Category: Research

Retina Scans Identify Early Onset Disease

retina scan
Retina Scan

A growing body of evidence continues to show that the microvasculature in the retina may be a reliable indicator of the overall health of the body’s circulatory system and brain. Changes in the eye accompany aging and also reflect other health conditions and various age-related diseases include: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, AIDS, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

The optic nerve is brain tissue, so there is a strong correlation between changes in the brain and signs in the optic nerve and retina. The optic nerve and retina are created from brain tissue in the womb. The retina contains some of the smallest capillaries in the body, so they are sensitive to health changes in the body.[1. Ahadi S, Wilson KA Jr, Babenko B, McLean CY, Bryant D, et al. (2023). Longitudinal fundus imaging and its genome-wide association analysis provide evidence for a human retinal aging clock. Elife. Mar 28;12:e82364. ] Continue reading “Retina Scans Identify Early Onset Disease”

What is Brain Fog?

senior with brain fogHave you been feeling forgetful, confused, unmotivated, irritable, anxious?  These may be symptoms of “brain fog,” a general term for decreased cognitive ability.

Top descriptors of brain fog are ‘forgetful,’ ‘cloudy,’ and ‘difficulty focusing, thinking, and communicating’.[1. Ross AJ, Medow MS, Rowe PC, Stewart JM. (2013). What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome. Clin Auton Res. Dec;23(6):305-11.] Symptoms of brain fog can include: slow or hazy thinking, difficulty focusing, confusion, lack of concentration, low motivation, trouble remembering things, irritability, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and lack of incentive to exercise.

Causes or Contributing Factors

Metabolic Factors

    • Hormonal changes. Changes to the three primary hormones dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol, determine your mood, energy, and focus. Cortisol helps keep you awake and alert and is often called the body’s primary ‘stress hormone.’ Dopamine and serotonin help keep you joyful, motivated, and calm. Hormonal changes that occur with menopause can also cause brain fog as can imbalances in thyroid output.[2. Martin S, Chen K, Harris N, Vera-Llonch M, Krasner A. (2019). Development of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measuring Chronic Hypoparathyroidism. Adv Ther. Jun 10.]
    • Chronic fatigue syndrome is a clinically defined set of symptoms of unknown etiology most notable for persistent fatigue lasting greater than six months, is of new onset, not related to exertion or improved with rest, and is debilitating to a person’s lifestyle.[3. Fukuda K, Straus SE, Hickie I, Sharpe MC, Dobbins JG, Komaroff A. (1994). Chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study.  Ann Intern Med. Dec 15; 121(12):953-9.]

Continue reading “What is Brain Fog?”

Mitochondria: Essential Powerhouse for Brain & Vision

Cellular organelles called mitochondria produce energy.

Why are mitochondria essential to your health and well-being?

Mitochondria are the energy batteries of our cells. They are tiny organelles within most cells of the body that provide respiration and energy. Low metabolism develops in the brain as we age and is noticeable in brain regions where mitochondrial structure has changed. [1. Hirai K, Aliev G, Nunomura A, Fujioka H, Russell RL, et al. (2001). Mitochondrial abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease. J Neuro-sci. May 1; 21(9):3017-23.] The mitochondria attempt to replace themselves whenever they are damaged and destroyed. However, mitochondrial biogenesis can be disrupted. Mitochondrial disease, oxidative stress and free radical damage, drinking alcohol, eating a poor diet, and heavy metals can harm the mitochondria. Research on links between mitochondrial dysfunction and Alzheimer’s Disease are underway. The good news is that lifestyle and natural supplements can support healthy mitochondria functioning. Continue reading “Mitochondria: Essential Powerhouse for Brain & Vision”

New! Natural Eye Care Series of Mini-Books on Eye Disease and Conditions

minibooks natural eye careLooking for detailed information on a specific eye condition? Natural Eye Care is releasing a series of Mini-Books. Each short book focuses on a specific eye condition, such as Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eyes, and Eye Floaters. These self-help books explore natural ways to help protect and support healthy vision. Discover specific nutrients, diet, exercise, essential oils, Chinese medicine, and more. The cost of each book is $14.95 in paperback, or $9.95, coming soon, as an pdf file e-book. Continue reading “New! Natural Eye Care Series of Mini-Books on Eye Disease and Conditions”

Eating More Broccoli Could Protect Your Brain From Aging

steamed broccoliWhat are phytochemicals?

