Nov
11
2010
A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology shows that people with a body mass index of less than 25 are less likely than their peers to develop macular degeneration. Daily exercise also helped keep the eye disease in check. Over the course of the four year study patients who participated in vigorous exercise at least three times per week reduced the chance that the disease would worsen by 25%.
Source: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/study.asp?s_num=167
For more research on macular degeneration, visit our website.
To learn more about how to prevent and treat macular degeneration naturally, visit this page.
Oct
28
2010
via minorityhealth.hhs.gov
Age is a major factor in the development of potentially debilitating eye conditions such as macular degeneration, but there are risk factors for the disease that one can control. The two major contributors to the development of macular degeneration that you can avoid: smoking and fat intake.
The good news related to smoking and the development of macular degeneration is that you can cut your risk significantly if you quit (unlike some diseases where a past history of smoking is as bad a being a current smoker). It’s another good incentive to kick the habit.
Regular intake of both animal and vegetable fats (including trans fats and hydrogenated fats) can make one twice as susceptible to macular degeneration. It is important to focus on the good fats like those found in essential fatty acids.
For further information on how to prevent and treat macular degeneration naturally, visit our website.
Oct
24
2010
via usda.gov
Macular Degeneration (ARMD-Aged Related Macular Degeneration) is the slow deterioration of the cells in the macula, a tiny yellowish area near the center of the retina where vision is the most precise, that affects the central vision. There is a common misconception that blindness is inevitable for those with macular degeneration, but there are a number of nutrients and supplements that can support the eyes and promote natural healing.
Research shows that the amino acid taurine has the ability to prevent, treat and stabilize retinal changes in some cases. Eggs and fish are good sources of taurine, but you can also take it in supplement form.
An important note: taurine should be taken on an empty stomach.
Even more important are the cartenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are primarily obtained from dark green leafy vegetables. Research shows that risk of AMD was significantly lower in those who increased the cartenoids in their diet – up to 43%. So, eat your spinach and your kale and your collards and consider supplementing your diet further to really protect yourself from macular degeneration.
Visit our page on macular degeneration to learn about other nutrients and compounds that can support your eye health.
Also, learn more about the nutrients available in your food at this page.
Oct
20
2010
Image via ars.usda.gov
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.
Oct
14
2010
Image courtesy of Vision2020.org
Today, Thursday, October 14 is World Sight Day. Included on the World Health Organization’s official calendar, one of the main goals of this yearly occasion is to raise public awareness of blindness & vision impairment as major international public health issues.
Across the developing world, blindness is a huge issue. Ninety percent of the world’s vision impaired people live in low income countries. But so many eye problems – 80% according to World Sight Day organizers - are preventable. Vision2020 is dedicated to helping people across the globe. Visit their site for details: http://www.vision2020.org/main.cfm
My work is dedicated to helping you prevent eye conditions that could lead to serious visual impairment such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts.
Take some time on this World Sight Day to educate yourself on how diet, exercise, supplementation, and an evaluation of your lifestyle habits could help you preserve the precious gift of sight. Visit our page on preventing eye disease.
Request free eye exercises and tips tailored to your eye condition.
Oct
08
2010
Image courtesy of usa.gov
After a year long study, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine and the VA Boston Healthcare System have found no differences between the two major macular degeneration drugs. A survey of the drugs sold as Avastin and Lucentis showed that neither was more effective than the other when it comes to treating wet macular degeneration. According the source of this story, Medical News Today, “Lucenitis costs approximately $2000.00 per injection, while Avastin costs approximately $50.00 per injection.”
We advocate natural approaches to eye disease prevention and treatment. To control and fight eye diseases like macular degeneration, consider your diet and cut back on caffeine and soda; evaluate your lifestyle (cease smoking, avoid alcohol); exercise regularly; and manage stress effectively. Certain nutrients such as omega-3 fish oil and CoQ10 with L-Carnitine may help slow down macular degeneration and preserve vision.
Please visit our website to learn about way to treat macular degeneration naturally and tips on self-help for macular degeneration sufferers and those who’d like to prevent the disease.
Sep
27
2010
Image by ngould
There’s another piece of evidence that suggests moderate drinking – one or two alcoholic beverages each day – can be beneficial for the eyes.
A study of over 3,600 Australians found that when the figures were adjusted to account for other factors (including age, smoking, and diabetes), people who had one or two drinks each day were 50% less likely to have cataract surgery. The moderate drinkers were less likely to require surgery for cataracts than counterparts who drank more as well as those who did not drink at all.
Source: http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=70524
Studies suggest that the resveratrol in one glass of red wine per day can help prevent macular degeneration.
Sep
22
2010
Image courtesy of bio.sandia.gov
Researchers have made a new breakthrough that helps them better understand how genes work to aid the development of the eyes and brain.
They found that the gene Six3 acts as gatekeeper that protects the eye from potentially disruptive signaling proteins as the eye forms in utero.
The eyes, and the retinas specifically, are incredibly complex structures and scientists appreciate the intricately choreographed dance of the genes as they turn on and off at exactly the right times to make proper physical and mental development possible.
But why should we care about another genetic discovery in a lab like the one at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which ran this study?
Medical News today, the source of this story, spoke to senior study author Guillermo Oliver, Ph.D who said, “realizing the potential of stem cells or other cell-based replacement therapies to correct vision or treat blindness requires a more detailed understanding of the genes and molecular mechanisms involved in normal retinal development.”
In other words, if we want future therapies to help recreate cells to help heal conditions such as macular degeneration of glaucoma, we need to understand how the eyes come together in the first place.
Study: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Sep
21
2010
Image courtesy of: www.jgi.doe.gov
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
Sep
20
2010
Image by yellowj
Early diagnosis is key to dealing effectively with eye diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Researchers from around the country are working together to adapt the technologies that allow astronomers to observe distant galleries so that eye doctors can better examine the retina even through imperfections on the lens and cornea. These adaptive optics–optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) systems could be the wave of the future for eye disease diagnosis.
Read more about this technology at Scientific American.
Learn more about how to prevent eye disease at our website.
A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology shows that people with a body mass index of less than 25 are less likely than their peers to develop macular degeneration. Daily exercise also helped keep the eye disease in check. Over the course of the four year study patients who participated in vigorous exercise at least three times per week reduced the chance that the disease would worsen by 25%.
