Category: Nutrition

Lutein – More Than Meets the Eye

marigold petals are an excellent natural source of luteinThe macular pigment of the eye is formed by a combination of lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein is more than just a filter of blue light and an antioxidant. Consider these points about lutein:

Research is showing that certain eye conditions that are believed to be caused by, Continue reading “Lutein – More Than Meets the Eye”

Neurodegeneration Reversed by Novel Magnesium Compound MgT

BrainIs it possible to prevent or mitigate Alzheimer’s disease through supplementation? Researchers are looking at magnesium’s role in protecting the aging brain from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. A new, highly absorbent foam type of magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) concentrates in the brain and restores the types of brain deterioration found in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of memory loss. Experimental models predict  improvement in both short-term memory and long-term memory.

Magnesium is an important nutrient for proper brain functioning. Recent research has showed that magnesium specifically promotes memory and learning due to its beneficial effect on synaptic plasticity and density. Calcium and magnesium work together.

Continue reading “Neurodegeneration Reversed by Novel Magnesium Compound MgT”

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) May Help Glaucoma

how glaucoma looksThe supplement alpha lipoic acid (ALA) showed some promise for helping glaucoma patients. Patients who had open angle glaucoma were given the 150 mg of ALA per day to see if the supplement made an difference to the effects of this common eye disease. The study showed that 45-47% of the eyes in the study enhanced color visual fields and visual sensitivity versus the controls. The controls only received topical medical therapy.

Alpha lipoic acid is present in every cell in the human body. It converts glucose into energy.

Lipoic acid is a fatty acid that is in most foods, but only in very tiny amounts. Certain organ meats, broccoli, yeast extract and spinach have Continue reading “Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) May Help Glaucoma”

Vitamin E Contact Lenses for Glaucoma Instead of Eye Drops

vitamin E contact lensTreatment for the second leading cause of vision loss and blindness, glaucoma, may be improved with a new type of contact lenses that are loaded with Vitamin E. These new Vitamin E contact lenses may serve as delivery devices to treat glaucoma and other eye diseases such as dry eye and cataracts.

Medicated eye drops are typically prescribed as the primary treatment for glaucoma; however, the medicine is washed away in 2 to 5 minutes and most of it doesn’t reach the target tissues. Instead, most of eye drops enter the blood stream, where they may cause unwanted side effects.

Continue reading “Vitamin E Contact Lenses for Glaucoma Instead of Eye Drops”

Vision Improved in Macular Degeneration Patients with Nutrition

peas contain important nutrientsA new study published in the November 2011 Journal of Optometry confirms improved vision in elderly patients with early Macular Degeneration through nutritional supplementation with Zeaxanthin (a carotenoid in the family of lutein).

The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF), conducted by eye nutrition pioneer Stuart Richer, PhD, OD at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago, shows scientific evidence that dietary Zeaxanthin improved vision in night driving and fine detail, among others.

Continue reading “Vision Improved in Macular Degeneration Patients with Nutrition”

Age-related Macular Degeneration May Be Helped with Melatonin in Research Study

age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of serious vision loss and blindness in the elderlyA study indicates that melatonin supplements may slow and even reverse the effects of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). ARMD is the leading cause of serious vision loss in elderly persons.

The symptoms of ARMD include seeing wavy lines that should be straight, blurred text, and/or dark or empty spaces in the center of the field of vision. The cells that sense light in the eye’s macula stop functioning correctly and after some time, they do not work at all. A simple visual test called the Asmler grid is an effective screening for age-related macular degeneration.

Continue reading “Age-related Macular Degeneration May Be Helped with Melatonin in Research Study”

Statin Drugs and Muscle Injuries

blood test for high cholesterol statin drugsPatients taking statin drugs to lower cholesterol might be more likely to get muscle injuries, especially elderly patients.(1) Side effects and adverse reactions, according to other research, may include increased stroke risk, higher risk of Type II Diabetes, low iron, pancreatic dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, suppressed immune system, muscle pain, and more.

Be aware that increased incidence of cataracts may also be linked with statin drugs.  A study(2) suggests that statin drugs are associated with an increased risk of cataracts in both men and women. In the study, cataracts risk went up within 12 months of starting statin drugs, continued while taking the drug, and dropped back to normal Continue reading “Statin Drugs and Muscle Injuries”

Drink Green Tea to Reduce Body Fat

Weight loss scaleDid you over-indulge in too many high-calorie foods over the holidays? Put on a few extra pounds? Two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and a few extra pounds add up to health risks. However, drinking green tea may help fight body fat and also lower cholesterol levels.

Green tea is lower in caffeine than coffee, so it makes a great coffee substitute. A high intake of caffeine can cause nervousness, dependence, and sleep problems.

A recent, small study on green tea in Japan showed that taking green tea extract was associated with losing body fat and weight. The more green tea extract the study participants took, the bigger the effect. The subjects also had lower LDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure (to counteract hypertension). Continue reading “Drink Green Tea to Reduce Body Fat”

Baby Boomer Natural Eye Care in the 21st Century

As the “Baby Boomer” generation in the United States approaches their 60’s and beyond, the incidence of eye disease in this aging population will rise. Eye problems become more prevalent as an individual ages. What are the most common eye diseases in older people? How can eye geriatric eye disease be prevented and addressed naturally? And what does Baby Boomer natural eye care look like?

Macular Degeneration

A major reason for visual impairment and blindness in adults aged 50+ is Macular Degeneration, also known as ARMD (Aged-Related Macular Degeneration). Vision in the center of the visual field is impaired, but peripheral vision remains. People with macular degeneration have difficulty writing, driving, recognizing faces and reading. Symptoms include:

  • Colors look dim
  • Words appear blurred or difficult to read
  • Straight lines look wavy
  • Dark or blank areas block the center of your vision
  • Distinct shapes are blurry
  • Fog in the center of your vision

Anyone with any of these symptoms should Continue reading “Baby Boomer Natural Eye Care in the 21st Century”

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.