Neurodegeneration Reversed by Novel Magnesium Compound MgT

BrainIs it possible to prevent or mitigate Alzheimer’s disease through supplementation? Researchers are looking at magnesium’s role in protecting the aging brain from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. A new, highly absorbent foam type of magnesium-L-threonate (MgT) concentrates in the brain and restores the types of brain deterioration found in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of memory loss. Experimental models predict  improvement in both short-term memory and long-term memory.

Magnesium is an important nutrient for proper brain functioning. Recent research has showed that magnesium specifically promotes memory and learning due to its beneficial effect on synaptic plasticity and density. Calcium and magnesium work together.

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Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) May Help Glaucoma

how glaucoma looksThe supplement alpha lipoic acid (ALA) showed some promise for helping glaucoma patients. Patients who had open angle glaucoma were given the 150 mg of ALA per day to see if the supplement made an difference to the effects of this common eye disease. The study showed that 45-47% of the eyes in the study enhanced color visual fields and visual sensitivity versus the controls. The controls only received topical medical therapy.

Alpha lipoic acid is present in every cell in the human body. It converts glucose into energy.

Lipoic acid is a fatty acid that is in most foods, but only in very tiny amounts. Certain organ meats, broccoli, yeast extract and spinach have Continue reading “Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) May Help Glaucoma”

Cancer Drug May Help Alzheimer’s Disease

alzheimer's patientThere is no cure for the degenerative brain disease called Alzheimer’s, and current conventional treatments have a limited effect. However, research into a drug used to treat skin cancer may show “stunning” potential to help with Alzheimer’s disease.

The drug is called bexarotene. So far, the experiments have only been done on mice. The research was done at Case Western Reserve University.

Alzheimer’s occurs in older people, and symptoms include a pattern of forgetfulness, disorientation,  misplacing things, short attention span, difficulty in performing routine tasks, poor judgment, language problems, problems with thinking, depression, irritability, paranoia, hostility, and lack of initiative. It is also called “Elderly Dementia.”

The disease is not fully understood, and its cause — or causes — are not yet clear. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease cannot properly clear the protein amyloid beta from their brains.  The excessive amount of the protein accumulate as plaque, which blocks synapses and kills nerve cells.

Bexarotene — also known as Targretin — wipes out amyloid beta. Continue reading “Cancer Drug May Help Alzheimer’s Disease”

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”

Solutions for Dark Circles Under the Eyes and Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes can usually be helped - no sunglasses neededDo you dread looking in the bathroom mirror when you first wake up? Scared of seeing baggy, puffy eyes or horrible dark circles under your eyes?

Well, flick on the bathroom light and gaze at your reflection! There are natural solutions to these eye problems. You don’t have to walk around looking like you stayed up all night or got into a fight.

The skin around your eyes is very thin and sensitive. This thin eye skin helps your eyes move easily. Unfortunately, this thin skin easily reveals color changes and swelling.

Instead of skulking around in dark glasses, look into natural eye care that can help with dark circles under the eyes and puffy eyes. Continue reading “Solutions for Dark Circles Under the Eyes and Puffy Eyes”

Vitamin E Contact Lenses for Glaucoma Instead of Eye Drops

vitamin E contact lensTreatment for the second leading cause of vision loss and blindness, glaucoma, may be improved with a new type of contact lenses that are loaded with Vitamin E. These new Vitamin E contact lenses may serve as delivery devices to treat glaucoma and other eye diseases such as dry eye and cataracts.

Medicated eye drops are typically prescribed as the primary treatment for glaucoma; however, the medicine is washed away in 2 to 5 minutes and most of it doesn’t reach the target tissues. Instead, most of eye drops enter the blood stream, where they may cause unwanted side effects.

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Vision Improved in Macular Degeneration Patients with Nutrition

peas contain important nutrientsA new study published in the November 2011 Journal of Optometry confirms improved vision in elderly patients with early Macular Degeneration through nutritional supplementation with Zeaxanthin (a carotenoid in the family of lutein).

The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF), conducted by eye nutrition pioneer Stuart Richer, PhD, OD at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago, shows scientific evidence that dietary Zeaxanthin improved vision in night driving and fine detail, among others.

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Protein in Eyes: What Are Eye Floaters Made Of?

eye floaters caused by protein and other debrisEye floaters are imperfections in the eye that look like dark shapes. They are made of protein and other discarded cell material. Although you may perceive them as being in front of the lens, they are in fact on the inside of the eye.

The vitreous humour is the gel-like ball inside the eye. Most children and young people do not see floaters, but over time, bits of debris are discarded by the vitreous humour or retina that causes protein (connective tissue) to be released. They float around inside the vitreous humour and cast shadows, obscuring vision in certain lighting conditions.

Half of people over the age of seventy report seeing eye floaters. The problem becomes more noticeable in older people as the vitreous becomes less solid over time. Trauma and poor nutrition are thought to be possible causes of eye floaters. It is possible some children are born with eye floaters but may not notice them until they are older. Floaters can happen after cataract surgery.

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Age-related Macular Degeneration May Be Helped with Melatonin in Research Study

age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of serious vision loss and blindness in the elderlyA study indicates that melatonin supplements may slow and even reverse the effects of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). ARMD is the leading cause of serious vision loss in elderly persons.

The symptoms of ARMD include seeing wavy lines that should be straight, blurred text, and/or dark or empty spaces in the center of the field of vision. The cells that sense light in the eye’s macula stop functioning correctly and after some time, they do not work at all. A simple visual test called the Asmler grid is an effective screening for age-related macular degeneration.

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Eye Contact Avoided by Bipolar Children

eye contactA recent study showed that bipolar children spend less time making eye contact with people – looking at their eyes – versus typical children. Instead of looking at the eyes, bipolar children and children with severe mood dysregulation in the study spent less time looking at the eyes when observing faces. Instead, they spent more time with their eyes on the mouth and nose.

U.S. National Institute of Mental Health investigators suggested the eye contact habits of bipolar children as a possible explanation why these children have trouble determining  how other people feel.

This study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, so it should be considered preliminary. If accepted by the psychiatric community, this eye contact research may help develop treatment plans that education bipolar children guess the emotional state of people by looking more often at the eyes. In turn, they may process emotional information more accurately, which could help them regulate their feelings when interacting with others.

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