Natural Eye Care Blog: News & Research on Vision

Low Cholesterol Linked to Lower Risk of Some Types of Prostate Cancer

A new study published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, shows that men whose cholesterol was in a healthy range (below 200) had less than half the risk of developing high-grade prostate tumors compared to men with high cholesterol.

Researchers studied 5,586 men aged 55 and older who participated in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial between 1993 and 1996. Although cholesterol levels made no difference in the odds of getting prostate cancer for most of the participants, it made a significant difference for the 60 men who developed high-grade tumors which grow and spread fast. For these men, the chance of developing an aggressive tumor was 59% lower among men with cholesterol under 200.

Although more research is planned on the topic, this study reinforces the idea that limiting fats in the bloodstream can reduce the risk of cancer.

SOURCE: Men with Low Serum Cholesterol Have a Lower Risk of High-Grade Prostate Cancer in the Placebo Arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, Platz, et al, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(11):2807–13.

Alzheimer’s Risk: Diet, Muscle Power, Maternal Family

People who ranked in the top 10 percent for muscle strength were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the weakest 10 percent. Stronger people also showed a slower decline in their mental abilities over time.

Older people with stronger muscles are at reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to their weaker peers, a new study shows.

Alzheimer’s & Muscle Power

Dr. Patricia A. Boyle of Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago and her colleagues found that the greater a person’s muscle strength, the lower their likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over a four-year period. The same was true for the loss of mental function that often precedes full-blown Alzheimer’s. People who ranked in the top 10 percent for muscle strength were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than the weakest 10 percent. Stronger people also showed a slower decline in their mental abilities over time. SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, November 2009.

Maternal Family Genetic Inheritance

It is well known that Alzheimer’s disease runs in families, but researchers have found that it may be inherited through the maternal genes. According to a study published in Biological Psychiatry the measure of a protein called amyloid is a marker for Alzheimer’s. Adult children of mother’s with the disease have a greater amount of this protein in their brains. It is hoped that the identification of genetic risk factors will help them to develop future therapies for the disease. Source: https://scienceblog.com/40208/where-did-you-get-those-eyes-and-that-brain/

Alzheimer’s & Diet

An article published online on June 2, 2010 in FASEB Journal reports the discovery of Temple University researchers of the benefit of a low methionine diet in slowing or reversing early to moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease in an animal model.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that occurs in relatively high amounts in red meat, fish, eggs and other foods. A byproduct of methionine metabolism is homocysteine, another amino acid that has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as cardiovascular disease when elevated.

Ref: www.fasebj.org

Alzheimer’s & Mediterranean Diet

A large study of older adults found a reduced dementia risk associated with the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet provides higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than the Western diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a protective effect on the brain and brain functioning.

The study was published in the April 30, 2013 issue of the journal Neurology. It looked at 17,478 Caucasian and African American participants who were in a study about strokes called “Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS).” These participants had not had a stroke or cognitive impairment when they started in the study.

When analyzing the questionnaires about diet, the researchers checked to see how closely each participant’s resembled the a Mediterranean diet. This diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus legumes, olive oil, nuts, and fish.

The results showed that subjects whose diets were closest to the Mediterranean diet had an 11% lowered risk of cognitive impairment. This risk was lowered even more in people who were not diabetic: 19% lower incidence of cognitive impairment versus nondiabetics who did not adhere to the Mediterranean diet.

“Since there are no definitive treatments for most dementing illnesses, modifiable activities, such as diet, that may delay the onset of symptoms of dementia are very important,” stated lead author Georgios Tsivgoulis, MD, of the University of Athens in Greece. “Diet is an important modifiable activity that could help in preserving cognitive functioning in late life. However, it is only one of several important lifestyle activities that might play a role in late-life mental functioning. Exercise, avoiding obesity, not smoking cigarettes and taking medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension are also important.”

At Natural Eye Care, we emphasize nutrition as an important way to prevent health issues. Learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia.

