Antioxidant Building Blocks

Did you know you can help your body create and maintain healthy levels of antioxidants?

Oxidative Stress Consequences

Mix of differrent berries

Our body is under constant stress due to the creation of free radicals. Oxidative stress, resulting from the presence of free radicals, is implicated directly or indirectly in many vision and health conditions. Some researchers consider oxidative stress to be the root of all (non-genetic driven) health conditions. With respect to vision, it is a factor in deterioration of the macula,[1. Blasiak J, Petrovski G, Vereb Z, Facsko A, Kaamiranta K. (2014). Oxidative stress, hypoxia, and autophagy in the neovascular processes of age-related macular degeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2014:768026.] the cornea,[2. Cejka C, Cejkova J. (2015). Oxidative stress to the cornea, changes in corneal optical properties, and advances in treatment of corneal oxidative injuries. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015:591530.] the photoreceptors,[3. Tsuruma K, Yamauchi M, Inokuchi Y, Sugitani S, Shimazawa M, et al. (2012). Role of oxidative stress in retinal photoreceptor cell death in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-treated mice. J Phrarmacol Sci. 118(3):351-62.] retinal microcapillaries,[4. Kowluru RA, Kowluru A, Mishra M, Kumar B. (2015). Oxidative stress and epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res. Sep;48:40-61.] and the optic nerve.[5. O’Hare DRL, Barlett CA, Maghzal GJ, Lam M, Archer M, et al. (2014). Reactive species and oxidative stress in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration. Exp Neurol. Nov;261:136-46.] Even for those prone to genetic diseases, free radicals can significantly worsen health conditions. Continue reading “Antioxidant Building Blocks”

CoQ10 Supports Mitochondrial Function in Every Cell

Senior taking CoQ10 supplementWhat is CoQ10?

Co-enzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient and antioxidant found in every cell in the body. It supports and promotes mitochondrial function essential for cellular energy. It is critical for eye, brain, and heart health. Health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes, and cancer have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.[1. Garrido-Maraver J, Cordero MD, Oropesa-Avila M, Alejandro Vega F, de la Mata M, et al. (2014). Clinical applications of coenzyme Q10. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). Jan 1;19(4):619-33.] The highest concentrations of COQ10 are found in organs with the greatest energy demands, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.[2. Rajiv Saini R. (2011). Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. Jul;3(3):466-7.] It is present in large quantities in the retina and the brain.[3. Spindler M, Beal MF, Henchcliffe C. (2009). Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurodegenerative disease. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2009;5:597-610.] [4. Saini R. (2011). Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. Jul;3(3):466-7.]

CoQ10 is essential because it supports mitochondria processes. Mitochondria are the cellular energy producers that support all cellular activity. When CoQ10 is depleted or deficient, cells throughout the body are deprived of a fundamental need. Other nutrients such as acetyl-l-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, PQQ, and alpha-lipoic acid enhance CoQ10 functioning. Continue reading “CoQ10 Supports Mitochondrial Function in Every Cell”

Melatonin Research Update

melatonin molecule researchThe body produces the hormone melatonin in several places, mostly in the pineal gland and the eyes. It is also produced in the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, skin, and white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Melatonin coordinates circadian rhythms and helps induce sleep. Research suggests the decline in melatonin levels that occurs during aging contributes to insomnia and other aging-associated conditions.

Melatonin does more than assist in balancing our circadian rhythms. New research substantiates that it helps our vision. Continue reading “Melatonin Research Update”

Benefits of Ghee or Clarified Butter

ghee clarified butter for cookingUse Ghee Instead of Butter

Ghee has long been a staple in Indian cuisine and is quite popular in US cooking.

Ghee is a type of clarified butter. It’s more concentrated in fat than butter, as its water and milk solids have been removed. Because there are no milk solids, it does not have to be refrigerated. Ghee stays solid at room temperature and does not go rancid.

It is full of fat-soluble vitamins (A, C, D, and K) and healthy fatty acids. Ghee benefits can range from building stronger bones to enhancing weight loss. This can be especially crucial if you suffer from any conditions like leaky gut syndrome, IBS or Crohn’s, as your body may have difficulty absorbing fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E and K. Vitamin K is essential in supporting bone health. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the diets of 2,591 adults and found that a low intake of vitamin K was associated with reduced bone mass density in women.[1. Booth SL, Broe KE, Gagnon DR, Tucker KL, Hannan MT, et al. (2003). Vitamin K intake and bone mineral density in women and men. Am J Clin Nutr. Feb;77(2):512-6.] Continue reading “Benefits of Ghee or Clarified Butter”

New Corneal Research

cornea transplantThe cornea is in front of the lens. It is a clear layer, seeming to lack substance.  However, it is comprised of multiple layers and groups of cells and proteins which are highly organized.

Unlike other parts of the body, the cornea does not contain any blood vessels to nourish or protect the tissue against infection. Instead, the cornea receives its nourishment from tears and aqueous humor, a fluid in the front portion of the eye that fills the chamber between the cornea and the lens. The cornea must remain transparent to refract light properly and enable clear vision. The presence of even the tiniest blood vessels can interfere with this process. To see well, all layers of the cornea must be free of any cloudy or opaque areas. Continue reading “New Corneal Research”

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”

Research on Reversing Color Blindness

Approximately eight per cent of men and one-half of one per cent of women in the U.S. have a problem with their color perception.

Most colorblind people have lost only part of their color vision. Usually, only one or two types of cones are either absent or not functioning normally. If the dysfunction is in green cones, a person will be deficient picking up green. However, red and blue colors and combinations of red and blue will still be seen. Continue reading “Research on Reversing Color Blindness”

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)”