The health of our bodies
stands on a tripod of diet, exercise and nutrition, and the
four most common vision problems:
Glaucoma, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration and
Diabetic Retinopathy can and do respond to maximizing
these aspects of our overall health.
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Poor Diet can
have a strong
negative effect on our eyesight,
just as a good diet can be a positive influence:
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- People who are overweight are predisposed
to cataracts , so healthy eating for weight control is an
important factor in avoiding them.
- Diabetics because of their blood sugar
problems are more susceptible to cataracts as well as
retinopathy. It is essential to control blood sugar levels
to maintain eye health.
- Scientists from the Center on Aging at Tufts University
obtained dietary information from 4,099 non-diabetic
participants ages 55-80 years (56 percent women) in the
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). A total of 8,125
eligible eyes at baseline were classified into 1 of 5 AMD
groups according to the size and extent of pathological
growths known as drusen, the presence of atrophy, and
neovascular changes.
Compared with subjects who consumed lower glycemic-index
foods, subjects who consumed foods with the highest glycemic
index had a significantly higher risk of developing drusen-related
damage associated with AMD. Consuming foods with a high-glycemic
index also appeared to increase the severity of AMD. For
subjects who consumed more high-glycemic foods than the
average person their age, there was a 49 percent increase in
the risk of advanced AMD.
The study authors concluded that “20% of prevalent cases of
AMD would have been eliminated if the AREDS participants
consumed diets with a dietary glycemic index below the
median.” They went on to state that “a reduction in the
dietary glycemic index, a modifiable risk factor, may
provide a means of diminishing the risk of AMD.”
- There appears to be a connection between
Glaucoma and
lactose intolerance (Lancet 1978) as
some people, due to genetic factors, have a problem with
galactose: unfortunately, the procedure to determine whether
this applies is costly and complicated: I would ask myself
whether any close family members developed cataracts, and if
so, avoid high intakes of dairy products. I would also
check to see whether my blood type is O, as this connection
(
Blood type O/dairy intolerance)
occurs too often to be ignored.
- Actual deficiencies of certain
nutrients, among them B1 (thiamine), B2
(riboflavin), and
zinc have been investigated as
contributing to vision problems, zinc deficiencies
being common in patients with Macular Degeneration.
- Not protecting your eyes against harmful
UV rays can cause eye problems.
Why do we need sunglasses?
Dr. Jonathan Wright in his book Guide
to Healing with Nutrition (currently, alas, out of
print) cites the case of a patient with this problem who
improved dramatically after having her
stomach acid checked and
corrected (it was so low she was not absorbing her minerals
or protein) and adding Zinc Picolinate, selenium, vitamin
E and Taurine. Because absorption was such a problem, he
administered the minerals both intravenously and orally, and
his patient who originally tested 20/100 and 20/80, improved
to 20/40 and 20/30. At age 75, that's not bad!
Antioxidants are an important factor in every aspect
of natural eye health |
as are the
procyanidins in fruits. I
do a lot of close work with beads and needlepoint, (here
is one of my tapestries) and would be devastated
if anything were to go wrong with my eyesight. For years I
have supported it in every way I can! I already use
Jarrow's
Vision Optimizer, and recently, I began adding Garden
of Life's Fruits of Life to my morning shake to take
advantage of all the concentrated fruits and Ellagic acid it
contains, together with a spoonful of Blueberry Extract.
Blueberries have been studied for many qualities,
and the most positive results have come in areas where
antioxidants are important, such as cancer protection,
cardiovascular health, vision
and brain function. Blueberries scored better than
40 other fruits and vegetables tested in ORAC (oxygen radical
absorbance capacity) activity
I highly recommend a book by ophthalmologist
Dr. Abel, who after 25 years in traditional practice
became aware of the link between nutrition and eye health
( and between eye health and our general health), dedicating
several years of research to identifying alternative approaches
to vision problems. See The Eye Care Revolution
in
RESOURCES at right. He also
worked with Carlson Labs to formulate a supplement which
embodies his recommendations.
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Some specific
information for the major eye problems:
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Diabetic retinopathy:
- the approaches that are helpful
for this problem are controlling oxygenation, blood
sugar, cholesterol levels and circulation.
