Natural Vision Care

Last month Archives of Ophthalmology published a meta analysis on omega-3 fatty acid and fish intake and its effect on the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

This study identified 274 abstracts, 3 prospective cohort, 3 case-control, and 3 cross-sectional studies.

Using quantitative methods, a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a 38% reduction in the risk of late AMD. Fish intake (2x per week) was associated with reduced risk of early and late AMD.

More omega-3 and AMD specific studies need to be conducted to further investigate omega-3¹s effect on AMD.

Ref: Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(6):826-833.

For more information on nutrients and macular degeneration, go to www.naturaleyecare.com and click on “Eye Conditions” then “Macular Degeneration”.

Research study showed that people with open-angle glaucoma (POAG) had significantly higher levels of homocysteine (Hcy) levels in their tear fluids. Patients with open-angle glaucoma who also had dry eye disease had significantly higher Hcy levels both in tear fluid and plasma than POAG patients without dry eye disease.

SOURCE: Roedl JB, Bleich S, Schlotzer-Schrehardt U, et al. Increased homocysteine levels in tear fluid of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Ophthalmic Res 2008;40(5):249-56

Editor’s Note: People with elevated homocysteine levels are more likely to have strokes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, kidney disease, diseases of the eye, erectile dysfunction, and, especially, heart disease (De Bree A et al 2002).

Homocysteine level is affected by a number of influences, including lifestyle, dietary choices, and genetics. As we age, our ability to absorb nutrients decreases. As a result, less of the important B vitamins are available to help metabolize homocysteine. Homocysteine level is also increased by certain pharmaceuticals, an aging metabolism, smoking, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress.

Supplementation of certain B vitamins can help reduce homocysteine levels including folic acid, and Vitamins B6 amd B12. To varying degrees, folic acid and vitamin B12 increase the remethylation of homocysteine back into SAMe. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the conversion of homocysteine into glutathione along the transsulfuration pathway.

For more related glaucoma studies, go to www.naturaleyecare.com and click on the “Research” link.

A recent study showed that supplement with Omega-6 fatty acid in the form of Evening Primrose Oil has a beneficial effect in alleviating dry eye symptoms and improving overall lens comfort
in patients suffering from contact lens-associated dry eye.

SOURCE: Kokke KH, Morris JA, Lawrenson JG. Oral omega-6 essential fatty acid treatment
in contact lens associated dry eye. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2008;31(3):141-6.

For study details, go to www.naturaleyecare.com and click on ‘Research” then “Dry Eyes”

My posting of May 28, 2008 referenced N-Acetyl-Carnosine, which can stabilize and even improve cataracts.

Carnosine’s best-known effect, however, is its ability to prevent the formation of advanced glycated end products (protein crosslinks). Carnosine competes with proteins for the binding sites they would occupy on sugar molecules, making it the best glycation preventative currently recognized in the world of nutrition research. Carnosine has been found to significantly extend the life span of cultured cells and fruit flies, inhibit the toxic effects of the protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, protect against the toxic effects of copper- zinc in the brain and enhance the state of balance (homeostasis) under which physiological systems work best. And, finally, it has been shown to prevent and/or reverse cataract.14,1514. Quinn PJ, et al. Carnosine: its properties, functions and potential therapeutic applications. Mol Aspects Med 1992; 13(5):379-444. 15. Specht S, et al. Continuing damage to rat retinal DNA during darkness following light exposure. Photochem Photobiol 2000; 71(5):559-66.

When administered topically to the eye in the form of N-acetyl-L-carnosine-(functionally, a time-release form of carnosine), this dipeptide can move easily into both the water-soluble (aqueous) and lipid-containing parts of the eye. Once there, it helps to prevent DNA strand breaks induced by UV radiation and enhances DNA repair.16 Once it has entered the lipid areas of the eye, N-acetyl-L-carnosine partially breaks down and becomes L-carnosine.

