Zinc, inflammation & oxidative stress

An article published in the June, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes a clinical trial involving older men and women which found reductions in markers of oxidative stress and inflammation among those who supplemented with zinc.

A 2010  clinical trial looked at indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation in elders which found reductions among the subjects who supplemented with zinc.  These two factors – oxidative stress caused by free radicals and inflammation – are considered risk factors for coronary artery disease.  Zinc deficiencies have been noted for this condition as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and various cancers.

Editor’s note: There are a range of essential nutrients that reduce oxidative stress in the body and can help reduce inflammation including glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alpha lipoic acid for example. Green leafy vegetables contain a great range of antioxidants that have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. as well.

When supplementing with zinc, copper should also be taken. The proper ratio of zinc:copper is 15:1.

Published: June, 2010,  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

 

Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Macular Degeneration and Preventing Retinal Detachments

Controlled trials have shown that extracts of Ginkgo Biloba can significantly improve visual acuity in Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) patients within six months of use.

Controlled trials have shown that extracts of Ginkgo Biloba can significantly improve visual acuity in Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) patients within six months of use. Both animal and human studies have revealed that Ginkgo extract can help to prevent retinal detachment, while increasing antioxidant activity in patients’ blood, tears and plasma*.

Editor’s Note: Gingko biloba has many potential benefits as a powerful antioxidant, and its effects on improving circulation and even brain function.

*For the gingko biloba study references and for more related studies on nutrition and macular degeneration, Click Here

Ways to help prevent osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (loss of calcium in bones) affects 44 million men and women in the United States today, resulting in 1.5 million fractures each year. Approximately one-quarter of those people who have hip fractures due to the disorder die within a year after the break due to complications, including not being able to move around very well.

Osteoporosis (loss of calcium in bones) affects 44 million men and women in the United States today, resulting in 1.5 million fractures each year. Approximately one-quarter of those people who have hip fractures due to the disorder die within a year after the break due to complications, including not being able to move around very well.

The causes of osteoporosis for women is often due to estrogen deficiency during and after menopause. Caucasians and Asians also are at higher risk for the disorders than African-Americans. Other risk factors include low body weight, previous fractures and taking high-risk medications such as chemotherapy or steroid treatments which can deteriorate bone.

Things that can be done to help prevent bone loss include:

1) Daily weight bearing exercise

2) Eat a healthy diet (avoid carbonated drinks which can reduce calcium in the body).

3) Avoid bad habits such as smoking or excessive drinking

4) Supplement with a good calcium supplement which includes cofactors such as vitamin D3, Boron, Vitamin K1, Magnesium, and Phosphorus.

4) Supplement with at least 1,000 mg per day of Vitamin D3.

See more information on diet, nutrition and lifestyle related to Osteoporosis.

ARMD & Mitochondrial Damage in Retinal Cells

New study shows that the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration my be connected to ongoing damage to mitochondria in the retinal cells.

A 2010 study indicates that ARMD (age-related macular degeneration) could be tied to retinal mitochondria damage.

Source: www.iovs.org/cgi/content/abstract/iovs.10-5429v1

Editor’s Note: Mitochondria produce energy from nutrients in the blood stream and have the function of supplying power to the cell functioning.

This study further underscores the importance of having a healthy diet, exercising and taking targeted supplements that nourish the retinal cells. Nutrients such as CoQ10 may help as well as it helps increase mitochondrial activity (energy production) in the cells. Supporting nutrients for CoQ10 include n-acetyl-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid.

For more information in nutrition and macular degeneration, Click Here

Indoor Tanning beds = Eye & Skin Cancer

After studying more than 2,200 tanners and their pale peers, scientists report that regular indoor tanning raised a person’s risk of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, between 74 percent and 340 percent.

Eye Cancer

Researchers report that using popular tanning beds to get a tan in the winter or without being out in the sun raised the risk of melanoma by 4 times – the range was from 74% to 240% higher risk.  This determination was found after studying the health condition of  more than 2,200 people who regularly use tanning beds.  Unsurprisingly, those people who used the tanning beds the most and for the longest time had the highest risk.  Similarly, those people who used tanning beds employing UVA rather than UVB radiation had the highest risk.

Source:  cebp.aacrjournals.org

Skin Cancer

There has been earlier research indicating that tanning beds, especially those using UVA rather than UVB light are tied to skin cancer.  New research indicates that this UV exposure also is tied to eye cancer, known as ocular melanoma, as well as retinal and corneal burns.

See information on a study about how eating leafy greens can help protect eyes from UV radiation.