- High on the list of essentials,
therefore, is
Alpha Lipoic Acid
(It is noted for its ability to both lower cholesterol,
and regulate blood sugar levels. In Europe, ALA has been
used for 30 years as a medically approved treatment for
problems connected with diabetes)
- Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
(particularly
Quercetin) to address
leakage from damaged capillaries.
- Other antioxidants, particularly A, E
and Glutathione, are extremely important and helpful.
Information about naturally
controlling blood sugar
Glaucoma
- Glaucoma can be aggravated by
other allergies, not just dairy: it would be wise to
determine whether you have food intolerances.
- Caffeine is definitely an
aggravating factor in some people.
(Ann. Ophthalmology 1964).
- The pressure in the eyes of those
affected is raised by stress, and therefore
stress control measures
can be very helpful, as can herbs that may help
lower blood pressure generally .
- Those of us who are using
Glucosamine Sulfate for achy joints may be
interested to know that some research (McCarty, Med
Hypoth 51:483-483, 1998) on the role of GS in the
production of hyaluronic acid suggests that it might be
helpful for people suffering from open-angle Glaucoma .
While there have not yet been any clinically acceptable
studies done on this connection, experiments have
shown hyaluronic acid to be deficient in glaucoma
sufferers.
- Glaucoma appears to be helped by B12,
which leads to the probability that
faulty absorption of nutrients
plays a significant part in its development.
-
Essential Fatty Acids
have been found to be deficient in people with this eye
problem. This would tie in with the importance of
DHA in vision for children.
- Bilberry has been shown in
many studies to be beneficial for almost every kind of
eye problem, and is especially relevant in Glaucoma
because of its helpfulness in restoring night vision and
its protective effect on capillaries.
- A randomized study was conducted in
Rome (Parisi et al, Opthalm. 1999, 106:1126-34)
to evaluate the effect of a substance called CDP-Choline
on open-angle glaucoma. The results were impressive, and the
researchers concluded that there as a definite potential
for use of CDP-Choline in treatment. No side effects
were experienced.
- In Europe, Vitamin C is
routinely used to address glaucoma, because of its
importance in collagen formation.
- Omega 3 fatty acids, for their positive
effect on inflammation.
Eskimos have very low rates of Glaucoma
- A "significant improvement in visual
fields indices" has been achieved using
Ginkgo Biloba extract
- And here's a hint - don't wear a
tightly knotted tie during an eye exam: it
may lead to a false diagnosis of Glaucoma!
- Corollary to that, wearing ties tightly
too often may contribute to Glaucoma
Cataracts
- A 1989 study of Bilberry found
that 80 to 160 mg of an extract with a standardized
anthocyanidin content taken 3 times a day with vitamin
E, stopped progression of cataract formation in 97% of
50 patients.
- * A 1994 report in JAMA details work
done with not only beta-carotene, but other
carotenoids, specifically lutein and
zeaxanthin. These fat soluble antioxidants were
associated with lowering risks for cataracts by up to
57%! The highest sources of these nutrients are dark
green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collards -
in fact, a Nurse's Health Study reported that eating
spinach correlated better with protection from cataracts
than any other factor - it showed that people who eat
spinach 5 or more times per week, had half the risk of
forming cataracts of those who rarely or never eat
spinach! Pop-eye must have had sharp eyes as well as big
muscles!
- A German study in 1980, found that a
standardized Ginkgo Biloba extract brought about
mild improvement in 46 patients: this was considered
significant, because of the advanced stage of the
disease in these cases.
- The Nurses' Health Study found that
those who had taken Vitamin C at ANY dosage for
more than 10 years had 77% less occurrence of cataracts.
- Melatonin, bilberry and folic acid are
mentioned in
this study
as helping both cataracts and glaucoma.
Age Related Macular
Degeneration
-
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a typical result
of the aging process: age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in
people over age 65. The exact cause of AMD is not yet
known, although the protective role of nutrition against
the condition is being researched at major universities
and other institutions. Prevent Blindness America
estimates that AMD may affect 13 million individuals in
this country.
