Natural Eye Care Blog: News & Research on Vision

Diets High in Polyunsaturated Fats Increase Risk of Macular Degeneration

Decreasing the consumption of fat may help protect against the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to results of the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study.
For their research, the investigators followed nearly 2,000 women aged 50 to 79 as part of the larger Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, Via the use of questionnaires and retinal photography, they concluded that women who consumed the highest levels of dietary polyunsaturated fats were approximately twice as likely to have AMD when compared to those women who consumed the least. It is important to note that consuming monounsaturated fatty acids (like olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts and seeds) were associated with a lower risk of AMD. Reference: Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Nov;127(11):1483-93
For further information on preventing and treating macular degeneration naturally, visit our website.

Editor’s Note: The types of fats in one’s diet play a major role in eye and overall body health. Avoid polyunsaturated oils such as vegetables oils (do not cook with these oils). Use high quality olive oil in your diet on your salads and food such as adding it to your steamed vegetables (with a little balsamic vinegar or lemon – delicious).

Genes NOT the Cause of Many Diseases

A new study published by The Bioscience Resource Project offers further support to something that we have long shared with our patients and clients: genes are not necessarily the cause of common diseases.

Researchers from around the world came to a similar conclusion: though there are genetic factors that make people susceptible to many diseases, very few are strong enough to be of any importance. These findings could have an effect on how we look at the development of heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes, autism, ADHD, dementia, schizophrenia, and depression.

Study authors are explaining their results in a way that will be very familiar to those who know how we approach health at Natural Eye Care. Factors like diet and nutrition, lifestyle habits, and stress management all play key factors in the development of disease. Source: lef.org

Learn more about preventing diseases of the eyes and body at our website.

Meditation As Effective As Drugs For Treating Depression

A daily meditation practice can be just as effective as taking prescription drugs if you want to prevent a relapse of depression.

A study out of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada found that patients who attended mindfulness training and were taught to productively reflect on their feelings were able to avoid taking mediation. After a year and a half only 38% in the study group had suffered a relapse of depression compared to 46% who took medication. Source: Livescience.com

Antidepressant medication’s side effects can have negative effects on the eyes. Click here to learn about how medications can damage the eyes.

Daily meditation is part of the wellness practices that we recommend as part of our Vision Wellness Protocol.

Healthy Lifestyle Prevents Stroke, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma

A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of stroke by up to 80%.

Research published in the journal Stroke encourages people to exercise regularly, drink alcohol only in moderation, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, control weight, and not smoke in order to avoid stroke.

These guidelines are the same that we recommend when it comes to avoiding vision conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Moderate Alcohol Use

There’s another piece of evidence that suggests moderate drinking – one or two alcoholic beverages each day – can be beneficial for the eyes.

A study of over 3,600 Australians found that when the figures were adjusted to account for other factors (including age, smoking, and diabetes), people who had one or two drinks each day were 50% less likely to have cataract surgery. The moderate drinkers were less likely to require surgery for cataracts than counterparts who drank more as well as those who did not drink at all.

Source: https://www.osnsupersite.com

Snoring and Insomnia Can Lead to Metabolic Syndrome

Snoring and insomnia are often seen as nuisances, either to the person who just cannot fall asleep or to the partner who has to listen to all that racket. They may be real cause for concern, however.

New research finds that both snoring and insomnia can predict one’s likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome. Snoring and insomnia may even cause metabolic syndrome. As described in this story’s source, the LA Times’s “Booster Shots” column, “Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors — excess abdominal fat, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure — that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.”

University of Pittsburgh researchers publishing in the journal Sleep found that those with insomnia are 80% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. People who snore loudly were twice as likely to develop the condition.

The Vision Diet is not only beneficial to the eyes, but it will also improve your overall health; visit our site for details.

Omega-3s Found in Fish Fight Macular Degeneration

When people between 65 and 84 eat fish weekly they are less likely to develop macular degeneration.

The study published in the journal Ophthalmology credits the intake of omega-3 fatty acids with helping to ward off macular degeneration. Source: https://www.ophthalmologyjournaloftheaao.com

Dietary supplements are also a good source of omega 3s.

For more research into macular degeneration, click here.

To learn about other ways to prevent and treat macular degeneration visit our website.

Risk of Retinopathy is Significant Even In Non-Diabetics

blood pressure cuff — image via blog.usa.gov

Retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) is most commonly associated with diabetes, but a new study shows that 1 in 8 people without diabetes show signs of retinopathy.

The study, published in Ophthalmology describes how retinopathy is linked to hypertension, smoking, and carotid artery disease – all common risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease.

One study author states that “controlling blood pressure and vascular risk factors may reverse retinopathy.” Researchers hope that their findings will help health practitioners and patients become more aware of the risk of retinopathy in those who do not show signs of diabetes.

Source: Medscape

Learn more about controlling blood pressure naturally.

Omega Fatty Acids Treat Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Diabetic Retinopathy

Scientists are continually evaluating the powerful compounds found in omega-3 fatty acids to determine further ways they can be used to make us healthier.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association sought to find out whether taking omega-3 supplements could help those who suffer from atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats caused by the upper chambers of the heart beating out of sync with the upper potentially leading to a stroke). In this case, the researchers did not find that taking omega-3 supplements over six months helped decrease instances of atrial fibrillation. Source: https://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/304/21/2363?rss=1

But, there have been numerous other studies that have shown how omega fatty acids can be very beneficial, specifically to those suffering from macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy.

For more research on the eye and overall health conditions that you are most concerned about, visit our research index.

When Cataracts Surgery Doesn’t Work: Know the Risk Factors

Sometimes cataracts surgery is inevitable, but before you consider such a procedure you should be aware of certain risk factors that may decrease the effectiveness of surgery.

A study published in Ophthalmology describes how Afro-American patients are less likely to have success with cataracts removal surgery.

If you have had previous ocular surgeries you are also likely to experience complications.

Source: Medscape

Prevention is the best medicine. Learn how to prevent cataracts at our website.

Omega-3s Aid Babies Vision and Brain Development

The European Commission is standing behind the claims that omega-3s help infants’ brain and vision development. The claims relate to both intake by the mother during pregnancy and lactation as well as directly by the baby.

The statements relate to specific compounds found in the fatty acids:

ALA contributes to the brain development of children
DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and DHA intake contributes to the visual development of infants up to 12 months of age
DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants
DHA has a structural and functional role in the brain and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants

Source: Nutraingredients