Dr. Grossman’s Blog

At Natural Eye Care, we know that eye conditions are often related to diseases that affect the entire body.  At a conference last year, Clement Trempe, MD reminded colleagues to consider the role of overall inflammation when diagnosing patients with diabetic retinopathy.

According to Dr. Trempe, “Diabetic retinopathy is not an eye disease, but part of a chronic systemic inflammatory disease process that shares the same risk factors and elevated biomarkers associated with coronary vascular and neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s.”

In line with our way of thinking, Dr. Trempe recommended prevention (see our “Prevention Protocol“). The doctor also emphasized the importance of proper diet, lifestyle, and nutrition (see our self-help recommendations and supplement tips).

Source: PCON Supersite March 1, 2010

Image by Chefranden

Vitamin A plays a key role in the development of macular degeneration.  Researchers are working on the structure of vitamin A itself in an attempt reduce patients’ chances of losing their vision to AMD.

According to Columbia University Medical Center researchers, if it is possible to slow the aggregation or “clumping” of vitamin A within the eye, scientists might be able to discourage vision loss associated with macular degeneration.

As part of the natural biological processes in the eye, vitamin A undergoes a series of chemical transformations.  Molecules of vitamin A can combine with other vitamin A molecules to form clumpy deposits or “dimers.”  High levels of vitamin A dimers are present in elderly people with AMD, but they are also present in young children who develop the juvenile form of macular degeneration, Stargardt’s disease.

These animals studies are the first of their kind to produce positive results without causing vision loss and significant side effects.  Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry (Mar 11, 2011).

Image via USDA

The latest edition of Agricultural Research from the USDA is all about the powerful blueberry.

In one article, “Blueberries and Your Health: Scientists Study Nutrition Secrets of Popular Fruit,” researcher Xianli Wu describes his work with blueberries and their ability to reduce atherosclerosis.

“It’s already known that oxidative stress can increase atherosclerosis risk,” says Wu, “so the beneficial interactions of blueberries with these antioxidant enzymes are of interest to us. Since our center specializes in children’s nutrition research, we also want to determine whether blueberry-based interventions early in life could prevent atherosclerosis from developing in later years. If Mom eats blueberries during her pregnancy and feeds blueberries to her child, would that have a protective effect for the child? We don’t know, but that’s something we’d like to determine.”

Other studies have shown that diets rich in antioxidants – especially those found in blueberries – can be instrumental in helping people avoid macular degeneration.

image by USDA.gov

Macular xanthophylls, perhaps better known as lutein and zeaxanthin, are well known for their role as protectors against age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Research at the University of Georgia is also finding that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation can help people with healthy vision. Taking dietary supplements high in lutein and zeaxanthin will boost one’s  ability to deal with glare and helps people recover more quickly from blinding flash of light.

One more reason to boost your intake of these great little compounds? They have been linked to improved cognitive health in older adults.
Source: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com

Learn more about how these antioxidants can help support your vision.

Image via nnlm.gov

A recent article in the British Journal of Ophthalmology highlights the ways that gene therapies have great potential for helping individuals with eye diseases including retinitis pigmentosa,  Stargardt’s disease,  age-related macular degeneration, uveitis and glaucoma.

The eye is an ideal candidate for trials involving gene therapy because it is easily accessible, highly compartmentalised and immune-privileged (even when an antigen is introduced to the eye it will not trigger and inflammatory immune system response).

For further information on how gene therapies are impacting approaches to various eye conditions, please visit our research pages.

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 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.

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!