Vinpocetine shows promise for chronic inflammation

Findings reported in article published online on May 6, 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (see link below) suggest that vinpocetine, a derivative of vincamine (from the periwinkle plant), could be useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, infectious diseases and cancer.

Researchers believe that  vinpocetine, which, according to wikipedia is a “semi-synthetic”  derivative of an extract of periwinkle, vincamine, could be very helpful for treating diseases connected to chronic inflammation. These include coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and a number of infectious diseases.

Because conditions such as macular edema and diabetic retinopathy are tied to inflammation, this derivative may be helpful for these conditions.

Published: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, May 6, 2010.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin for Eye Health

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants used both in the retina and lens of the eyes, and help reduce the chances of onset of eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are both potent  antioxidants that are used in the cells of the lens and retina of the eye.  They are wonderful free radical fighters with the capacity to lower oxidation in the eye – which causes stress in the cells of the eye.  They also are used both in the retina and lens of the eyes. They help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. In addition they are powerful filters that block damaging blue light from sunshine.

Zeaxanthin is found mostly in the macula of the eye, at the center of the retina, where it supports central vision, and lutein is mostly found at other locations in the retina where it supports peripheral vision.

Supplementation with only  6 mg  lutein each day lowers the risk of developing AMD by 57 percent.

The Woman’s Health Study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology in 2007 demonstrated that female subjects who received the highest levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E  in their diets were 18 percent less likely to get cataracts.

Learn more about lutein and zeaxanthin.

Dietary Protein Reducing Hip Fractures

The Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less, according to a new study by the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

Elderly women and men who have greater amounts of protein in their diet are less likely to experience hip fractures than do elders who consume less. The recommendation by Dr. Hannan is that elderly women include a minimum of 46 grams of protein daily, and that elderly men consume a minimum of 56 grams of protein daily.  The food sources can be from either animal or vegetable sources.  Animal sources of protein include meat and fish, eggs and milk products such as milk, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt.  Vegetable sources of protein include beans, grains, nuts and seeds and vegetables.

Learn more about diet, protein and osteoporosis.

Researchers:
Framingham Osteoporosis Study
Dr. Hannan and associates, Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew Senior Life, Harvard Medical School

New Study Suggests Role of High Cholesterol in Macular Degeneration Risk

New study shows that cholesterol biosynthesis could be involved in age-related macular degeneration, and supports data from other studies that have indicated a role for cholesterol in the pathology that leads to a major cause of visual impairment.

A 2010 study shows that cholesterol biosynthesis could be involved in age-related macular degeneration, and supports data from other studies that have indicated a role for cholesterol in the pathology that leads to a major cause of visual impairment.

Until more is known, people should strive to live a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Seddon (lead researcher) said. “People should lower their total cholesterol because we know that higher cholesterol is related to increased AMD risk, refrain from smoking, and eat healthy foods, such as dark leafy vegetables, spinach, collard greens, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Ref: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2010 Annual Meeting: Abstract 2475. Presented May 4, 2010.

Update

Another study published online and in the August, 2010 print issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, found that smoking and cholesterol levels affect the risk for early-stage age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Learn more about macular degeneration.

Added sugar can increase heart attack risk

New study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found those who ate more added sugar were more likely to have higher cardiovascular disease risk factors, including higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein, the “good” cholesterol.

Sugar which is being added in greater amounts and with greater frequency than ever before by food manufacturers in almost all  processed foods and beverages appears to raise the risk of heart disease.

Researchers took a close look at data on  nutritional intake and levels of fat in the blood  in more than 6,000 adults between 1999 and 2006.

They found that those who consumed greater amounts of additional sugar had risks of experiencing heart disease.  This included not only higher triglyceride levels but higher ratios of triglycerides to HD.

Researchers: Miriam Vos, MD, Emory School of Medicine & associates.

Published: Journal of American Medical Association, 2010.

Learn more about natural ways to help prevent heart disease.

Poor Dental Hygiene Tied to Heart Disease Risk

It occurs to us that those who consume more sugar may also be more likely to have poor dental hygiene habits.  Researchers in the following study were looking at brushing and flossing rates – but sugar consumption is certainly tied to dental caries.

Researchers looking at the health histories of more than 11,000 patients in Scotland, have found that those patients who do not brush their teeth twice a day are more likely to have heart disease compared to those who do so.

70% of the subjects brushed their teeth twice a day, and 60% visit the dentist twice a year.  Those subjects with poorer brushing habits had a 70% higher risk of heart disease.

Researchers: University College of London

Published: British Medical Journal (BMJ), May, 2010

Contact Lens May Offer Improved Glaucoma Treatment

A vitamin E packed contact lens has the potential of preserving the vision of people being treated for glaucoma. While the contact lens can’t repair damage that has been done, it can prevent any further decline in vision.

