This was a retrospective study that involved 39,876 female health care workers completing food frequency questionnaires. At the beginning of the study, none of them had ARMD. 265 developed age-related macular degeneration by the end of the ten-year study. Few regular fish eaters developed the disease, but the ladies who skimped on fish were significantly more likely to get AMD.

The Harvard researchers deduced that regular consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and fish was associated with fewer cases AMD, and may be beneficial in preventing AMD.

As many as 9 million adults over age 40 in the United States show signs of ARMD. This disease can lead to severe vision loss. Peripheral vision is unaffected by ARMD. The cells in the macula, at the center of the eye, deteriorate. This makes it difficult to read, write, drive, and recognize faces.

The disease progresses over time, and most treatments apply only to late stage or intermediate age-related macular degeneration. There are few medically recognized ways to prevent the disease except to avoid smoking. Therefore, preventing AMD is an important public health concern.

It is theorized that AMD and cardiovascular disease (CV disease, or heart disease) have similar mechanisms and risk factors. If this is true, then some of the existing research into preventing cardiovascular disease may apply to preventing AMD. Epidemiological studies have linked fish and omega-3 fatty acids with lowered rates cardiovascular events. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-atherosclerotic, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects on the vasculature and help choroidal blood flow in the eye.

Editor’s note: Nutrition is clearly a factor in the development of AMD; therefore, dietary supplementation may also mitigate AMD. Read our recommendations for macular degeneration.

Source: Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Fish Intake and Incident Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women by William G. Christen, ScD; Debra A. Schaumberg, ScD; Robert J. Glynn, ScD; Julie E. Buring, ScD. Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(7):921-929. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.34

Sjogren’s syndrome comes in two forms. Primary Sjogren’s syndrome is a disease in its own right. Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome  is associated with diseases of the connective tissues such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, etc. Sjogren’s syndrome results in dry mouth, eyes and other areas of the body.

The vast majority of Sjogren’s syndrome sufferers are female – – 90%. Its cause is unknown, but there may be inherited factors. Most of the research focuses on genetics, gene therapy and immunity therapy.

Conventional treatment includes a medication called Restasis which relieves dry eyes but may have side effects such as pneumonia. Treatment for a dry mouth may include pilocarpine and cevimeline. Prednisone is sometimes prescribed as an anti-inflammatory, and autoimmune suppressants may also be prescribed.

Natural options for dealing with dry eyes associated Sjogren’s syndrome may include essential fatty acids (an antioxidant), green tea, homeopathic eye drops for dry eyes, drinking plenty of water, and using a humidifier to add moisture to bedroom air. MSM eye drops have also been useful, as well as other supplements designed to help the eyes.

A small study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology showed a 68% decrease in dry eye symptoms in early syndrome patients who took essential fatty acids for eight weeks. A study in Autoimmunity looked at the effect of a component of green tea (EGCG) and discovered that this compound reduced the impact of Sjogren’s syndrome in mice.

A young woman with Sjogren’s syndrome found relief with MSM eye drops from NaturalEyeCare.com. These MSM drops soften eye tissues, equalize pressure, repair damaged membranes, and help enable tissues to absorb nutrients for better vision. Click to read her testimonial.  MSM eye drops are helpful for many types of dry eyes.

Another Sjogren’s syndrome sufferer said, “The eyedrops and supplements that you recommended for my Sjogren’s Syndrome are working wonderfully. My eyes feel awesome since beginning the regimen.” She took Oasis Tears, BioTears Gel Caps, VisionTone Formula, MSM Capsules, and Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula.

A complete list of suggestions for Sjogren’s syndrome can be found on Natural Eye Care’s Sjogren’s syndrome page.

Sources: 

Oxholm P, Manthorpe R, Prause JU, Horrobin D:Patients with Primary Sjogrn’s Syndrome Treated for 2 Months With Evening Primrose Oil. Scand J Rheumatology 1986; 15:103-108.
March, 2007, Autoimmunity, Medical College of Georgia researchers Stephen Hsu, et al.

