Dr. Grossman’s Blog

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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.

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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.

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.

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!

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.

image via medline plus

Celiac disease (also called gluten-induced enteropathy) is an intestinal disorder that results from intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye.  Eating gluten containing foods damages the small intestine and makes it impossible for sufferers to absorb nutrients properly, including vitamin A, which the eyes need to function in low light conditions.

Celiac disease may not cause symptoms in some people. However, people with the condition may report history of frequent, loose, watery stools; pale, foul-smelling, bulky stools; abdominal pain, gas and bloating; weight loss; fatigue; canker sores; muscle cramps; delayed growth or short stature; bone and joint pain; seizures; painful skin rash; and infertility. In addition to physical symptoms, there may be emotional disturbances including feelings of anxiety and depression.

Celiac disease can also cause nightblindness. Trouble in the intestinal tract can mean the body does not absorb enough essential vitamin A (a key component of beta-carotene and the reason your mom told you that carrots would help you eye sight).  Therapeutic doses of vitamin A can help correct the problem.   The best form of vitamin A is known as palmitate, taken in a daily dose of 15,000 international units.

Learn more about natural treatments for celiac disease.

Night blindness can also be caused by other factors.  Learn more at our website.

image via nassaucountyny.gov

The European Commission is standing behind the claims that omega-3s help infants’ brain and vision development. The claims relate to both intake by the mother during pregnancy and lactation as well as directly by the baby.

The statements relate to specific compounds found in the fatty acids:

• ALA contributes to the brain development of children
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and DHA intake contributes to the visual development of infants up to 12 months of age
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the brain and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants

Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/EC-to-confirm-infant-and-child-omega-3-claims

Not all fish oil is created equal, so consider your choices and be sure to go with a quality product.  The Natural Eye Care Vision Store has many products you can trust.

image via ods.od.nih.gov

Healthy fats are essential to eye health, and are especially important to the prevention and treatment of macular degeneration.

A study published in the Journal of Lipids Research looked into the roles played by both long chain and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs), both of which are naturally present in the eyes.  There are not a lot of VLC-PUFAs in the eyes, and they have not received a lot of scientific attention, but this study focused on the important role they play in eye health.

Researchers concluded that a lack of either LC-PUFAs and VLC-PUFAs can lead to macular degeneration.  Source: http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=10473&Section=Aging

Fish oil is the key source of these compounds.

Learn more about how to prevent macular degeneration naturally.

image by Charlie Cravero

The compounds found in bilberries, blueberries, and huckleberries are key to preventing and treating Poor Night Vision, Glaucoma, Myopia , Macular Degeneration , Diabetic Retinopathy , Cataracts , and Computer Eye Syndrome.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now certifying the amount organic acids available in in dietary supplements formulated with Vaccinium berries, including blueberries and bilberries.   These new standards can help consumers buy products made of the berries that they advertise, rather than diluting them with less expensive juices.  Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101110113044.htm

nih.gov

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.