Dr. Grossman’s Blog

image via www.womenshealth.gov/

Americans of all ages are less healthy than people in Britain, according to an extensive new research project.

A study of health surveys of 40,000 U.S. residents and 70,000 individuals in the U.K. showed that Americans had more chronic diseases than their British counterparts.  Poor health was measured in rates of obesity, elevated cholesterol, heightened inflammation factors, diabetes, and asthma.  Source: MedlinePlus

Diabetes is said to affect almost 26 million Americans.  Nearly 30% of those people also have the related condition diabetic retinopathy.

It is possible to use natural approaches to control and prevent both diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

March is the American Dietetic Association’s National Nutrition Month.

This year, the theme is “Eat Right with Color.”  That seems particularly fitting since seeing color is one of the things we value most about our eyes.  The colors of the foods we eat – we are specifically talking about fruits and vegetables here – are often indicative of the nutrients they will deliver.

Check out the ADA’s guide for what colors indicate what great health benefits.

What’s an optometrist’s favorite color?  Blue.

Bilberry (a cousin of the blueberry) is the ultimate eye food, mainly because it contains carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants.  Getting your does of blue foods will help anyone concerned about Poor Night Vision, Glaucoma, Myopia , Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy , Cataracts , or  Computer Eye Syndrome.

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

Also, get the facts about the related condition, diabetic retinopathy.

In my practice and at NaturalEyeCare.com we know that the eyes are the windows to the soul and windows that reveal the state of your overall health.

A new story over at Yahoo Health lists 14 different conditions that can be recognized by looking into your eyes.

The list includes Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as Computer Eyestrain. Red, burning eyes as well as blurred vision, dizziness, and trouble concentrating are all signs of eyestrain from excessive computer use.  Visit our pages on computer eyestrain for tips on how to prevent and treat it.

Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, also made this list because they say it can be linked to acne rosacea.  Inflammed eyelids can also be a sign of allergies and sensitivities to foods or the environment.  It can even be a reaction to certain prescription or over the counter drugs – see more on drugs that harm the eyes.

Dry eyes are the most common complaint brought to eye doctors.  They can be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), asthma, thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), lupus, and possibly glaucoma.  Dry Eye Syndrome itself can be treated with several natural remedies.

Source:nei.nih.gov

The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control on diabetes are staggering.  The CDC now estimates that 26 million American has diabetes.

Their new report also estimates that one in three American adults is pre-diabetic (that means they have higher than normal blood sugar levels but they have not yet received a diabetes diagnosis).

According to the CDC’s press release:

In a study published last year, CDC projected that as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. Type 2 diabetes, in which the body gradually loses its ability to use and produce insulin, accounts for 90 percent to 95 percent of diabetes cases. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history, having diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes), a sedentary lifestyle, and race/ethnicity. Groups at higher risk for the disease are African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and some Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Source: CDC

The CDC’s diabetes fact sheet indicates that over 1/4 of people over 40 who have diabetes also have the potentially blinding diabetic retinopathy. Over 650,000 Americans have severely compromised vision due to diabetic retinopathy.

Learn more about how a healthy lifestyle and nutritional supplements can help you treat and control diabetes.

For more on the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, click here.

image via noaa.gov

Time spent in bright artificial light before bedtime has been linked to heightened blood pressure and an increased diabetes risk.

Researchers set to publish their findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism describe how nighttime exposure to light can disrupt melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles as well as blood pressure.  The study shows that being in bright light opposed to dim light caused the body to produce less melatonin.  Participants who were exposed to bright light during typical sleep hours produced an average of 50% less melatonin.

According to a news release from the Endocrine Society: “Given that chronic light suppression of melatonin has been hypothesized to increase relative risk for some types of cancer and that melatonin receptor genes have been linked to type 2 diabetes, our findings could have important health implications for shift workers who are exposed to indoor light at night over the course of many years,” says study author Joshua Gooley.

Source: http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=648869

Of course, trying to read or work on the computer in low light situations can contribute to eye disease can can harm your vision. Since sleep is important to eye health and health in general and is so key to keeping those dark circles away, maybe it is time to consider becoming a morning person!

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

image via www.co.pg.md.us

An article in the New York Times highlights how many Americans are not making it to their annual eye exams – even those who know they are at risk of developing or have already developed an eye disease.  A study by Lighthouse International shows that 86% of people with known eye conditions do not make it to the eye doctor each year.

The article goes on to say “Those at risk include people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, as well as anyone who has been a smoker or has a family history of an eye disorder like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.”  Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/health/21brody.html?_r=1&ref=health

Learn more about how to prevent eye disease naturally at www.naturaleyecare.com.

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In the formulas that I have created to support my patients’ and clients’ eye health I have included the herb ginseng because I know it helps improve heart and immune function.  It strengthens the immune system and is an excellent herb for overall health.  After all, the health of the eyes is inextricably connected to the health of the entire body.

A new study that appeared in The Cochrane Library revealed that some people may experience increased brain function when taking ginseng.  According to lead researcher JinSong Geng, M.D, “Ginseng appears to have some beneficial effects on cognition, behavior and quality of life.”  At the same time, the authors do not believe they have enough evidence to recommend people start taking the herb in therapeutic doses in hopes of improving brain health. Source: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22336

We do know that it supports the health of the retina, however.  Diabetic Retinopathy, often a side effect of diabetes, can be helped by taking ginseng.

image via tclw.das.ohio.gov

It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, and did you know that your eye doctor might be the one who can help to detect whether you have diabetes?

According to an article published in Kenttucky’s Journal Enterprise, “During a dilated exam, an optometrist will look at your retina for early signs of diabetic eye disease, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling and deposits on the retina.”   Dr. Randy Steele says,“Optometrists often serve as the first line of detection for diabetes, since the eye is the only place on the body that blood vessels can be seen without having to look through the skin.”

Learn more about how to prevent and treat diabetes naturally.

For more on the eye condition that often accompanies the disease, diabetic retinopathy, click here.

Diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to progressively blurred vision, is a real concern for diabetes patients.  In truth, only 6% of those with diabetes will lose their vision entirely because blindness in diabetics is largely treatable.  Changes in diet and lifestyle can help control both diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Those with diabetic retinopathy are much more susceptible to dry eye symptoms.  Diabetics have decreased tear break-up time, which indicates poor tear film stability.  A review of a number of studies on diabetic retinopathy and its effects published in the Expert Review of Ophthalmology states that “patients whose dry eye symptoms worsened tended to be those whose serum glucose was poorly controlled.”  Get more information on how to treat dry eye syndrome naturally.

Learn more about how to treat diabetes naturally.

For more on how to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy, visit our website.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729120