny “battery” and energy source. The main cause of death worldwide is non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung diseases, and brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Anything you do to keep your mitochondria healthy can mitigate these diseases, potentially extending life and increasing the quality of life. We have talked about how mitochondria work in some of our previous articles. In this article, we will discuss the origins of mitochondria, lifestyle considerations, and symptoms of mitochondria disease. Also, we include a long list of foods, supplements and nutrients that support mitochondrial functioning.

Continue reading “Healthy Cells Mean a Healthy Body: Mitochondria Maintenance”

Visual Detox – A Whole-Body Connection

visual detoxVisual detox refers to purifying the eyes of debris, toxins, and the effects of bad visual habits. Debris build-up can affect vision health and contribute to the onset of eye disease. These diseases can include eye irritation, effects on lacrimation related to dry eyes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration (AMD). Focusing too much on close-up computer screens leads to computer eye strain symptoms and reduces the free flow of energy to the eyes. As the eyes’ health is directly connected to whole-body well-being, we must look at detoxification from a whole-body perspective.

Other symptoms of toxin build-up can include ocular burning, watering, pain, and photophobia [1. Dwivedi et al., 1985], conjunctivitis and corneal opacity.[2. Maskati, 1986]

Whole-body toxicity symptoms can include:  Continue reading “Visual Detox – A Whole-Body Connection”

DHA is a Crucial Omega-3 Fatty Acid

Salmon rich in dha and omega 3 fatty acidsDHA 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”

Vision Empowerment – Part II

vision empowerment foodIn the article, we discussed several essential nutrients for the eye and overall health. This follow-up article focuses on several additional important nutrients: astaxanthin, PUFA’s (polyunsaturated fatty acids), and trehalose.

Bird’s Eye View
This article examines several nutrients that are important for the eyes and overall health. The nutrients come in many forms, and all represent building blocks for well-being. They are:

Astaxanthin, Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, Trehalose

A well-rounded diet is the best source of vitamins and minerals. However, getting all the needed nutrients from food is difficult. Taking supplements is sometimes necessary to promote good health. Curious? Keep reading! Continue reading “Vision Empowerment – Part II”

All About Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids foods and supplementsThe standard Western diet, with many processed foods, white grains, fats, sugars, preservatives, and flavorings lacks essential nutrients to support the retina. These non-beneficial components aggravate inflammation in the body – an underlying, and sometimes a direct cause of illness, premature aging, and cellular degeneration.

Essential nutrients include a wide range of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and vitamin-like nutrients. Among them, a star component of good health and good vision, are the omega-3 fatty acids.

Continue reading “All About Omega-3 Fatty Acids”

Fatty Acids Reduce PMS and Ward Off Eye Disease

Fatty Acids & Diabetic retinopathy
Image via womenshealth.gov

Here’s another reason to include fatty acids in your diet: they may help relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

A study published in the journal Reproductive Health showed that, compared to placebo, women who took one to two grams of fatty acids per day reported an alleviation of PMS symptoms.  Researchers note that taking a daily dose of fatty acids did not increase cholesterol levels.

Source: nutraceuticalsworld.com

Fatty acids, in the form of omega-3s and omega 6-s have been shown to help prevent and improve conditions such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Ginkgo & PMS

Another study shows that supplementing with Gingko Biloba can significantly reduce physical and psychological symptoms due to PMS. Overall severity of symptoms in the Gingko groups was 34.80% before the treatment and reduced to 11.11% after the treatment.

Ozgoli G, Selselei E. Mojab F. Majd H. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Gingko Biloba L., in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug:15(8):845-51

 

Mercury in Fish Can Increase Blood Pressure: Find Omegas in Other Sources for Heart and Eye Health

Your new year’s resolutions may well include eating better, both for the health of your heart and the health of your eyes.  The essential fatty acids found in fish can be a great addition to your diet.

In particular, omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce cholesterol and increase circulation to the retina.  Omega-6 fatty acids are important as they protect cells from degenerative changes and reduce inflammation throughout the body. Both Omega 3s and 6s help prevent and even treat glaucoma and macular degeneration.

ocean
image via noaa.gov

A word of caution about your fish intake the effect of mercury which contaminates the larger ocean predator fish (tuna, swordfish, marlin, sharks, etc): too much mercury in the body can raise your blood pressure.

Source: theheart.org/article/1010897.doc

Small fish like sardines are a safe choice, but there are non-swimming sources of essential fatty acids out there too.  Find omega-3s in flax seed oil, black current oil, walnuts and walnut oils, dark leafy vegetables, eggs (preferably from free range chickens), spices (including mustard, fennel, cumin, and fenugreek).  Get your omega-6s from evening primrose, borage and black currant oils.


Learn more about food sources of nutrients and how they can benefit your eyes and your whole body.

Omega Fatty Acids Treat Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Diabetic Retinopathy

seafood
image via FDA

Scientists are continually evaluating the powerful compounds found in omega-3 fatty acids to determine further ways they can be used to make us healthier.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association sought to find out whether taking omega-3 supplements could help those who suffer from atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats caused by the upper chambers of the heart beating out of sync with the upper potentially leading to a stroke).  In this case, the researchers did not find that taking omega-3 supplements over six months helped decrease instances of atrial fibrillation.  Source: https://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/304/21/2363?rss=1

But, there have been numerous other studies that have shown how omega fatty acids can be very beneficial, specifically to those suffering from macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy.

For more research on the eye and overall health conditions that you are most concerned about, visit our research index.

Study of Fish Oil Quality and Content

fish oil capsules
Image courtesy of nccam.nih.gov

Independent testing by a White Plains, NY firm, ConsumerLab.com, has found that 7 of 24 fish oil supplements tested exhibited quality problems.  Some products exhibited multiple issues.

  • Three products contained less of the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and/or DHA than claimed,
  • Three product were spoiled (including a children’s supplement)
  • One enteric-coated product released its ingredients too early
  • One supplement for pets exceeded the contamination limit for PCBs.

We recommend fish oil supplements highly because their Omega-3 fatty acids help improve circulation, integrity of blood vessels, proper brain functioning, flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, and helps protect the retina’s photoreceptor cells.  They help to prevent and treat such conditions as glaucoma and macular degeneration.

You can access detailed test results at ConsumerLab.com