Green Tea May Help Protect Vision for Those with Glaucoma and Other Eye Conditions

The findings, published in the current issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggest that the substances, known as catechins, are absorbed by the lens, retina and other parts of the eye. Catechins are antioxidants thought to protect the body against damage from oxygen.

Substances found in green tea work their way into the tissues of the eye and could protect against common eye diseases like glaucoma, researchers say.

The findings, published in the current issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggest that the substances, known as catechins, are absorbed by the lens, retina and other parts of the eye. Catechins are antioxidants thought to protect the body against damage from oxygen.
The study authors gave green tea to rats and then tested their eyes to see if catechins affected them. They did, reducing oxidative stress in the eye for up to 20 hours.

Editor’s Note: See more related information on nutrition and glaucoma.

Procyanidins Benefit Microcirculation in Early Diabetic Retinopathy

A new study now reports that pine bark extract (which contains procyanidins) may extend vision-saving benefits to diabetics with early stage retinopathy by improving retinal blood flow and inducing regression of edema.

A 2010 study suggests that pine bark extract (containing procyanidins) may be helpful to diabetics who have early diabetic retinopathy through improved retinal blood flow and lowering swelling edema.

About 40-50% of Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy, according to NIH.

Learn more about management of diabetic retinopathy.

Reference: Steigerwalt R, et al. Pycnogenol® improves microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in early diabetic retinopathy. J Ocular Pharmacol Therap 25:537-40, 2009.

Zeaxanthin Can Reduce Chances of Macular Degeneration by 79%

High levels of plasma zeaxanthin had a 93% reduced risk of AMD. Globally, subjects with high total plasma lutein and zeaxanthin had a 79% reduced risks of AMD compared with subjects with low total plasma lutein and zeaxanthin.

In 2006 research patients with high levels of zeaxanthin in their blood plasma had a 93% lower risk of macular degeneration.  Similarly, patients with high total  zeaxanthin in lutein in their blood plasma had 79% reduced risk of macular degeneration compared with patients with low total lutein and zeaxanthin in blood plasma.

Published: IOVS, June 2006, Vol. 47, No. 6

Zeaxanthin is a yellow phytonutrient pigment located in many fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, goji berry, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, kiwifruit, and brussel sprouts.

Lowering cataract rate with vitamins C & E

Nurses’ Health Study and the Beaver Dam Eye Study, have found a lower risk of cataracts or cataract progression in those who took high levels of vitamin C. Women who consumed the most vitamin E from food and supplements, about 262 mg a day ( approximately the equivalent of 3 cups of almonds were 14% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed only 4 mg a day.

Scientists have found that there is a lower cataract risk as well as lower chance of cataracts becoming more serious in patients who take high levels of vitamin C looking at data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Beaver Dam Study.   Other researchers found that  the Beaver Dam Eye Study and Nurses’ Health Study found that women who have the highest intake of vitamin E from food and supplements, about 262 mg a day (the equivalent of 3 cups of almonds!) were 14% less likely to develop cataracts than those who consumed only 4 mg a day.

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals and providing many other valuable functions.  Other food sources include wheat germ, other nuts and seeds and leafy dark green vegetables.

See more related studies on nutrition and cataracts.

Another observational 10-year study of more than 35,000 middle-aged U.S. women observed the women’s use of dietary supplements and occurrence of cataracts.*

The study found significant evidence that women who got more lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were less likely to develop cataracts than women who are lacking intake of these nutrients. In fact, the women who got the most lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were 18% less likely to get cataracts.

*Christen, W. Archives of Ophthalmology, January 2008; vol 126: pp 102-109

Killer Carbohydrates & Diabetes

According to 2007 data from the National Institutes of Health, 25% of Americans 20 years and older had abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood—a pre-diabetic state. That number leapt to 35% in individuals 60 and older.

One quarter of Americans over 20 years old have abnormally high glucose levels – which is considered to be pre-diabetic. By the time Americans are 60 or older the percentage rises to 35%.  Considering the US population data, as of 2009, about 60,000,000 citizens are pre-diabetic and at very high risk of developing diabetes.

  • Due to excess carbohydrates in the diet, about 20% of Americans are pre-diabetic.
  • Carbohydrates are absorbed into the blood primarily due to the digestive enzymes amylase, sucrase, and glucosidase.
  • However, L-arabinose – a natural, mostly indigestible sugar – blocks sucrase activity, preventing sugar sucrose from moving into the bloodstream.
  • Similarly, extracts of seaweed, white beans, and Irvingia block starch breakdown  in the intestine, preventing these calories from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
  • Green tea extract helps your body metabolize additional calories while you are not active.
  • All together these are  natural compounds that have the potential to dramatically slow total carbohydrate intake, limit blood sugar and insulin spikes after meals, and help support weight loss.

