We continue our series on brain health with this short discussion of nutrient deficiencies and a number of health issues which can cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s Disease. These should be checked for anyone showing signs of dementia. And we should all pay attention to getting a balanced diet with enough of these important nutrients, supplementing if necessary. Continue reading “Is It Alzheimer’s or Something Else?”
This is the first of a series of articles discussing how to maintain healthy brain function based on my newest book Natural Brain Support: Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s and Dementia Naturally.
There is a strong connection between eye and brain health, and in fact the optic nerve is brain tissue and the retina was created prenatally from brain cells. Many of the nutrients discussed below are needed for healthy vision but also are found in the brain as well.
An eye doctor can often identify health issues because of observed changes in the retina. An eye doctor can detect hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease before it gets to the point that the specialists can identify them. Continue reading “The Eye-Brain-Alzheimer’s-Dementia Connection”
Glutathione is rather amazing – low levels are biomarkers for various conditions and it is a “super antioxidant.”
Low levels of glutathione are linked to cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and brain neurodegenerative problems. The amount of glutathione in blood plasma is considered an overall indicator of the body’s antioxidant defense system.
Glutathione (GSH) is a super free radical fighter with the capacity to neutralize the full spectrum of free radicals. Normal metabolic activity creates free radicals, they can be destructive. They are missing an electron in their outer orbit and therefore try to steal one from a nearby healthy cell, rendering that cell dysfunctional. Continue reading “Glutathione is a Super-Antioxidant”
Our bodies are designed to handle stressful situations, referred to as the “flight or fight” mode, wherein when we need to quickly react, the body goes into action and produces hormones that stimulate the adrenal system, raise cortisol levels, and gets our muscles instantly ready to go. Once that situation is resolved, our body has the remarkable ability to return back to homeostasis or normal balance quickly.
But modern-day life may keep one in flight or fight readiness too often. This may be due to ongoing work pressure, relationship and money issues, or the stress related to COVID-19. Chronic stress can, over time, overwork the adrenal system resulting in fatigue and poor circulation. In turn, fatigue and poor circulation limit the ability of the body to deliver essential nutrients to the eyes.
Subtle floating shapes
Floaters are a good name for the small dark shapes that float before our eyes. You might not notice them at all unless you are looking for them. They are common as we age. These spots may look like squiggles, strands, or any of a hundred other shapes. Though they can be annoying, floaters are physiologically harmless to the eyes.
But if you suddenly become aware of floaters, particularly accompanied by bright flashes of light, it may signal a vitreous tear or detachment, or a more serious condition such as a retinal tear or detachment, so you should contact your eye doctor right away.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us to avoid touching our eyes, nose, mouth, or anywhere on the face with unwashed hands. This should help prevent us from contracting Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19).
Learn about important updates as scientists learn more about how COVID impacts the eyes.
Continue reading “COVID-19 and Your Vision”
Tired eyes are one of the most common complaints eye doctors get from their patients. In this era of computers and mobile devices, the average person in the United States spends about 10 hours, 39 minutes daily in screen time.[1. Howard J. (2016). Americans at more than 10 hours a day on screens. CNN, Cable News Network, 29 July 2016, www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/health/americans-screen-time-nielsen/index.html]
Asthenopia is the technical name for tired eyes. It describes a number of symptoms resulting in eye strain and/or fatigue, red eyes, blurred vision, pain in or around the eyes, mild or severe headaches, and rare double vision which generally begins after many hours of close work on the computer or other close work. Some of these problems arise because computer/smartphone users’ blink rate slows[2. Golebiowski B, Long J, Harrison K, Lee A, Chidi-Egboka N, et al. (2020). Smartphone Use and Effects on Tear Film, Blinking and Binocular Vision. Curr Eye Res. Apr;45(4):428-434.] causing the eyes to be dry and resulting in eye tiredness. [3. Choi JH, Li Y, Kim SH, Jin R, Kim YH, et al. (2018) The influences of smartphone use on the status of the tear film and ocular surface. PLoS One. Oct 31;13(10):e0206541] Continue reading “Do You Suffer From Tired Eyes?”
Liver, Chinese Medicine and Eye HealthYou may have heard that the eyes are related to the liver. But how can that be and what does that mean? What are the practical implications?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners understand that the health of the body is intimately connected to the flow – or blockage – of energy. TCM has identified specific ‘channels’ or pathways this flow of energy takes. Each pathway is called a meridian, and each meridian links to pairs of yin-yang organs, for example the Liver being the Yin organ and its corresponding yang organ being the Gallbladder. The meridians function as a non-physical network mapped out throughout the entire body, with some of the meridians running through and connected to specific organs such as the Liver, Lung, Spleen, Heart, and Kidney. Continue reading “What is the Connection Between the Liver and the Eyes?”
The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin help keep the eyes healthy. A new study has found that these nutrients also improve the circulation of blood to the brain. Seniors experience gradual cognitive decline. A recent study showed that taking enough of these antioxidants halted cognitive decline. Research supports the idea that nutrition has a direct impact on the brains and eyes throughout one’s lifespan from infancy (breast milk contains lutein) to old age.[1. Johnson EJ. (2014). Role of lutein and zeaxanthin in visual and cognitive function throughout the lifespan. Nutr Rev. Sep;72(9):605-12.]
Continue reading “Zeaxanthin and Lutein Save the Eyes and Improve Brain Circulation”
The lowly microalgae in the ocean produce astaxanthin for their protection against environmental stressors and light. Fish and crustaceans consume microalgae and retain the bright red color that we see in salmon, sea trout, shrimp, and krill.
When we enjoy savory salmon, the benefit of the astaxanthin that it contains extends to our vision, brain, circulatory system, immune system, etc., but with a difference. It provides significantly greater antioxidant protection (10x to 100x more) than other antioxidants.[1. Chiro.org. Antioxidants: Relative Singlet Oxygen Quenching Rates. Retrieved Apr 16 2018 from http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Antioxidants_Relative_Singlet_Oxygen_Quenching_Rates.html.] [2. Kurashige M, et al. (1990). Inhibition of oxidative injury of biological membranes by astaxanthin. Physiol Chem Phys Med NMR. 1990;22(1):27-38.] [3. Rodrigues E, et al. (2012). Scavenging capacity of marine carotenoids against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in a membrane-mimicking system. Mar Drugs. Aug;10(8):1784-98.] Continue reading “Astaxanthin: Carotenoid with a Difference”