EMF Pollution Studies May Indicate Ill Effects

cell phone EMF radiation pollutionCan electromagnetic (EMF) pollution represent any harm to the human body? These three research studies may indicate ill effects of EMF pollution on the brain and body. The first studied cell phones’ impact on brain chemistry; the second looked at the impact on the brain of radiation from wireless devices; and the third revealed that the brain may be very sensitive to even very weak electromagnetic fields.

A study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that during a 50-minute cell phone call, the area of the brain near the antenna had increased brain glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism is an indicator of brain activity. The problem is that if cell phone radiation effects the levels of glucose in the brain, it might also be changing neurotransmitters and neurochemical activities. The researchers, including the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health, have preliminary indications of long-term effects. More research is needed to understand the impact of this finding on human health. Continue reading “EMF Pollution Studies May Indicate Ill Effects”

Computer Vision Syndrome: Electronics Take Their Toll on Eye Health

Computer eye syndromeDo your eyes spend more than 4 hours a day looking at the screen of an electronic device? If so, you are at risk for computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome symptoms include eye strain, fatigue, dry eyes and headaches from staring at a screen too long.

Are You at Risk?

To find out if you are at risk, keep a journal for a week of how long you spend watching TV, gazing at a smartphone, surfing the Internet, working on the computer, playing video games, and reading on a tablet device. The typical American youth is getting 7.5 hours of “screen time” a day – and since many adults use computers at work, they may get much more time.

Continue reading “Computer Vision Syndrome: Electronics Take Their Toll on Eye Health”

Incidence of Blindness Drops in Denmark Due to Treatment of Wet AMD

blindnessIncrease in the delivery of a treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) has resulted in a significant 50% reduction of new cases of blindness in Denmark, according to a study published in the American Journal of Opthamology. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the West. Specifically, AMD patients lose reading vision and their ability to drive, resulting in revocation of their drivers’ license.

Wet AMD is the most serious type of macular degeneration. Abnormal blood vessels start  to grow in the eye, toward the yellow spot in the middle of the retina called the macular. The macular provides the most visual acuity, as well as perception of color. Wet AMD results in quick and severe loss of vision.

Continue reading “Incidence of Blindness Drops in Denmark Due to Treatment of Wet AMD”

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”

Strengthen Your Muscles from Your Eyes to Your Toes

exercise for the elderly including the eyesWhen you are in your 30’s, your skeletal muscle mass will peak. After that, they will reduce slightly in number and size every year. By the time you are in your 50’s, 15% of muscle mass may be lost, and by your 80’s, as much as 30% of muscle mass may be lost.

Obviously, strength training is crucial to strengthen your muscles and  increase their size. Being strong and fit helps maintain good health and energy, reduces osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, burns calories for weight management, improves sleep, cuts cancer risk, and much more!

Everyone should make exercise a priority throughout their lives. However, up to 75% of older Americans do not get enough exercise.(1)

It is generally recommended that older adults should do strength training two or three times per week, performing 10-15 repetitions of approximately 8 to 10 different exercises.(1)

Recent research Continue reading “Strengthen Your Muscles from Your Eyes to Your Toes”

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”

Prevent Dry Eyes During Holiday Travel

traveling by air can resutls in dry eyes
Don’t let air travel dry out your eyes!

Does the idea of flying out to spend the holidays with family and friends make your eyes mist up?

Good! You’re going to need the moisture!

One of the biggest challenges with air travel is to prevent dry eyes. Why?

Low Humidity

You are probably used to a relative humidity above 40%. If you have a hygrometer or humidity sensor in your house, you are in the habit of monitoring your home’s relative humidity. When the humidity gets too low, such as in cold climates in the winter, you may experience dry eyes, sinus irritation and dry skin. Some homeowners install a humidifier in the winter to keep humidity at a comfortable level that does not allow mold growth, in the range of 40% – 49%.

The cabins in airplanes have relative humidity of 5% to 20%. This can lead to the surface of the eyes starting to dry out. Your eyes are naturally moistened by tears produced by the tear ducts. However, if the air on the outside of the eye is dry, moisture on the eye’s surface will start to evaporate more quickly than the tear ducts can produce moisture. Continue reading “Prevent Dry Eyes During Holiday Travel”

Outdoor Activity Might Reduce Myopia in Children

outdoor time may reduce myopia in children and teensThe rise of myopia, also known as shortsightedness, has increased significantly in the past 30 years in the United States. Time spent outdoors has dropped off in this time period. Researchers at the National Eye Institute conducted a study of children and teens that shows a possible link between less time spent in outdoor activity and myopia.

In the early 1970’s, 25% of 12 to 54 year olds in the United States had myopia. In 1999-2004, that figure was 42%, a huge increase.

Myopia means that the eye focuses in front of the retina, making vision blurry. This condition is thought to be caused by Continue reading “Outdoor Activity Might Reduce Myopia in Children”

Glaucoma Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

image via www.nih.gov

Don’t just take it from us that glaucoma risk increases in those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, and who are overweight.  Researchers publishing in the journal Ophthalmology have found that these conditions, which together are labeled “metabolic syndrome” are all linked to the development of open-angle glaucoma.

A staggering 20% of people in America are said to have metabolic syndrome.  Both metabolic syndrome and glaucoma are associated with aging, so, as the US population gets older, scientists believe that both conditions with become more prevalent.

This study included over two million adults over age 40.  The study authors analyzed the results from the subjects’ eye care records to discover the correlations between metabolic syndrome and glaucoma.  According to this story’s source, PCON Supersite, “Raw data showed that 1,576,993 subjects had at least one metabolic disease; 55,090 subjects had OAG.”

PCON Supersite goes on: “Adjusted data showed that subjects with diabetes alone had a 35% increased risk of developing OAG, and those with hypertension alone had a 17% increased risk. Those with diabetes and hypertension combined had a 48% risk. Those with hyperlipidemia alone had a 5% decreased risk. Obese subjects had a 14% increased risk.”

Learn more about your glaucoma risk factors.

 

Failing Eyesight Linked to Increased Fall Risk In Seniors

Failing eyesight is a key factor in increased fall risk in older adults.

A study out of the UK shows that 270,000 individuals over age 60 who have fallen in the last two years can blame poor vision.  This research also shows that many older adults in the UK do not take advantage of the free vision tests to which they are entitled.

An organization called Age UK is hoping to raise awareness about the need for regular vision exams and about the correlation between accidents and eye conditions that hinder sight.  Source: Medical News Today

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to warding off potentially blinding conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration.  Learn more about our Vision Wellness Protocol.