Editor’s Note: See more information on nutrition, diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, 2007, 2009

 

Sugary sodas linked to pancreatic cancer: study

Analyses of data collected on 60,524 Singapore Chinese adults showed that people who drank two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks a week were at greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with individuals who did not, the study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention says.

A study published in 2010 which analyzed data collected for 60,524  Chinese adults in Singapore demonstrated that those people who consume two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks weekly were at higher risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer compared with those who do not drink sugary drinks.

However, the researchers did not find a link was found between  juice consumption and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal cancer in adults.  Fewer than 5% of patients survive five or more years after being diagnosed with this form of cancer.

Published: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 2010.

Australian scientists discover Omega-3 diet can help prevent Alzheimers

Australian scientists at Melbourne’s Deakin University confirm a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain from developing Alzheimers disease.

Reseachers have substantiated earlier research that there appeared to be a lower risk of neurodegenerative conditions in those people who consume plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids.  Their research also determined that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help individuals from developing the devastating brain condition, Alzheimers disease.

Essential fatty acids help regulate the natural levels of zinc in the brain.  In some people zinc levels become elevated which can prove toxic  according to Deakin University project leader and cellular biologist Professor Leigh Ackland.

Omega-3 fatty acids contain DHA, EPA & alpha linoleic acid.  The researchers found that when the DHA level in brain nerve cells drops, zinc levels rise.

Editor’s Note: DHA is found most commonly in cold water fatty fish while a vegetarian source can be derived from seaweed.

Researchers: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

Epigenetics redefines the role of DNA in our health

It was once thought that our health and well-being was predetermined by the DNA we inherited from our parents and ancestors. The new field of Epigenetics now defines our health in both nature and nurture.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

It was once thought that our health and well-being was predetermined by the DNA we inherited from our parents and ancestors.  The new field of Epigenetics now defines our health in both nature and nurture.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

These patterns of gene expression are governed by the cellular material — the epigenome — that sits on top of the genome, just outside it.  It is these epigenetic “marks” that activate your genes. In this way environmental factors like diet, stress and prenatal nutrition can make an imprint on genes that is passed from one generation to the next, affecting both the current and future generations — meaning how well we are nourished both emotionally and diet-wise when we are young genetically affects both our future state of health as well as that of our future generations.

This field of science may well be able to explain ultimately why only one of two people with the same genetic disposition for getting a particular disease actually end up having that disease expressed.

Alzheimers Disease Detection

Animal study shows that through a harmless fluorescent dye placed on the retina of the eye, a follow-up eye exam could help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders before the appearance of actual symptoms begin.

An animal study shows that by means of a harmless fluorescent dye placed on the retina of the eye, a follow-up eye exam could help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders before the appearance of actual symptoms begin.

This study was recently published in the open-access peer-reviewed journal Cell Death and Disease. Plans are being made for human trials soon.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s and conditions that mimic Alzheimer’s.

Learn more about early detection of Alzheimer’s.

Psoriasis linked to chronic inflammatory conditions

Psoriasis, a disease that causes red, raised patches of skin, is seen as a systemic
disease linked to arthritis and heart disease, according to Experts at Mayo Clinic
Women’s HealthSource.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have determined that psoriasis, a condition which results in  red, rough skin patches, is  a systemic
disease which is tied to cardiovascular disease and  arthritis.  All three diseases may have underlying an link which may be chronic inflammation.

Psoriasis patches come and go and sometimes flareup in response to triggers — such as allergies, infections,  medications, smoking, excessive alcohol use, stress, sunburn, harmful drugs, skin irritation or skin injury.

Methods that can help reduce the psoriasis include:

– Ultraviolet light slows the rapid growth of skin cells
– A daily bath with added bath oil, or epsom salts, dead Sea salts, or
colloidal oatmeal.
– thick moisturizing cream or ointment, applied several times daily
during cold, dry weather

Editor’s Note: Psoriasis is also a detoxification problem resulting from digestive issues. This results in the body eliminating toxins through the skin  (the skin and lungs are our secondary detoxification systems). Avoiding foods that can aggravate psoriasis and strengthening the digestive system such as
taking probiotics and enzymes with meals can help improve the psoriasis.