• Animals who received no lutein  in their diets showed early degenerative signs in the retina.
• Macular pigment is important: patients with macular telangiectasia have serious difficulty seeing.
• The role of lutein in reducing the risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the subject of much of much scientific eye research.
• Lutein may cut the risk of cataract formation.

Research is showing that certain eye conditions that are believed to be caused by, or aggravated by, inflammation can be helped with lutein. These eye conditions include reperfusion  (Tso and Lam, 1996), endotoxin induced uveitis, streptozotocin induced diabetes and laser induced choroidal neovascularization.

Interestingly, age-related macular degeneration includes a chronic low-grade inflammatory response throughout the body. Scientists are looking into the possibility that lutein may help AMD by reducing inflammation throughout the body, not just the eye. Therefore, rather than focusing on lutein’s precise effect on the eye, scientists may put more attention on lutein’s systemic anti-inflammatory effects.

In Latin, “lutein” means yellow.” It is the yellow pigment in the macula that controls central vision. Its ability to absorb blue light protect the eye from damage due to blue and near-ultra-violet light. Lutein protects the eye from many eye diseases and vision conditions. It also protects the rods and cones of the madula from UV light, which would cause free radical damage.

Plants make lutein naturally, and it is plentiful in leafy greens, as well as in foods that are yellow in color (corn, eggs, etc.). Marigold flower petals are a highly potent source of lutein, and that is what we use in NaturalEyeCare’s lutein formulation.

Study: “Lutein: More than just a filter for blue light” by Kijlstra A, Tian Y, Kelly ER, Berendschot TT. University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012 Mar 21.

Magnesium is an important nutrient for proper brain functioning. Recent research has showed that magnesium specifically promotes memory and learning due to its beneficial effect on synaptic plasticity and density. Calcium and magnesium work together.

Magnesium deficiency is widespread throughout the world, even in industrialized countries. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include apathy, psychosis, memory impairment, and more. In its initial stages, magnesium deficiency may produce no obvious symptoms. The body has difficulty maintaining high enough levels of magnesium in the brain.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently formulated magnesium-L-threonate — MgT – that can be taken orally. MgT maximizes magnesium “loading” into the brain. Their past research found that increased magnesium levels in the brain promote synaptic density and plasticity in the hippocampus. MgT is the first widely available type of magnesium that can be absorbed rapidly and transfer efficiently into the central nervous system.

The results of their research showed that MgT taken by mouth increased magnesium levels in spinal fluid, and increased brain magnesium by about 15%. Other types of magnesium that they tested did not result in significant elevations of the mineral. Even though 15% may seem like a small effect, the effect on neurological functioning was profound.

They tested older animals using the Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT), which measures how well an animal can identify and recognize new objects. Compared to animals given magnesium citrate, the MgT animals had a 15% higher score for short-term memory, and a 54% higher score for long-term memory.

The researchers wondered, “Do those changes lead to an increase in the number of neurotransmitter release sites, and, subsequently, to enhanced signal transmission?” They used microscopic measuring devices and found this was true. They also found that increased density of synaptic connections directly correlated with the improvements in memory due to MgT supplementation. When the MgT was stopped, the density of synaptic connections went down again.

This Alzheimer’s research shows that nutrition and supplementation can have a significant impact on brain-damaging diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and that the form of a supplement is important. Additionally, even though MgT increased magnesium in the brain by only 15%, it has a significant effect on neurological functioning. Clinical trials are needed to determine MgT’s value for preventing and mitigating Alzheimer’s disease and effective dosage for humans.

Source: LifeExtension
Study: Enhancement of Learning and Memory by Elevating Brain Magnesium by Slutsky I, Abumaria N, Wu LJ, et al. Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):165-77.

Alpha lipoic acid is present in every cell in the human body. It converts glucose into energy.

Lipoic acid is a fatty acid that is in most foods, but only in very tiny amounts. Certain organ meats, broccoli, yeast extract and spinach have slightly higher quantities of lipoic acid, but not a significant amount. Lipoic acid found in foods is not readily usable by the body.