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Lutein and Zeaxanthin are important antioxidants used by
the body for a number of physiological functions.
Zeaxanthin has been shown to be present in the center of
the macula. Lutein and zeaxanthin are usually found
together in leafy green vegetables, such as kale,
broccoli, spinach and mustard greens.
One of the primary functions of lutein and zeaxanthin is to
provide protection against oxidative and free radical
damage. These yellow-colored carotenoids are found in
high concentrations within the macula lutea (the yellow
spot in the center of the retina) and in smaller amounts
throughout the retina and the eye lens. These stores
appear to diminish with age if not regularly replenished
through dietary means.
- A
1994 study published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association concluded that a daily Lutein intake
of 6 mg led to a 43 % lower risk of developing AMD.
(Lynn: that's 600 mcg: a certain mass market multi
which proudly boasts it contains Lutein contains - wait
for it! - 4mcg!!)
Scientists believe that lutein and zeaxanthin contribute to
the density of macular pigment -- the component of the
eye which typically absorbs and filters out 40 to 60% of
damaging near-ultraviolet blue light (near-UV blue
light) which strikes the retina. The denser the pigment,
the more the inner retina is protected from
light-induced damage. Lutein/zeaxanthin also helps limit
blue light damage to the inner retina by inhibiting
lipid peroxidation and by neutralizing free radicals.
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Study on Lutein's effects on Macular
Degeneration.
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Zinc
has been shown in many studies to be helpful for AMD, but
finding the optimal amount is proving difficult:
too little does no good, and too much does
harm. Absorption is of paramount important: zinc
is one of the minerals that people with absorption
problems have particular difficulty with. I prefer,
rather than to suggest high levels of Zinc, to suggest
an absorbable capsule using monomethionine or picolinate
as the carrier. Remember to balance Zinc with
Copper.
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Selenium
is a trace mineral to which, in my opinion, far too little
attention is paid. It is part of the pathway of
the anti-oxidant Glutathione, and is itself an
anti-oxidant with a protective effect against UV light.
The evidence of protection is so strong, and
the potential for harm so minimal, that I would recommend
looking out a formula containing some or all of these, and
adding it to your regimen.
A natural therapy is also showing promise for
treatment of eye problems due to hemorrhage and thrombi in the
blood vessels to the eye: Natto-K, an enzyme derived
from a well-known Japanese food, has in some patients in Tokyo
cleared such cases up in 10 days.
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Certainly we
have now have the basis of a program to address eye problems
naturally, one which will do no harm,
and has a high probability of success:
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- Make sure your weight is in normal
range by exercise and diet.
- Limit caffeine,
- If you smoke - stop.
- Identify food allergies and avoid the
culprits.
- Also, if you have any reason to
suspect milk intolerance, avoid dairy foods.
- Work to replace the specific nutrients
mentioned.
Dr. Cichoke, the Dean of Enzyme Therapy,
suggests using proteolytic enzymes to fight the pain,
swelling and inflammation associated with glaucoma: he also
finds them useful for cataracts. For more information on
this, I refer you to his book The Complete Book of Enzyme
Therapy. Enzyme Therapy is, to my mind, one of the
most promising areas of research at the moment, and using the
proper enzymes can address and help almost any condition of
ill-health, as well as supporting optimum health.
| Did you have major
intestinal surgery EVER? Even as
long as 25 or 30 years ago?
If so, it will be worth checking
with your Doctor to see whether your absorption
of Vitamin A has been impaired.
Researchers published these
findings in the British Journal of Ophthalmology
in 2006:.
The researchers base their report on three
patients with increasingly poor eyesight or
night blindness, who attended a specialist eye
clinic within the space of a year. None of the
patients had a family or personal history of eye
problems.
All three patients, who were all over the age of
65, had had extensive intestinal surgery between
20 and 35 years earlier.
The operations included intestinal bypass,
surgical removal of diseased tissue as a result
of inflammatory bowel disease, and gallbladder
removal.
All the patients were diagnosed with vitamin A
deficiency, and this was in spite of them having
taken vitamin supplements.
Read more here
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