An observational 10-year study of more than 35,000 middle-aged U.S. women observed the women’s use of dietary supplements and occurrence of cataracts.*

The study found significant evidence that women who got more lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were less likely to develop cataracts than women who are lacking intake of these nutrients. In fact, the women who got the most lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were 18% less likely to get cataracts.

*Christen, W. Archives of Ophthalmology, January 2008; vol 126: pp 102-109

For more related information, go to Natural Eye Care for Cataracts

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Avocados contain a wide range of phytonutrients, which are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases, and are excellent for the eye health. Nutrients include trans neoxanthin, neochrome, lutein-5, 6-epoxide and chrysanthemaxanthin. The scientists also confirmed the presence of lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, a-carotene and b-carotene (all nutrients that support retinal health).

Since most of the nutrients are located near the skin of the fruit, you get most nutrients out of an avocado by peeling the fruit before slicing it.
See more information on foods for the eyes.

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As preterm births are on the rise worldwide, there is powerful new evidence supporting the claim that sufficient vitamin D levels can reduce your risk of having apremature delivery. It can also help protect your newborn baby from other health problems.

In what is considered the first scientific trial that meets the most stringent criteria for “evidence-based inquiry,” US researchers Drs. Hollis and Wagner divulged their findings at a recent international vitamin D research conference in Brugge, Belgium.

Their findings included:

• Mothers who took 4,000 IU’s (ten times the RDA of 400 IU) of vitamin D during pregnancy had their risk of premature birth reduced by half
• Premature babies born to women taking high doses of vitamin D were reduced by half at both 32 and 37 weeks, and
• There were also fewer babies who were born “small for dates”
• Women taking high doses of vitamin D had a 25 per cent reduction in infections, particularly respiratory infections such as colds and flu as well as fewer infections of the vagina and the gums
• The “core morbidities of pregnancy” were reduced by 30 per cent in the women who took the high-dose vitamin D (including diabetes, high blood pressure, and pre-eclampsia – a potentially deadly increase in blood pressure and
  fluid)
• Babies getting the highest amounts of vitamin D after birth had fewer colds and less eczema

Reported by www.naturaleyecare.com

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Study shows that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 rich fish could slash the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 40 per cent.

This study adds further support for increasing the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids with the finding that arachidonic acid (AA, omega-6 fatty acid) is associated with anincreased risk of AMD.

Ref: “Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994″

Authors: N. Parekh, R.J. Chappell, A.E. Millen, D.M. Albert, J.A. Mares

Archives of Ophthalmology

May 125, 2007 Volume 125, Pages 671-679

See more related information on macular degeneration.

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In a new study, it was found that women with breast cancer should be given high doses of vitamin D because a majority of them are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health, and women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

Weekly supplementation with high doses of vitamin D — 50,000 international units or more improved the levels, according to Peppone’s study.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine suggests that blood levels nearing 32 nanograms per milliliter are adequate.

Reported from www.naturaleyecare.com

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Vitamin B supplementation may help reduce Tinnitus is characterized as chronic ringing, roaring, buzzing, humming, chirping, or hissing in the ears in the absence of environmental noise. These vitamins include a B-Complex, which help stabilize nerves.

There may also be some correlation between the decline in vitamin B12 levels and the increasing
prevalence of tinnitus in the elderly. A study by Shemesh et al. (1993) showed that there was a high
prevalence (47%) of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with chronic tinnitus. This deficiency was more
widespread and severe in the tinnitus group that was associated with noise exposure, suggesting a
relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and dysfunction of the auditory pathway. Supplemental
cobalamin was found to provide some relief in several patients with severe tinnitus.

Acupuncture can also be very helpful in alleviating Tinnitus.

From www.naturaleyecare.com

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A new study suggests that drinking green tea may lower the risk of developing certain blood cancers.

Researchers in Japan studied 41,761 adults aged 40 to 79 without a history of cancer. After answering a food frequency questionnaire, participants were followed for 9 years. During this time 157 blood, bone marrow, and lymph system cancers developed in the study group.

Researchers found that the overall risk for blood cancers was 42% lower among study participants who drank 5 or more (versus 1 or fewer) cups of green tea daily. Drinking 5 or more cups of green tea daily was also associated with a 48% lower risk for lymph system cancers.

The results, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, show that these associations held up in even when allowances were made for age, gender, education, smoking status and history, alcohol use, and fish and soybean consumption.

SOURCE: Green tea consumption and hematologic malignancies in Japan: the Ohsaki study, Naganuma, et al, Am J Epidemiol 2009,Sep,15;170(6):730-8; (PMID: 19640889)

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Research study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found a protective effect for the B vitamin folate against the development of hearing loss in older men. This study analyzed 3,559 men over 60 who developed hearing loss.

The men with a higher intake of folate from food and supplements was among the highest 20 percent of participants
had a 21 percent reduction in the risk of developing hearing loss compared with those in the lowest
fifth.

See more information on nutrients and diet for vision preservation.

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Eating lots of whole grains could ward off high blood pressure, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In the study, men with the highest whole-grain consumption were 19 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than men who ate the least amount of whole grains.

While refining grains removes their outer coating, whole grains retain their bran and germ, so they are richer in many nutrients, Dr. Alan J. Flint of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and his colleagues note in their report.

The most recent US guidelines recommend that people get at least 3 ounces, or 85 grams, of whole grains daily, and that they consume at least half of their grains as whole grains.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2009

For more on healthy diets and natural vision improvement, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) has published a list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Topping the list:  leafy greens, eggs, and tuna.  These and seven other foods account for nearly 40% of all food-borne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated food.

Over 1,500 separate, definable outbreaks were associated with the top 10 riskiest FDA-regulated foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses. Since most food-borne illnesses are never reported, these numbers may be significantly higher.

The ten foods named in this study are:

• Leafy greens, including iceberg lettuce, romaine and spinach
• Eggs
• Tuna
• Oysters
• Potatoes
• Cheese
• Ice Cream
• Tomatoes
• Sprouts
• Berries

CPSI study authors say there is no reason to avoid these foods, but notes that the following passage of the Food Safety Enhancement Act by the House of Representatives in July, similar legislation is pending in the Senate to provide the FDA with enhanced authority to better protect consumers.

Meanwhile, consumers can protect themselves by washing produce thoroughly and following safe food handling procedures, such as those listed on the USDA web site:  www.BeFoodSafe.gov

SOURCE:  Leafy Greens, Eggs, & Tuna Top List of Riskiest FDA-Regulated Foods, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Oct. 6, 2009, http://www.cspinet.org/new/200910061.html

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