Osteoporosis (loss of calcium in bones) affects 44 million men and women in the United States today, resulting in 1.5 million fractures each year. Approximately one-quarter of those people who have hip fractures due to the disorder die within a year after the break due to complications, including not being able to move around very well.

The causes of osteoporosis for women is often due to estrogen deficiency during and after menopause. Caucasians and Asians also are at higher risk for the disorders than African-Americans. Other risk factors include low body weight, previous fractures and taking high-risk medications such as chemotherapy or steroid treatments which can deteriorate bone.

Things that can be done to help prevent bone loss include:

1) Daily weight bearing exercise

2) Eat a healthy diet (avoid carbonated drinks which can reduce calcium in the body).

3) Avoid bad habits such as smoking or excessive drinking

4) Supplement with a good calcium supplement which includes cofactors such as vitamin D3, Boron, Vitamin K1, Magnesium, and Phosphorus.

4) Supplement with at least 1,000 mg per day of Vitamin D3.

For more information on diet, nutrition and lifestyle related to Osteoporosis, 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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Results from a new clinical trial suggest that lutein and vitamin A supplements helps preserve mid-peripheral vision in RP.

The researchers conclude that their data support the use of 12 mg/d of lutein to slow visual field loss among nonsmoking adults with retinitis pigmentosa taking vitamin A.

Based on the randomized comparison, the authors estimate that the benefit in preserving mid-peripheral field sensitivity would be an additional 3 years. Based on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) observational results, they estimate that the benefit would be 10 additional years.

Berson EL, et al. Clinical trial of lutein in patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A. Arch Ophthalmol 128:403-11, 2010.

For more related studies on RP and nutrition, Click Here

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The common preservatives Benzalkonium Chloride (BAK) can increase the eye surface irritation and disease.  Those who suffer from moderate to severe dry-eye and who use artificial tears frequently (4 times a day or more) should avoid tear solutions containing (BAK) preserved artificial tears (http://www.agingeye.net/dryeyes/dryeyesdrugtreatment.php).
A Canadian study has shown that eye drops without preservatives can enhance corneal healing and improve dry eye problems. (Laflamme, M.Y., and Swieca, R. A comparative study of two preservative-free tear substitutes in the management of severe dry eye. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 23 (1988): 174-76.)

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Computer Eye Strain is one of the major complaints heard by eye doctors from their patients.

Symptoms can include increased myopia, blurred vision, headaches, slow refocusing, difficulty concentrating, neck, shoulder and back pain

Eye strain can be reduced significantly by taking regular breaks from the computer, resting your eyes, stretching and doing eye exercises.

For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country’s leading behavioral optometrists, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0

For more related information, go to Natural Eye Care for Computer Eye Strain

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Findings reported in article published online on May 6, 2010 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (see link below) suggest that vinpocetine, a derivative of vincamine (from the periwinkle plant), could be useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, infectious diseases and cancer.

Based on and other relate studies, vinpocetine may be helpful as well for eye inflammatory problems such as macular edema and diabetic retinopathy. For more related information, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

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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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The Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less, according to a new study by the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Hannan, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, recommends that older women consume at least 46 grams of protein per day, and that older men consume at least 56 grams of protein daily. This can come from both animal sources (meal, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt) and plants (legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables).

For more information in diet and osteoporisis, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=44

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Study indicates pre-treatment with curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, makes ovarian cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This can also result in being able to lower the dose of cisplatin and radiation treatment needed to suppress the growth of the cancer cells.

Subhash Chauhan, PhD, and Meena Jaggi, PhD, led a team of researchers from Sanford Research and the University of South Dakota, USA, who carried out the in vitro study.

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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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