Dr. Grossman’s Blog

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A recent article in Medscape Today reviews approaches to preventing and curing glaucoma (diseases that damage the optic nerve) through the employment of “neuroprotective agents.”   According to the article “neuroprotection aims to protect as yet undamaged, and to rescue already damaged neurons, from the glaucoma insult(s) to retinal ganglion cells.”

In addition to describing more traditional pharmaceutical options for fighting glaucoma, the review includes a discussion of several antioxidants including melatonin, Coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba.  Antioxidants, a more natural approach than the pharmaceuticals in the study, may be helpful neuroprotective agents.

Learn more about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally at our website.

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Antioxidants have been shown to help the body in yet another way: treating male infertility.

A new study published in the journal Human Fertility discusses how oxidative stress can be a major factor in male infertility.  Oxidation is the natural byproduct of metabolism; antioxidants help to clear away this cellular debris.

The research highlights the effectiveness of antioxidants found in carnitines, and vitamins C and E as well as glutathione, selenium and coenzyme Q10 when it comes to measurable positive outcomes – that is, pregnancy rates in the subjects’ partners.  http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=10573&Section=Vitamins

Men who start loading up on their antioxidants may find that their eye health improves as well.  For example, studies have shown that glutathione can help reduce the likelihood of developing age related eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Learn more about how to prevent and treat macular degeneration naturally.

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Researchers in China say studies in rats indicate substances in green tea may protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma. Scientists led by Chi Pui Pang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Eye Hospital confirmed green tea substances — known for antioxidant and disease-fighting properties — were absorbed in the lens, retina and other eye tissue.

The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, suggested until now it was not known if green tea substances actually passed from the gastrointestinal tract into eye tissue. The researchers analyzed the eye tissue of laboratory rats that drank green tea and found several “catechins” in green tea that contain antioxidants – including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin — were absorbed by the eye in significant amounts. The researchers said green tea catechins reduced harmful oxidative stress in the eye for up to 20 hours.

“Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress,” the study researchers said in a statement. Reported in April, 2010 ACS’ bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Editor’s Note: Catechins such as those found in green tea are among a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, thought to help protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye ailments.

Learn more about how to prevent and treat glaucoma naturally.

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Leafy greens are a vital source of two compounds vital to eye health: lutein and zeaxanthin.  Both of these cartenoids are powerful antioxidants that help prevent diseases like macular degeneration.

A new study funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture aims to boost the safety and quality of field-grown organic leafy greens.

The project involves finding a way to use plant based materials to line the bags that greens are sold in with a hope of reducing or eliminating bacterial outbreaks like salmonella and E. coli.  Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/207722.php

Learn more about foods can protect your eyes and promote health.

Prevent macular degeneration naturally with these tips.

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A study published in the Nutrition Journal sought to find how walnuts can increase the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy adults.  Study authors did not find any measurable increases, but they believe that further study is warranted.

They did find that levels of important compounds, the fatty acid linoleic acid and pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6), did increase over the course of the 19 week study.

Source: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/21

Antioxidants are a key to eye health. They combat free radials that cause such eye diseases, particularly macular degneration and cataracts.

To prevent computer eyestrain it is important to analyze your habits – your time in front of the screen, your light source, your posture.  See more about how to set up your desk to avoid computer eyestrain at our website.

In addition to good ergonimics, you can also try eye exercises and think about your diet.

A study published in Applied Ergonomics reveals that eyestrain may be eased by taking a daily supplement containing blackcurrant fruit extract, lutein, and zeaxanthin (http://www.naturaleyecare.com/study.asp?s_num=269).  These antioxidants are powerful aids to eye health.

Prevention is always the best medicine.  That means eating right and changing any lifestyle habits that may be detrimental to your health. Learn more about how to prevent computer eye strain today.

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Fruits like blueberries get a lot of credit for being great antioxidants, helping to combat free radicals and fight eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, but researchers have found another antioxidants source that might be even more powerful: sorghum bran.

Researchers from the University of Georgia study found that the black and sumac varieties of sorghum have significant levels of antioxidants – even higher than may fruits. Sorghum also happens to be much less expensive.

Those involved with the study hope that a concentrate, high-tannin form of sorghum can be marketed and added to foods or sold as a powder to those seeking its antioxidant powers.  It is also a potential source of fiber.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/200978.php

We heard a lot about antioxidants, but what are they and why do we need them and where can we get them?

Free radicals are unstable atoms that attack other cells in their attempt to gain a missing electron that will make them more stable.  This attack harms the cells’ delicate membranes, thereby making them a target for disease. This process is called oxidation and it is responsible for aspects of the aging process including wrinkles, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron to the unstable cells. After being neutralized, those free radicals will no longer attempt to damage cells, and therefore become less harmful to the body.

Antioxidants can be found in a host of foods.

Four particularly important antioxidants:

Astaxanthin, Glutathione, CoQ10 and Super oxide dismutase.

Learn all about antioxidants at our website.

Then great antioxidant properties of blueberries and blackberries has gotten a lot of press for good reason, but recent research shows that black rice is another powerful force of anthocyanin antioxidants. The results of this study were presented to the American Chemical Society.

According to Zhimin Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge, “Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants.”

Known as “Forbidden Rice” in China, this study focused on rice grown in Louisiana and is emphasizing the potential of growing this crop domestically.

Antioxidants are key to maintaining vision health.  Read more about food sources of nutrients that benefit the eyes.

Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Forbidden-rice-may-rival-blueberries-as-antioxidant-source

Retinitis Pigmentosa (pigmentosis) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the retina that can cause a profound loss of vision. Various hereditary patterns have been reported. This disease affects 1 out of 3700 people.

A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology showed that taking 15,000 IU of Vitamin A per day can slow the progression of retinitis pigmentosa.  On the other hand, this same study showed that taking Vitamin E supplements actually accelerated vision decline.

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The conventional medical opinion posits that there is no treatment or cure for retinitis pigmentosa, but we believe that a progressive approach to maintaining a healthful diet and lifestyle can slow down RP, and, in some cases, even help to preserve vision.  In addition to Vitamin A, supplementing the diet with lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, other antioxidants and COQ10 have all been shown to benefit RP sufferers.

For more information on retinitis pigmentosa research, visit our website.