Study: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of incident cognitive impairment by Georgios Tsivgoulis, MD et. al. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182904f69 Neurology April 30, 2013 vol. 80 no. 18 1684-1692 https://www.neurology.org/content/80/18/1684.abstract

Microchip Implants May Help Restore Lost Vision

Scientists at MIT and other research organizations are testing chip technologies that could help bring eyesight to individuals with conditions like age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

Microchips place onto or inside the eyeball are assisted by a pair of electronic glasses the patient wears. Results vary, but many subjects report significant improvement in orientation and mobility. MIT hopes to have a device within two years so that they can get FDA approval from for use on chronic patients.

See information on macular degeneration, nutrition and health.

Avocados for Eye Health

Avocados contains a wide range of phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases, and are excellent for the eye health. Nutrients include trans neoxanthin, neochrome, lutein-5, 6-epoxide and chrysanthemaxanthin. The scientists also confirmed the presence of lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene (all nutrients that support retinal health).

Avocados contain a wide range of phytonutrients, which are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases, and are excellent for the eye health. Nutrients include trans neoxanthin, neochrome, lutein-5, 6-epoxide and chrysanthemaxanthin. The scientists also confirmed the presence of lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene (all nutrients that support retinal health).

Since most of the nutrients are located near the skin of the fruit, you get most nutrients out of an avocado by peeling the fruit before slicing it.
See more information on foods for the eyes.

Preterm Births Can be Drastically Reduced by Optimizing Vitamin D Levels

New research study shows Mothers who took 4,000 IU’s (ten times the RDA of 400 IU) of vitamin D during pregnancy had their risk of premature birth reduced by half.

As preterm births are on the rise worldwide, there is powerful new evidence supporting the claim that sufficient vitamin D levels can reduce your risk of having a premature delivery. It can also help protect your newborn baby from other health problems.

In what is considered the first scientific trial that meets the most stringent criteria for “evidence-based inquiry,” US researchers Drs. Hollis and Wagner divulged their findings at a recent international vitamin D research conference in Brugge, Belgium.

Their findings included:

Mothers who took 4,000 IU’s (ten times the RDA of 400 IU) of vitamin D during pregnancy had their risk of premature birth reduced by half
Premature babies born to women taking high doses of vitamin D were reduced by half at both 32 and 37 weeks, and
There were also fewer babies who were born “small for dates”
Women taking high doses of vitamin D had a 25 per cent reduction in infections, particularly respiratory infections such as colds and flu as well as fewer infections of the vagina and the gums
The “core morbidities of pregnancy” were reduced by 30 per cent in the women who took the high-dose vitamin D (including diabetes, high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia – a potentially deadly increase in blood pressure and
fluid)
Babies getting the highest amounts of vitamin D after birth had fewer colds and less eczema

Reported by www.naturaleyecare.com

Omega-3 and vitamin D linked to 40% reduced risk of macular degeneration

Study shows that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 rich fish could slash the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 40 per cent.

This study adds further support for increasing the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids with the finding that arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6 fatty acid) is associated with an increased risk of AMD.

Ref: “Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994”

Authors: N. Parekh, R.J. Chappell, A.E. Millen, D.M. Albert, J.A. Mares

Archives of Ophthalmology

May 125, 2007 Volume 125, Pages 671-679

See more related information on macular degeneration.

Stroke Survivors Can Improve Balance with Tai Chi

TaiChi Helps Stroke Patients A new study finds that stroke survivors can improve their balance by practicing the Chinese martial art of tai chi, lessening the risk of a serious fall. Tai chi consists of constant coordinated movement of the head, torso and limbs requiring concentration and balance control.

The study looked at 136 participants in Hong Kong who had suffered a stroke more than six months earlier. Participants were randomly assigned to a tai chi group or to a control group that practiced breathing, stretching and other exercises that involved sitting, walking, memorizing and reasoning.

Participants in the tai chi group were trained in small groups by physical therapists in a weekly class, then practiced at home three days a week for one hour. All participants were then tested for their ability to maintain balance while shifting weight, leaning in different directions, and standing on moving surfaces to simulate a crowded bus. In these tests the tai chi group out-performed the control exercise group, showing significant improvement in just six weeks.

