Category: Health Conditions

Nutrients & Diet for High Blood Pressure

walking to prevent high blood pressureDid you know that untreated high blood pressure increases the risk, not only of heart attacks and strokes, but eye conditions such as advanced macular degeneration, glaucoma, and macular edema?

Studies support a target blood pressure for most people of 120/80 mm Hg, with an optimal level of 115/75 mm Hg for many people.[1. Hansen TW, Kikuya M, Thijs L, Li Y, Boggia J, et al. (2008). Diagnostic thresholds for ambulatory blood pressure moving lower: a review based on a meta-analysis-clinical implications. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).  May;10(5):377-81.] Continue reading “Nutrients & Diet for High Blood Pressure”

Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-Zeaxanthin – An Update

Your Eyes Benefit from Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-zeaxanthin

food high in Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-zeaxanthinLutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are potent antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables, eggs, corn and even chocolate. They have a profound effect on preserving healthy vision, brain function, the immune and cardiovascular systems.

New research is focusing less on the well-established understanding of local benefit from nutrients, e.g. lutein for macular degeneration or cataract, and more on its systemic benefits affecting the immune system, the brain and cognitive function, the eye, cancer, and cardiovascular health.[1. Buscemi S, Corleo D, Di Pace F, Petroni ML, Satriano A, Marchesini G. The Effect of Lutein on Eye and Extra-Eye Health. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 18;10(9):1321.] In addition, new research is focused on the “why” of the benefit of these carotenoids.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Our retina is abundantly supplied with oxygen but repeated or prolonged exposure to light, especially UV and blue light, decreases long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3s) in the retina, increases certain molecular bonds (lipid conjugated dienes), and degrades the photoreceptors and retina.[2. Johra FT, Bepari AK, Bristy AT, Reza HM. (2020). A Mechanistic Review of β-Carotene, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin in Eye Health and Disease. Antioxidants (Basel). Oct 26;9(11):1046.]

Accumulated exposure to UV and blue light can cause accumulation of free radicals, oxidative stress, accelerate vision loss, and hasten breakdown of photoreceptor cells which are essential for vision. Continue reading “Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-Zeaxanthin – An Update”

What Causes Accelerated Aging? Research on Senescent Cells

senescent cell vs normal cell
Click the picture to enlarge

Remaining energetic and healthy is generally a goal for seniors. In this article, we will look at one of the factors that cause accelerated aging — senescent cells. Damaged cells cause visible signs of aging: liver spots, gray hair, and wrinkles. Disease, injury, and other stress factors harm cells throughout our body. Increased free radical activity contributes to accelerated aging.

Ideally, the damaged cells are removed by our immune system through a process called apoptosis. Damaged cells die, are eliminated, and are replaced by new cells.  About 1% of all of our cells are replaced daily — billions of cells.[1. Fischetti M, Christiansen J. (2021). A New You in 80 Days. Sci Am. 324(4):76.] Continue reading “What Causes Accelerated Aging? Research on Senescent Cells”

Hypertension and the Eyes

High Blood Pressure and Vision Health

blood vesselsHypertension increases sharply with advancing age; hence older persons are those most affected by its negative consequences.

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back part of the eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.

Those with high pressure not carefully controlled have a high incidence of heart attacks and strokes, as well as retinal disorders that can result in retinal bleeding, and other eye conditions such as hypertensive retinopathy, Central serous choroidopathy (CSCR), also referred to as central serous retinopathy (CSR) and glaucoma. Continue reading “Hypertension and the Eyes”

Microcurrent Stimulation for Eye Disease (and more)

microcurrent stimulationMicrocurrent Stimulation treatment protocols are designed to help people with retinal disease. MCS works by supporting nourishment and healing to the back of the eyes as well as possibly some cell regeneration. Retinal tissue is easily the most complex tissue in the entire body, and we tell people that they need to commit to regular treatment for a year, because it may take up to a year before they first see results, though benefits may be seen much sooner.

A number of research studies have suggested that daily use of specific microcurrent stimulation helps promote retinal (as well as optic nerve health) in 3 different ways: Continue reading “Microcurrent Stimulation for Eye Disease (and more)”

Glutathione Helpful for Covid-19

Researchers have noticed that patients with severe or fatal covid-19 are usually deficient in the amino acid and powerferful antioxidant, glutathione.

In fact, some researchers feel that glutathione deficiency may be the Trojan horse of covid-19-related death.[1. Khanfar A, Qaroot BA. (2020). Could glutathione depletion be the Trojan horse of COVID-19 mortality? Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. Dec;24(23):12500-12509.]

Continue reading “Glutathione Helpful for Covid-19”

Gut Microbiota, Vision, and Mental Health

gut microbes and dietDid you know that how well your gut works is directly related to your healthy vision and your healthy brain?

Healthy gut microbiota function is linked to normal central nervous system (CNS) function. The microbiota is defined as all microorganisms in a particular location, such as the GI tract, and their respective genetic material. The microbiome is initially developed transmission through the placenta, amniotic fluid, and meconium. The human gut microbiota comprises more than 100 trillion microorganisms associated with multiple functions, from nutrient metabolism to protection against pathogens. Continue reading “Gut Microbiota, Vision, and Mental Health”

Cardiovascular Disease Linked to Eye Disease

An eye exam can reveal disease

People with cardiovascular disease may be at a higher risk of developing certain eye diseases including macular degeneration, retinopathy, retinal bleeding, a retinal vein occlusion, and blurred vision.

Why is heart disease linked to eye disease?

Good vision requires, among other factors, adequate blood circulation, and normal blood pressure. The eyes have a network of tiny blood vessels, each no wider than a strand of hair, which supply blood to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyeball. Continue reading “Cardiovascular Disease Linked to Eye Disease”