Dr. Grossman’s Blog

When a person’s pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels it becomes possible to develop diabetes.

Scientists at UCLA are working to make other cells in the body act like pancreatic beta cells in a quest to find exciting new therapies for diabetes.  A study published in Developmental Cell describes how researchers may have determined the process that would allow them to convert cells into becoming those essential pancreatic beta cells.

According to study co-author Dr. Anil Bhushan, “Our work shows that beta cells and related endocrine cells can easily be converted into each other.”

The source for this story, Science Blog, says, “It had long been assumed that the identity of cells was ‘locked’ into place and that they could not be switched into other cell types. But recent studies have shown that some types of cells can be coaxed into changing into others — findings that have intensified interest in understanding the mechanisms that maintain beta cell identity.”

Diabetes leads to the related eye condition, diabetic retinopathy, affects over one quarter of diabetes patients over age 40.  Get answers to the most common questions about diabetic retinopathy at our website.

Image via NIH.gov

Researchers ask so many questions about obscure topics, sometimes it is surprising when some topics are studied for the first time.

A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology claims to be first to have studied how visual impairment impacts the quality of life in children between the ages of 3 and 16.  A trial including 24 children who had impaired vision and 24 who had normal vision, showed that the kids with sight deficiencies scored almost 36% lower on quality of life questionnaires.  Researchers indicated that better accommodations need to be made for children with visual disabilities.  Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology

Binocular conditions, which generally refer to problems that make it difficult for the eyes to work together, can often affect kids’ ability to read, concentrate, an enjoy sports activities.

Specific gene mutations can be the cause of glaucoma, according to Indian researchers. Almost 4% of glaucoma sufferers exhibit gene mutations.  Scientists are identifying the specific mutations found in glaucoma patients in India and across the world; they have developed a database to make the statistical and clinical information and published it in the journal Bioinformations. Since 20% of all glaucoma cases affect Indians and people of Indian decent, this research is of specific interest to this country’s researchers.  Source: The Times of India

Previous research focused on American populations has found that people of African decent and Hispanics are more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians.  Learn more about who is most at risk of developing glaucoma.

Image by brokenarts

The pigments in the macula of the eye are predominantly composed of three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

Researchers describe have determined that these pigments, called  xanthophylls, act as both filters and antioxidants and how they protect the eye from the onset of macular degeneration. Evidence suggests that increased levels of macular pigment are related to a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Previous studies reveal that oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin can increase the levels of macular pigments in the retina and plasma.

Macular xanthophylls are made of the same compounds that cause egg yolks to be yellow too.  Eating eggs (preferably organic from free-range chickens) can actually help decrease your chances of developing the potentially blinding macular degeneration.  Learn more about how the nutrients in your food can support your eye health and overall health.

Image via ods.od.nih.gov

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition that affects almost 5% of diabetics. Peer reviewed scientific research has found that the following nutritional supplements may help people who are concerned about diabetic retinopathy and diabetes in general.

Chromium: 73% of type I and II diabetics who took chromium supplements reduced their requirement for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Taking chromium and niacin together reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance.

Bilberry: 79% of 37 patients with visible diabetic retinal abnormalities improved after taking 160 mg of bilberry extract twice daily, compared to 0% of the placebo control group, and 86% of those with abnormalities of angiography findings showed moderate to considerable improvement.

Ginkgo Biloba: According to the following double blind study, gingko biloba can help improve diabetic retinopathy by improving the flow of blood to the brain and extremities.

For more studies of natural compounds that can help those dealing with diabetic retinopathy, visit our research pages.

The University of Miami has sent  its high-tech mobile eye clinic over to help the people of Japan.  The 12-meter van, which was created in 2004 to help aid in the early detection of amblyopia, glaucoma, and macular degeneration in people who do not usually have access to health care, will remain in the tsunami and earthquake stricken areas for three months.

Specifically, the Vision Van is expected to help people who have suffered eye injuries as well as contact lens wearers whose corneas have been damaged after wearing their lenses for weeks on end.  They will also help people who have lost their glasses during the disaster and people who were previously diagnosed with eye diseases.  The van will be staffed by Japanese doctors.  Source: The Mainichi Daily News

Image via cdc.gov

High doses of vitamin D may help women under age 75 fight off macular degeneration (AMD).

Because of its abilities to fight inflammation and support immune health, vitamin D may help suppress t”he cascade of destructive inflammation” that happens during the early stages of AMD.

Women between age 50 and 79 in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study were evaluated to determine protective effects of vitamin D intake in the forms of food, nutritional supplements, and sunlight.  Taking vitamin D in supplement form proved to be more helpful in preventing the onset of macular degeneration than exposure to sunlight.  Source: OSN Supersite

For perspectives on how natural macular degeneration protocols worked for our clients, please visit our website.

Many people come in to the office concerned about eye floaters.  A lot of patients have probably been told that there is nothing that can be done about these annoying speck and streaks that move across the field of vision, but you can take steps to reduce and prevent eye floaters.

Here is some dietary advice I offer my patients.  For more tips on how to reduce and eliminate floaters please visit our website.

• Eat brown rice and other whole grains instead of refined and processed grains (such as white bread and pasta).
• Use unsulfered molasses and fruit juices for sweetening instead of white sugar, chocolate, or honey.
• Drink rice, almond, or soy milk, herb tea or unsweetened, diluted fruit juices instead of coffee, tea, alcohol, or dairy drinks.
• Steam or bake foods instead of frying them.
• Eat lots of vegetables, but avoid the nightshade family (e.g., tomatoes, green peppers, white potatoes and eggplant).
• Minimize your use of salt.

To see a video about what floaters are, click here.

image via www.cdc.gov

A study of over 5,000 American from various racial and ethnic backgrounds shows that across the board, an estimated 6.5% of Americans are likely to develop macular degeneration (AMD).

Unlike glaucoma, which affects a disproportionately high number of African Americans, macular degeneration is shown to be much more common in white Americans than it is in blacks.

The results of this 2005-2008 study show that fewer people are developing macular degeneration than back in the period between 1988 and 1994 when researchers reported a prevalence rate of the disease of 9.4%.  This drop in macular degeneration rates (down to 6.5%) could be due to methodological differences, but study authors do state that their findings do support the assertion that incidences of AMD are on the decline.  Source: Archives of Ophthalmology,Vol. 129, No. 1

Learn more about macular degeneration – watch this video at our website.

The following is an excerpt from my article that appears in the program foe next weekend’s Whole Health Expo in Northampton, Massachusetts.

There seems to be a broadly held perception that eye disease is unavoidable.  Though people will work hard to control their weight and cholesterol, they tend to have a “what will be will be” attitude about their eyes.  The truth is, there are numerous peer-reviewed studies that show clearly that eye conditions can respond to proper diet, lifestyle adaptations, and nutritional supplementation, and that people can preserve their vision.

You can read the rest of the article here to learn about how certain eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can respond to dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

Stop by an visit our booth for a complementary vision evaluation.  I will be speaking at 2:00 on Saturday, April 16.  My topic: 10 Ways to Preserve Eyesight Naturally.

I look forward to meeting you!