A vitamin E packed contact lens has the potential of preserving the vision of people being treated for glaucoma. While the contact lens can’t repair damage that has been done, it can prevent any further decline in vision.

Typically open angle glaucoma is treated with eyedrops.  The new contact lenses would allow for a slow release of the medication and hold the medicines in place which would allow for the medicine to reach the targeted areas within the eye.

Vitamin E is the mighty component that allows for this slow release of the medication. Not only does the Vitamin E aid in delivering the medication to the eye, it also has the added benefit of protecting the eye from sun damage, since ultra-violet radiation is blocked by Vitamin E.

These trials so far have been done on animals, but shows promise for human use.

Low Vision Rehabilitation

A 2010 clinical trial seeks to find alternative ways to treat glaucoma, specifically investigating how to help those who’ve been told that no more can be done.  This trial is operating under the hypothesis that “state-of-the-art low vision aids in patients with advanced glaucomatous visual loss will provide an improvement in visual tasks and thereby an improvement in quality of life.”  Researchers want to study how low vision rehabilitation can help those suffering from glaucoma.

Source: https://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT01262209

We believe that is possible to both prevent and treat glaucoma naturally.

Lutein & Vitamin A Helps Retinitis Pigmentosa

A daily supplement of lutein in combination with vitamin A may slow vision loss
associated with retinitis pigmentosa, according to the results of a randomized,
controlled, double-blind trial.

A new randomized, double-blind, control trial suggests that taking12 mg supplemental lutein daily along with  15,000 IU vitamin A may slow damage to mid-peripheral vision that arises from retinitis pigmentosa.

The research suggests that 20 additional years of better mid-peripheral vision can be expected for patients who are 40 who take the recommended supplementation, compared to significant vision loss by the early 50’s.  This further earlier research which indicated that taking vitamin A was helpful for retinal health.

This study included only people who do not smoke – for smokers there are problems in taking lutein.

Published: Clinical Trial of Lutein in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Vitamin A, Archives of Ophthalmology
2010, Vol. 128, Issue 4, Pages 403-411

Researchers: E.L. Berson, and associates

This substantiates earlier research:

In a 48-week intervention trial, researchers tested Lutein supplementation
for vision protective-function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The conclusion of the study was as follows: “Comparing the development of vision measures against the natural loss expected to occur over the course of the 48 weeks, most measures showed reduced decline, and these reductions were significant for normal illumination”.

Ophthalmology (BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:23)

Sjogren’s Syndrome Often Mis-Diagnosed

Results from a recent survey of 400 Sjogren’s syndrome patients showed that half of those surveyed experienced common symptoms such as dry mouth or dry eyes for three or more years before receiving an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

Half of patients with Sjogren’s had experienced very common symptoms for 3 or more years before they finally received an accurate diagnosis.  These common symptoms include dry mouth or dry eye syndrome.  

The reason may be that these symptoms are quite similar to other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupis, and simply getting older.

Reported: Michael Brennan, DDS, MHS, Director, Sjogren’s Syndrome and Salivary Disorders Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, N.C.

Editor’s Notes: Supplementing with certain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help reduce the symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome. 


Walnuts slow prostate cancer growth

A new study suggests that mice with prostate tumors should say “nuts to cancer.” Paul Davis of the University of California, Davis, hopes follow-up data by his team and others will one day justify men saying the same.

A 2010 study indicates that mice who have cancer of the prostate benefit from increased nuts in their diet.  Researchers are doing follow-up studies to see whether the benefit may extend to men.

Most nuts in reasonable amounts can benefit the heart. But among walnuts’ special attributes were their ability to fight inflammation, an underlying cause of much heart disease, and to allow vessels to dilate as needed.

A major factor for many cancers is the presence of Inflammation in the body.  The researchers have determined that walnuts can effect endothelin production.  Endothelin is a protein that is related to blood pressure control and also to helping  regulate prostate growth.

In walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and other trace elements, possibly even the protein content, appear to be slowing prostate tumor growth.

Researchers: Paul Davis and colleagues, U. California at Davis, CA.

Tricor doesn’t reduce diabetics’ heart risk

A drug taken for decades by millions of people with type 2 diabetes to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths offered no benefit in a broad group of patients, a study released Sunday shows.

A 2010 study reports that Tricor (Fenofibrate) which has been taken by adult-onset diabetics in order to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths offers no benefit.  The product lowers triglycerides and raises good cholesterol, apparently lowering heart risk. But it failed to reduce  a combination of strokes, heart attacks  and deaths in patients with adult-onset diabetes.

Researchers: Henry Ginsberg, and associates, Columbia University.

Editor’s Note: Diabetic sufferers are at high risk of onset of diabetic retinopathy which can lead to permanent vision loss. Learn about information on nutrients (such as alpha lipoic acid, taurine, bilberry, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids) related to helping preserve vision for those with diabetes.