Plant-based biochemicals protect our bodies with respect to both overall health and wellbeing and longevity. Natural compounds produced by plants, known as phytochemicals, exert a protective and therapeutic effect against pathological changes in body tissue that may be not only a result of disease, but a cause of disease.[1. Khalaj L, Nejad SC, Mohammadi M, Zadeh SS, Pour MH, et al. (2013). Assessing Competence of Broccoli Consumption on Inflammatory and Antioxidant Pathways in Restraint-Induced Models: Estimation in Rat Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex. Biomed Res Int. 2013;590379.] Continue reading “Eating More Broccoli Could Protect Your Brain From Aging”

Patch with Microneedles Could Replace Eye Injections

microneedles patch instead of injectionsInstead of getting eye injections, patients with serious eye diseases may in the near future be eligible for a contact lens-type patch.[1. Aung Than, Chenghao Liu, Hao Chang, Phan Khanh Duong, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung, Chenjie Xu, Xiaomeng Wang, Peng Chen. Self-implantable double-layered micro-drug-reservoirs for efficient and controlled ocular drug delivery. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06981-w] Injections are often recommended for eye diseases such as Wet (advanced) Age-Related Macular Degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. The new patch is inserted painlessly like a contact lens. It delivers tiny microneedles containing medication. The microneedles are made from natural materials and dissolve over time, gradually releasing medicine. Patients would be more likely to stick with a regimen that does not involve eye injections.

Eye Injections: Stick a Needle in My Eye

Patients generally dread eye injections. Injections must be performed in a doctor’s office. Eye injections are not typically painful but can have some negative side effects such as occasionally pain after the injection. Continue reading “Patch with Microneedles Could Replace Eye Injections”

Inhibiting Angiogenesis in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy

test for armd or angiogenesisWet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to vision loss from angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the growth of unwanted blood vessels in the retina. These excess blood vessels obscure or distort vision and damage the eye. They can result in permanent damage if not treated, typically by injection of EyLea, Avastin, or Lucentis. Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Diabetic Retinopathy are most prevalent among seniors over age 60. Are there any natural methods to help retard the growth of extra blood vessels in the eye? Continue reading “Inhibiting Angiogenesis in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy”

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) Supplements Have Anti-Aging and Brain Health Benefits

pqq Pyrroloquinoline quinoneScientists are learning more about nutrients that impact the cells and brain. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a nutrient found in certain fruits, vegetables, tea, and eggs. PQQ supplements appear to improve mitochondrial functioning and improve the brain. As people age, the tiny mitochondria inside cells become increasingly damaged. PQQ is a quinone that could prove to be an important anti-aging supplement.

Humans cannot produce their own pyrroloquinoline quinone. You can get some PQQ through your diet. PQQ is found naturally in food such as bananas, cabbage, carrots, celery, egg yolks, fava beans, field mustard, green peppers, kiwi, miso, natto (fermented soybeans), oranges, papayas, parsley, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, tofu, tomatoes, and green teas. Bacteria inside of people may be able to produce some PQQ. However, PQQ supplements provide a steady, predictable dose. We recommend just 10 mg to 20 mg of PQQ supplements per day. Continue reading “Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) Supplements Have Anti-Aging and Brain Health Benefits”

Natural Parkinson’s Disease Prevention and Support: Help for Neurological Diseases?

Parkinson's DiseaseParkinson’s disease is a multi-neurological disease. Currently, most Parkinson’s treatments focus on increasing dopamine production and reducing motor symptoms and tremors through medication. However, this disease has many causative or contributing factors that cause changes in healthy brain function. Many of these factors are also relevant for dementia, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Wilson’s diseases as well. Which factors impact brain functioning and the development of brain disease? Are there natural approaches to preventing and slowing the progress of such devastating diseases? This article offers a brief overview, based on the new book, Natural Parkinson’s Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s. Continue reading “Natural Parkinson’s Disease Prevention and Support: Help for Neurological Diseases?”