Reduced Nutrients in Food, Microwaving Food

Numerous research studies show that cooking food in a microwave significantly reduces antioxidants, vitamin and minerals, and also effects protein availability. Studies also show possible cancer risks, particularly related to the release of toxins from plastics used in common foods heated up including chips, pizza and popcorn.

Numerous research studies show that cooking food in a microwave significantly reduces antioxidants, vitamin and minerals, and also effects protein availability. Studies also show possible cancer risks, particularly related to the release of toxins from plastics used in common foods heated up including chips, pizza and popcorn.

When considering the nutritional quality of foods alone, a 2009 of the composition of food historically have found a 5 to 40% reduction in some minerals in fresh produce, and another study found a similar decline in our protein sources.

A 1999 Scandinavian study of the cooking of asparagus spears found that microwaving caused a reduction in vitamins. Another study found that as little as 60 seconds of microwave heating inactivated alliinase, garlic’s primary  ingredient that fights cancer.

A 2003 study  found that microwaved broccoli lost up to 97% of its helpful antioxidants while steamed broccoli only lost 11% of its antioxidants.

A 1992 study found that breast milk that has been microwaved loses lysozyme activity and antibodies that your child needs.

Research:

Davis D R.,  Declining fruit and vegetable nutrient composition: What is the evidence? American Society of Horticultural Science, February 1, 2009

Kidmose U, and associates, Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica B 1999:49(2):110-117

Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture, Nov. 2003

Quan, 1992

Obesity, Exercise & Fibromyalgia

Women who are obese (BMI of 30 or larger) have a 60 to 70 percent higher risk of developing fibromyalgia, compared to women who are not obese.

A 2010 study observes  that women who are have a body-mass-index (BMI) of 30 or greater, which is considered obese have a 60-70%  greater risk of experiencing fibromyalgia than those women who are not obese, and especially among those women who also get plenty of physical exercise.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is marked by a dull aching pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue, and is characterized by persistent fatigue.   Memory problems, disturbed, and irritable bowel syndrome are included amongst other common symptoms.

Researchers: Paul J. Mork, et al, Norweigian University of Science & Technology

Published: Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Arthritis Care and Research 2010; 62:5,  611 – 617.

Vision Problems & 3-D Movies

The trend toward 3-D film and television is unmasking vision problems in many people including issues with binocular vision, a problem that affects and estimated three to nine million Americans.

The trend toward 3-D film and television is unmasking vision problems in many people including issues with binocular vision, a problem that affects and estimated three to nine million Americans.  Symptoms vary but can include headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness.  The American Optometric Association recommends visiting an optometrist if you suffer from any of these symptoms or if your eyes have trouble adjusting to “normal” afterward.  The AOA also stresses the importance of talking to an eye doctor about optometric vision therapy, a sequence of therapeutic exercises intended to help patients “achieve single, clear, comfortable, two-eyed vision that improves eye coordination, focusing and eye movement”

Source: https://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/aoa/43612/

Learn more about binocular vision.

Candidiasis can cause eye floaters

Floaters are often the result of vitreous tears or detachments often experienced by seniors, but for some these clumps of protein can be the result of candidiasis, an overgrowth of the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans.

“Floaters” are those small dark shapes that appear before your eyes and float through your field of vision.  Floaters are often the result of vitreous tears or detachments often experienced by seniors, but for some these clumps of protein can be the result of candidiasis, an overgrowth of the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans. Antibiotics, birth control pills, and an improper diet can all lead to candidiasis. The best way to start to counteract yeast overgrowth and the eye floaters and other health issues that this condition can cause is by eliminating sugar and yeast containing foods from the diet and introducing probiotics.

For more on floaters, including other causes and alternative treatments please visit NaturalEyeCare.com’s reference page.
More information on candida can be found at The Yeast Connection.

Heart, Not Inner Ear Source of Dizziness

Heart disease, not inner ear problems, appears to be the most common cause of dizziness in elderly patients seen in primary care offices, Dutch researchers say.

In a cross-sectional analysis, cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of dizziness, occurring in 57% of patients. Vestibular disease appeared to be the cause in only 14% of patients, the researchers found.

It is reasonable to think that some inner ear problem is causing episodes of dizziness in elderly patients.  However, in 2010 Dutch researchers determined that heart disease is a more likely common cause.

The researchers did  a cross-sectional analysis, a type of analysis method that looks at an entire population set at one point in time.  They found that heart disease was the cause of dizziness episodes in 57 percent of patients, while inner ear problems were the source of dizziness in only 14 percent of the patients.

Published:  Causes of persistent dizziness in elderly patients in primary care,  Annals of Family Medicine, 2010; 8: 196-205.

Researchers: Maarsingh OR, et al