All lipoic acid supplements are synthesized chemically. The R/S-LA and RLA forms of lipoic acid are popular nutritional supplements in the United States. They come in tablets, capsules and liquids. No Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of lipoic acid has been established, because it is not an essential nutrient.

An antioxodant, lipoic acid functions in both water and fat. It is used for peripheral neuropathy, improving brain functioning, and age-related conditions caused by free radicals. It is so believed to be helpful for multiple sclerosis, burning mouth syndrome, cataracts,  Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, but well-designed studies are needed to test these theories.

Glaucoma causes “tunnel vision” (see image above) and Natural Eye care has a list of supplements that may help with Glaucoma. Glaucoma symptoms are often not noticed until peripheral vision is lost gradually, over time. Glaucoma involves damage to the optic nerve. This is sometimes caused by an increase in pressure of the aqueous humor (the fluid inside the eye). The disease known as glaucoma is actually several diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve. The diagnosis is no longer solely based on  Intraocular Pressure (IOL) being elevated (this is the puff of air the optometrist applies to your eyes during a routine eye exam).

Interestingly, alpha lipoic acid had a better effect on people with more  advanced cases of glaucoma versus their controls. According to the researchers, “The effect of lipoic acid may be explained by its antioxidant properties and direct influence on ocular tissue metabolism.”

Alpha Lipoic Acid: 100 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid: 50-60 mg 

Study: “Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma.” Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskiĭ SN, Shamshinova AM. Vestn Oftalmol. 1995 Oct-Dec;111(4):6-8.

Consult your doctor before taking supplements.

A study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that during a 50-minute cell phone call, the area of the brain near the antenna had increased brain glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism is an indicator of brain activity. The problem is that if cell phone radiation effects the levels of glucose in the brain, it might also be changing neurotransmitters and neurochemical activities. The researchers, including the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health, have preliminary indications of long-term effects. More research is needed to understand the impact of this finding on human health. (Source: “Effects of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Signal Exposure on Brain Glucose Metabolism” by Nora D. Volkow et al. JAMA. 2011;305(8):828-829)

Animal studies in Greece found that brain proteins were changed after being exposed to microwave radiation. The type of radiation studied is called RF electromagnetic fields, and is similar to the type of microwave radiation that comes from wireless computer equipment, WiFi networks, cellular telephones, and portable phones (wireless phones used at relatively short range).

At exposure levels below the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) safety guidelines, the parts of the brains used for learning and memory were altered by microwave radiation. These brain parts included the cerebellum, hippocampus, and frontal lobe. During eight months of the study, 143 brain proteins were changed. The research may indicate a relationship between the use of wireless electronics and electrosensitivity symptoms. The symptoms of electrosensitivity can include sleep disorders, headaches, dizziness, tumors, Alzheimer’s and metabolic effects. (Source: “Brain proteome response following whole body exposure of mice to mobile phone or wireless DECT base radiation” in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, Early Online: 1–25, 2012.)

A top journal, Nature Neuroscience, published a paper by neurobiologists at Caltech showing that very weak varying electric fields in brain tissue have a significant effect on the behavior of neurons. This research may change how scientists think about the brain, because, research Koch said, “So far, neural communication has been thought to occur almost entirely via traffic involving synapses, the junctions where one neuron connects to the next one. Our work suggests an additional means of neural communication through the extracellular space independent of synapses.” The researchers were surprised to discover that even very weak extracellular fields can change neural activity. This research suggests that our understanding of the subtle functioning of the brain is limited, and perhaps that the small electromagnetic fields that are dismissed as irrelevant may be found to have a significant impact on brain functioning. (Source: “Ephaptic coupling of cortical neurons” by Anastassiou CA et al. Nat Neurosci. 2011 Feb;14(2):217-23. Epub 2011 Jan 16.)

While more research is clearly needed, it is obvious that our knowledge of the effects of electronic devices on the body is limited. The head is a particularly “hot spot” because it houses the brain that controls all body functioning. Wireless electronic devices are convenient, but may come at a price. Learn more about electromagnetic (EMF) pollution.