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.
Poor Diet can have a
strong negative effect on our eyesight,
just as a good diet can be a positive influence:
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? http://www.preventblindness.org/eye_problems/sunFAQ.html
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, 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, visionand 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. He also worked with Carlson Labs to formulate a supplement which
embodies his recommendations.
Some specific
information for the major eye problems:
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.
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.
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 - http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/4/482
A "significant improvement in visual fields
indices" has been achieved using Ginkgo
Biloba extract - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12578781&dopt=Abstract
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. http://intapp.medscape.com/px/medlineapp/getdoc?ord=1&searchid=3&have_local_holdings_file=1&local_journals_only=0&searchstring=bilberry+cataracts
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.
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.
Study
on Lutein's effects on Macular Degeneration.
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.
Seleniumis 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.
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:
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.
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