Dr. Grossman’s Blog

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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.

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.

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.

Image courtesy of Microsoft

An egg a day can protect people over age 60 from developing macular degeneration.  A study published in the Journal of Nutrition the levels of powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin in participants’ blood increased between 26 and 38% if they ate one egg per day.

The single egg did not contribute to participants’ cholesterol levels.

Studies have proven that low eye levels of antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, could contribute to Aged-Related Macular Degeneration.

Find more research abstracts on macular degeneration on our website.

Scientists at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research have found that the regular consumption of specific “protective nutrients” in conjunction with  a low-glycemic-index, or “slow carb,” diet protected study participants from age-related macular degeneration. A food’s glycemic index is an indicator of how fast the carbohydrate it contains will spike blood sugar levels.

Vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA taken as part of a diet rich in low-glycemic-index foods reduced the risk of developing AMD.

Source: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100701.htm

For more ways to eat your way to healthier vision, please click here.

We all grew up hearing that carrots were good for our eyes.  It’s the beta-carotene in carrots that helps your vision and it can also be found in spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, and mangoes.  The body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A which in turn protects the retina and lens from free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause cell damage.  Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin also contribute to eye health and those can be found in green leafy vegetables, corn, and eggs.

Learn more about foods that prevent eye diseases at NaturalEyeCare.com‘s nutrition pages.

Study shows supplementing with zeaxanthin (a carotenoid in the lutein family) can raises macula pigment optical density (MP) and has unique visual benefits for patients with atrophic early AMD having visual symptoms.

Zeaxanthin can be found in dark, leafy greens (like turnip greens, collard greens, kale, spinach and romaine lettuce). Orange peppers are the highest source of zeaxanthin.

The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study in Atrophic Age Related Macular Degeneration (ZVF-FDA IND #78,973) – MP and Foveal Shape Discrimination: S.P. Richer1, W. Stiles1, M. Lavin, K. Graham1, C. Thomas1, D. Park3. J. Nyland1, J Wrobel

For more related studies, click on the “Research” link at www.naturaleyecare.com

Many research studies show the value of supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin in helping to preserve vision for those with macular degeneration. Additional studies show mesozeaxanthin (a member of the lutein family), as an essential nutrient for helping preserve vision for those with macular degeneration, used in the eyes as an antioxidant in the center of the macular where our detailed vision comes from.

The referenced study is one of 3 completed to date demonstrating the value of supplementing with this mesozeaxanthin.

Nutrition & Metabolism 2007, 4:12doi:10.1186/1743-7075-4-12

For more information on related research, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=8&disease=Macular+Degeneration

A new study, known as Meso-zeaxanthin ocular supplementation trial (MOST), begins in late March 2010 and the clinical research team are currently recruiting suitable candidates. The specialists involved in the trial are research experts in this area of eye disease. The trial requires 60 patients who have been diagnosed with early AMD. After a complimentary eye screening by an IVR Ophthalmologist, suitable candidates will be enrolled into the trial and provided with a 12-month course of dietary supplements containing the macular pigments.

For further information on AMD or on the MOST trial being conducted at the Institute of Vision Research, please contact: Eithne Connolly, Clinical Research Technician, on 051 302153 or at eithneativr.ie

Editor’s Note: Recent studies have shown that mesozeaxanthin is another carotenoid in the family of lutein and zeaxanthin essential for macular degeneration, and is used as an antioxidant directly in the center of the retina. Hopefully this study will further confirm that this nutrient along with a family of other essential nutrients helps preserve vision for those with macular degeneration. For more related studies, Click Here

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids used in the retina and lens of the eyes. These are antioxidants that color yellow and leafy dark green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and carrots. Researchers believe that this pair of antioxidants may help build and maintain the pigment layer of the retina. Another theory is that they help filter out blue light, protecting the eye from sunlight damage.

Studies have shown that these antioxidants can help us preserve healthy vision, and significantly reduce the risk of onset of macular degeneration and cataracts.

References:

Women’s Health Study. Archives of Ophthalmology (Arch. Ophthalmol. 2008;126:102-9)

Moeller SM et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS). Archives of Ophthalmology 124:1151-1162, 2006.

Editor’s Note: For more related studies, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/studylist.asp