Chinese and Russian researchers have studied cataract-preventive nutrients for nearly a decade. A Chinese study done by A.M. Wang in 1999, used 96 patients aged 60 years or older having senile cataracts of various degrees of maturity with the duration of the disease from 2 to 21 years. Patients instilled one to two drops of the carnosine-containing solution in each eye three to four times each day for a period of treatment ranging from three to six months. The level of eyesight improvement and the change of lens transparency were considered as an evaluation index of the curative effect of carnosine. The result showed that carnosine gives a pronounced effect on primary senile cataracts, the effective rate being 100%. For mature senile cataracts, the effect rate was 80%.

Ref: Wang AM, et al. Use of carnosine as a natural anti-senescence drug for human beings. Department of Biochemistry and Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, China 1999.

You can see Dr. Grossman demonstrate 3 of his favorite eye exercises on youtube. Please feel free to write a nice comment on youtube as this helps to get our video to reach more people.

Don’t forget Dr. Grossman’s free eye exercise e-booklet; - with details for different vision conditions.

This study showed that using eyedrops containing n-acetyl-carnosine can stabilize and even improve cataracts.

Statistical analysis revealed the significant differences over 6 and 24 months in cumulative positive changes of overall characteristics of cataracts in the NAC-treated Group II from the control Group I. The N-acetylated form of natural dipeptide L-carnosine appears to be suitable and physiologically acceptable for nonsurgical treatment for senile cataracts.

Peptides 2001 Jun;22(6):979-94

See more information on cataracts and nutrition.

Here are some practical things you can do about floaters, those small dark shapes that seem to float through your field of vision.

They may look like dots, squiggles, strands or any of a hundred other shapes. Though annoying, floaters are harmless, and there are ways to prevent them through proper diet.

Warning: If you suddenly become aware of new spots in your vision, see your eye doctor right away to rule out serious problems.

Maintain a healthy diet:

1. The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions including Floaters with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
2. Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our floater recipe is some combination of the following: garlic, parsley, beets, carrots, celery, parsnip, apple, raspberries (not too much fruit). Also see more info on juicing..
3. Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as One Plus Multivitamin Formula and/or and organic green drink daily such as Nanogreens
4. For protein, emphasize fish, soy (in moderation), almonds, sunflower seed and sesame seeds. avoid meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products and most other nuts.
5. Eat brown rice and other whole grains instead of refined and processed grains (such as white bread and pasta).
6. Limit your intake of citrus fruit, particularly those high in vitamin C such as tangerines, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, papayas and pineapples.
7. Use unsulfered molasses and fruit juices for sweetening instead of white sugar, chocolate or honey.
8. Drink rice, almond or soy milk, herb tea or unsweetened, diluted from fruit juices instead of coffee, tea, alcohol and dairy drinks.
9. Steam or bake foods instead of frying them.
10. Eat lots of vegetables, but avoid the nightshade family(e.g., tomatoes, green peppers, white potatoes and eggplant).
11. Minimize your use of salt.
12. Try to manage your stress. Take up Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, walks in nature, or prayer on a daily basis.

Complementary Treatment and Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products

Essential: ReVision Formula- for overall eye health

Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula - Whole Food Formula ($37.95 per bottle regular or $27.95 per bottle on automatic delivery).

Very Important: Floater Homeopathic Pellets

Very Important: Hyaluronic Acid 70 mg 60 vcapsules

Important: Clear Focus a liquid based sublingual formula containing Bilberry, Lutein, Ginkgo Biloba and Zeaxanthin.

Important: Milk Thistle Liquid Extract 2oz

Helpful: MSM Eyedrops 1 oz (30ml)- MSM eyedrops permit better eye health

Helpful: Carlsons Finest Omega-3 Fish Oil (200 ml)

Helpful: NanoGreens 10 (360 gm) 12.7 oz

Helpful: Calcium Ultra 180 vcaplets

Self Help:

Finally, you’ll find the experience of a woman who recovered from floaters and vitreous detachment to be quite interesting.

A recent 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. 

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

For more information on this study, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=2&disease=Cataracts

A new 2008 study done at The Centre for Vision Research at the University of Sydney, Australia, studied the dietary and supplement intakes of antioxidants and the long-term risk of incident age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The results of the study showed those with higher levels of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets had a reduced risk of macular degeneration.

For more information on this study as well as other related studies, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=8&disease=Macular+Degeneration