Pumpkin seed oil is rich in zeaxanthin, which protects the retina and slow the progress of macular degeneration. In 2003, the Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton in England announced that zeaxanthin “may be far more important in preventing or stabilizing macular degeneration than previously realized.” For more on zeaxanthin, visit our website.

Another benefit of pumpkin seed oil?  Used in combination with saw palmetto it can reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).   Researchers have suggested the zinc, free fatty acid, or plant sterol content of pumpkin seeds may account for their benefit in men with BPH, but this has not been confirmed. For more on BPH and prostate health, please click here.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5106341_health-benefits-pumpkin-seed-oil.html#ixzz0s6uN19rb

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New study published online and in the August print issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, found that smoking and cholesterol levels affect the risk for early-stage age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Editor’s Note: For information on nutrition, diet and macular degeneration, Click Here

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Controlled trials have shown that extracts of Ginkgo Biloba can significantly improve visual acuity in Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) patients within six months of use. Both animal and human studies have revealed that Ginkgo extract can help to prevent retinal detachment, while increasing antioxidant activity in patients’ blood, tears and plasma*.

Editor’s Note: Gingko biloba has many potential benefits as a powerful antioxidant, and its effects on improving circulation and even brain function.

*For the gingko biloba study references and for more related studies on nutrition and macular degeneration, Click Here

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New study shows that the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration my be connected to ongoing damage to mitochondia in the retinal cells.

Ref:  www.iovs.org/cgi/content/abstract/iovs.10-5429v1

Editor’s Note: Mitochondria are often called the “powerhouse of the cell” because they produce ATP (energy) from sugar and other organic molecules. Without this energy production within our cells, they (and we) would perish.

This study further underscores the importance of having a healthy diet, exercising and taking targeted supplements that nourish the retinal cells. Nutrients such as CoQ10 may help as well as it helps increase mitochondrial activity (energy production) in the cells. Supporting nutrients for CoQ10 include n-acetyl-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid.

For more information in nutrition and macular degeneration, Click Here

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Lutein and Zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants used both in the retina and lens of the eyes. They help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, and also act as filters for our eyes helping to protect them against sun damage (they filter out blue light from the sun).

Zeaxanthin predominates at the macula lutea (an oval-shaped highly pigmented yellow spot near the center of the retina) while lutein predominates elsewhere in the retina.

Just supplementing for example with 6 mg of lutein per day can reduce the likelihood of onset of macular degeneration by 57%, as reported in one study done by Dr. Johanna Seddon. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are essential nutrients in helping protect vision as well for those with macular degeneration.

A 2007 study showed that women who got the most lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E were 18% less likely to get cataracts. Archives of Ophthalmology (Arch. Ophthalmol. 2008;126:102-9) gathered from the Women’s Health Study.

Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally-occurring carotenoids. Rich food sources of zeaxanthin and lutein include dark, leafy greens (like turnip greens, collard greens, kale, spinach and romaine lettuce), as well as broccoli, corn, Brussels sprouts, zucchini and peas. Orange peppers contain the highest amounts of zeaxanthin. Eggs are a good source of lutein as well.

For more related information, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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New study shows that cholesterol biosynthesis could be involved in age-related macular degeneration, and supports data from other studies that have indicated a role for cholesterol in the pathology that leads to a major cause of visual impairment.

Until more is known, people should strive to live a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Seddon (lead researcher) said. “People should lower their total cholesterol because we know that higher cholesterol is related to increased AMD risk, refrain from smoking, and eat healthy foods, such as dark leafy vegetables, spinach, collard greens, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Ref: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2010 Annual Meeting: Abstract 2475. Presented May 4, 2010.

For more related information, go to Click Here

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Red grapes and dark chocolate join blueberries, garlic, soy, and teas as ingredients that starve cancer while feeding bodies, Angiogenesis Foundation head William Li said at a prestigious TED Conference.

The Massachusetts-based foundation is identifying foods containing chemicals that evidently choke-off blood supplies to tumors, starving them to death.

Editor’s Note: A growing body of research is showing antioxidants in red wine and dark chocolate help prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. For more related research, Click Here

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In this study, subjects with high levels of plasma zeaxanthin had a 93% reduced risk of AMD. Globally, subjects with high total plasma lutein and zeaxanthin had a 79% reduced risks of AMD compared with subjects with low total plasma lutein and zeaxanthin.

Ref: IOVS, June 2006, Vol. 47, No. 6

Zeaxanthin is a yellow phytonutrient pigment located in many fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, goji berry, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, kiwifruit, and Brussel sprouts.

For more information on related research studies and macular degeneration, Click Here

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Study shows that low levels of vitamin D3 is linked to an increase in the prevalence of macular degeneration.

Ref: Parekh N, Chappell RJ, Millen AE, Albert DM, Mares JA. Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994. Arch Ophthalmol. May 2007;125: 661-669.

Editor’s Note: Vitamin D3 is one of the super nutrients that should be part of everyone’s diet, and should be added as a supplement particularly for people who do not get much exposure daily to the sun. Numerous studies have shown Vitamin D3 as helping prevent cancer, improve immune function and bone health, regulate insulin and blood pressure, and more.

For more information on nutrition and macular degeneration, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/macular_degen_short.asp?d_num=8

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Controlled trials have shown that extracts of Ginkgo Biloba can significantly improve visual acuity in ARMD patients within six months of use.* And both animal and human studies have revealed that Ginkgo extract can help to prevent retinal detachment, while increasing antioxidant activity in patients’ blood, tears and plasma.**

* Fies P, Dienel A. [Ginkgo extract in impaired vision--treatment with special extract EGb 761 of impaired vision due to dry senile macular degeneration] [Article in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):423-6.

** Karazhaeva MI, Saksonova EO, Klebanov GI, Liubitskii OB, Gur’eva NV. [The use of flavonoid antioxidants in the complex treatment of patients with peripheral vitreo-chorioretinal dystrophies and dystrophic retinal detachment] [Article in Russian]. Vestn Oftalmol. 2004 Jul-Aug;120(4):14-8.

** Baudouin C, Ettaiche M, Imbert F, Droy-Lefaix MT, Gastaud P, Lapalus P. Inhibition of preretinal proliferation by free radical scavengers in an experimental model of tractional retinal detachment. Exp Eye Res. 1994Dec;59(6):697-706.

Editor’s Note: For more related information and studies, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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