Christina Hui-Chan, professor and head of physical therapy at University of Illinois at Chicago, promotes tai chi as a way to improve balance and minimize falls among healthy elderly subjects. She reports that the benefits of tai chi also include improved strength and cardio fitness. In addition, group classes provide a healthy social gathering for isolated seniors at a fraction the cost of physiotherapy or personal training.

SOURCE: Stroke Survivors Improve Balance With Tai Chi,
ScienceDaily, Mar. 24, 2009, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323110458.htm

Protective effect found for ginkgo against radiation damage

A report published in the October 11, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Low Radiation added evidence to a protective effect for Ginkgo biloba against radiation damage.

ginko leaves A report published in the October 11, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Low Radiation added evidence to a protective effect for Ginkgo biloba against radiation damage. Ginkgo biloba is a tree species whose leaves have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. Ginkgo leaf extract contains antioxidant compounds called ginkgolides and bilobalides which help scavenge free radicals that attack nearly all components of the cell, including DNA.

The researchers found a significant dose-dependent reduction in apoptotic cells among those treated with ginkgo. While radiation-induced apoptosis (cell death) occurred in nearly one third of irradiated cells not treated with ginkgo, the number declined to 5 percent or less in cells treated with the herb.

Ref: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ind/ijlr

Editor’s Note: Gingko biloba has also been found to help preserve vision for those with eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. For more related information, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

Leber’s Disease – Gene therapy transforms eyesight

Pennsylvania researchers using gene therapy have made significant improvements in vision in 12 patients with a rare inherited visual defect, a finding that suggests it may be possible to produce similar improvements in a much larger number of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

Pennsylvania researchers using gene therapy have made significant improvements in vision in 12 patients with Leber’s disease, a rare inherited visual defect, a finding that suggests it may be possible to produce similar improvements in a much larger number of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

The team last year reported success with three adult patients, an achievement that was hailed as a major accomplishment for gene therapy. They have now treated an additional nine patients, including five children, and find that the best results are achieved in the youngest patients, whose defective retinal cells have not had time to die off.

The youngest patient, 9-year-old Corey Haas, was considered legally blind before the treatment began. He was confined largely to his house and driveway when playing, had immense difficulties in navigating an obstacle course and required special enlarging equipment for books and help in the classroom.

Today, after a single injection of a gene-therapy product in one eye, he rides his bike around the neighborhood, needs no assistance in the classroom, navigates the obstacle course quickly and has even played his first game of softball.

The 12 patients had Leber’s congenital amaurosis, which affects about 3,000 people in the United States and perhaps 130,000 worldwide. Victims are born with severely impaired vision that deteriorates until they are totally blind, usually in childhood or adolescence. There is no treatment.

Leber’s is a good candidate for gene therapy because most of the visual apparatus is intact, particularly at birth and in childhood. Mistakes in 13 different genes are known to cause it, but all 12 of the patients suffered a defect in a gene called RPE65. This gene produces a vitamin A derivative that is crucial for detecting light

The study, led by Dr. Katherine A. High, Dr. Albert M. Maguire and Dr. Jean Bennett of those two institutions, enrolled five people in the United States, five from Italy and two from Belgium. Five were children, and the oldest was 44.

Editor’s Note: In addition to the exciting research described above, there are specific nutrients that may help strengthen vision for those with Leber’s Disease

Macular Degeneration Patients: Blood Thinners Increase Risk of Retinal Hemorrhage

Patients with macular degeneration, for heart and other conditions are receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications such warfarin, and clopidogrel run a higher risk of retinal hemorrhage or over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin than people who do not.

Researchers reviewed the records of nearly 200 eyes of patients whose average age was 83. Nearly 1/2 of them were taking antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants every day.

63% of these patients taking the drugs every day developed retinal hemorrhage compared to the 29% who didn’t take the medications. Retinal bleeding was also found to be highest among patients who were using more than one drug for this purpose.

Because the medical professionals feel that these patients must continue to take the drugs it is important that the patients work closely with their ophthalmologist and that the use of these drugs be noted on the eye doctors’ patient charts.

{Published: “The Association of Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants With Intraocular Hemorrhage in Patients With Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” https://www.asrs.org/

Editor’s Note: In such cases, it is important that patients maintain diets and consider other complementary treatment to support the health of their retina and macula.