Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Image via www.ncagr.gov

In our practice we are great proponents of juicing and its many health benefits. One veggie that is in many of the recipes that we recommend for specific eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and eye floaters is the humble seeming beet.  We have known for a long time the beet helps to improve circulation and also purifies and builds up the blood.

New research finds that the nitrates found in beet juice both widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to the brain.

In a study of 14 people over age 70 published in Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry, the participants who ate a high-nitrate diet featuring beat juice showed increased blood flow to the white matter of the frontal lobes of their brains.  Dementia and other related conditions are most commonly associated with the degradation of that part of the brain.  Source: WebMD

For more information on juicing, please visit our website.

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.

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.

Painting of a retina with uveitis by Howard Bartner via history.nih.gov

As part of our Vision Wellness Protocol to prevent all eye diseases, we always recommend that you stop smoking.  Here’s another reason to quit: people who smoke are more than two times as likely to develop uveitis than non-smokers.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the eye that can result in severe and permanent vision loss. In addition, uveitis can lead to other ocular complications including glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage all of which can severely damage the eyes. Early detection and treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.

Uveitis can be a result of trauma to the eye, but often it is not possible to trace its cause.  But, as this study suggests, we may be able to add smoking to the list.  According to study author Nisha Acharya, MD, “Cigarette smoke includes compounds that stimulate inflammation within the blood vessels, and this may contribute to immune system disruption and uveitis.”

Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301135215.htm

For more on uveitis, including how to prevent and treat it naturally, visit our website.

Sometimes those bits of wisdom that “everybody knows” just have to be true.  In this case, yes, carrots really are good for your eyes.

A report at the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting described how beta carotene can help people with retinitis pigmentosa.

Image via maine.gov

Retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary disease most often marked by the onset of nightblindness during childhood that eventually leads to a loss of peripheral and eventually in many cases blindness.  Previous research has shown beta carotene, 9-cis, can help treat night blindness.  In this study, one third of the retinitis pigmentosa patients under observation showed improved visual function after taking a beta carotene supplement for 90 days. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/204979.php

Learn more about other natural therapies for retinitis pigmentosa at our website.

For further information on how the nutrients in food can help eye health and overall health, check out this page.

Image via womenshealth.gov

A proper diet is essential to maintaining eye health.  We know that the diets of the majority of Americans do not meet FDA nutritional guidelines and that many people do not eat an adequate amount of vegetable.

A study published in Nutrition Journal shows that 8 to 16 ounces of vegetable juice per day can reduce blood pressure in people who have hypertension. Source: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/38

We consider daily juicing of primarily organic vegetables and fruits to be an essential part of any long term healing program. Juicing provides a highly effective and efficient way for the body to be able to absorb essential nutrients into the blood and cells, taking a little as a few minutes for the body to start utilizing these nutrients.  Learn more about how you can make daily juice intake part of your life and increase your overall health.  Also, have a look at some specific juicing recipes for eye conditions and diseases.

image courtesy of fas.usda.gov

It’s common to hear that you should get plenty of vitamin C if you are fighting a cold, but have you heard that you should increase your vitamin C intake to ward off glaucoma?

In parts of Europe and Asia, vitamin C is considered part of routine treatment for glaucoma. It lowers eye pressure by both decreasing fluid production in the eye and improving the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. It also improves collagen metabolism which may be one of the underlying reasons for the development of glaucoma.

In addition to eating your citrus fruits, also add red peppers and tomatoes to your diet.

Click here for more tips on how to prevent glaucoma naturally.

For more research on glaucoma prevention and treatment, visit our website.

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.

Image courtesy of oregon.gov

Here’s another study to strengthen the case against smoking.

Contact lens wearers and non-contact lens wearers were exposed to 2+ hours of simulated cigarette smoke.  The Japanese researchers measured a number of reactions including tear evaporation rates and tear film break-up time.

While the contact wearers and non-contact wearers were affected different by the smoke, the study’s authors concluded that “Even brief passive exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with adverse effects on the ocular surface as evidenced by an increase in tear instability and damage to the ocular surface epithelia [tissue]” in both groups.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20351603

“Avoid cigarette smoke” is one of the points on our eye disease prevention protocol.

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.