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”
Category: Nutrition
Natural Ways to Help Lower Cholesterol
There are a number of food sources that lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease and cut the risk of Macular Degeneration naturally. These include olive oil, oat bran, apples, walnuts, red rice yeast, omega-3 fatty acids, and nattokinase.
There are several foods that help lower cholesterol levels.
Foods that are high in soluble fiber help reduce cholesterol. Soluble fiber draws water into the gut, softening stools and promoting regularity. Gut-friendly bacteria eat soluble fiber. Dietary fiber can be soluble or insoluble. Women should get 25 grams of dietary fiber per day, and men should get 38 grams per day. However, few Americans regularly reach this recommended daily amount (RDA). Continue reading “Natural Ways to Help Lower Cholesterol”
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.]
French Maritime Pine Bark Supports Healthy Cardiac Function and Eye Health
You may have heard that French Maritime pine bark extract, or Pinus pinaster, can reduce atherosclerosis. Hardening of the arteries is a leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. The middle-aged and seniors are vulnerable to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. Diet, exercise, and weight management are important for controlling metabolic syndrome. Additionally, this extract has been shown to alter fat metabolism and inflammation that are factors in atherosclerosis. How does French Maritime Pine bark extract address plaque build-up in the arteries? Continue reading “French Maritime Pine Bark Supports Healthy Cardiac Function and Eye Health”
Do Seniors Need to Supplement DHA for Vision Health?
Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is a naturally-occurring chemical, so why might seniors need to supplement it? Our bodies create small amounts of this omega-3 fatty acid. DHA from the diet, such as seafood, also counts. Docosahexaenoic acid is crucial to brain development in infants, and it is found in large quantities in the brain and retina. Researchers have found that consuming extra DHA can fight eye disease. How much docosahexaenoic acid do you need to get these effects? Can you get enough through your diet, or do you need to supplement DHA for optimum health? Continue reading “Do Seniors Need to Supplement DHA for Vision Health?”
Why Might Seniors Need Digestive Enzyme Supplements?
Our body naturally produces enzymes for digestion, so why might we need digestive enzyme supplements? Some fresh and fermented foods contain large amounts of digestive enzymes. How do these chemical catalysts help digestion? What happens if we do not have enough enzymes? Do we produce enough enzymes as we age? Does our diet today contain enough digestive enzymes? Continue reading “Why Might Seniors Need Digestive Enzyme Supplements?”
Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life
How can you save your vision regardless of your age? Eye disease is prevalent in seniors; however, people of all ages can take steps to protect their eyes. Here is Natural Eye Care’s guide to preserving the precious gift of sight.
At All Ages
Wear Sunglasses: The earth’s atmosphere has thinned, exposing our eyes to more ultraviolet light whenever we are outdoors. Wear 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when you are outside in the Continue reading “Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life”
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”