December, 2008
Laser therapy improves vision in patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) improves vision in patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration
Researchers at University of Heidelberg, Germany have conducted a clinical trial on 203 patients with AMD (age-related macular degeneration) and improved visual acuity for between 3 and 36 months.
The prevalence of metamorphopsia, scotoma, and dyschromatopsia was reduced. In patients with wet AMD, edema and bleeding improved. The improved vision was maintained for 3-36 mo after treatment. Visual acuity in the control group remained unchanged. No adverse effects were observed in those undergoing therapy.
Conclusion: In patients with AMD, LLLT significantly improved visual acuity without adverse side effects and may thus help to prevent loss of vision.
Photomed Laser Surg 2008 Jun 26(3) 241-5
Editor's Note: For nutritional recommendations for macular degeneration go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=8
Simple Home Remedies for Blepharitis (Inflammation of the Eyelids)
Dr. Grossman home remedies to help Blepharitis:
- Caster oil: (fresh and from the health food store) - place a small bit on a q-tip and apply
to the inner lower lid margin.
- Honey: same application as with caster oil. Thin with spring water to reduce stinging. This can be done while doing the Sunning eye exercises (see "free eye exercise booklet" on homepage at http://www.naturaleyecare.com/eye-sample.asp) as it helps to
bring on tearing. Honey is antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antiviral.
- Salt and baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon of salt + 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 cup
of warm water. Dip finger in the mixture and rub on eye lid margins with eyes closed.
Once in the morning and once at night before bed.
Editor's Note: Using our EyeEase formula used both internally and as an eye compress (follow compress instructions on the website) can
be very helpful in managing active Blepharitis. For more information, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1511
Brain reorganizes to adjust for loss of vision
A new study from Georgia Tech shows that when patients with macular degeneration focus on using another part of their retina to compensate for their loss of central vision, their brain seems to compensate by reorganizing its neural connections. Age–related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The study appears in the December edition of the journal Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.
http://www.physorg.com/news146409395.html
Two new articles confirm numerous cardiovascular benefits for grape polyphenols
A review published in the November issue of Nutrition Research and an article published in the October, 2008 Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences report positive findings for grapes and grape polyphenols in reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols, including resveratrol, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, are antioxidant compounds that occur in grapes and other plant foods, which are believed to be responsible for many of the health-promoting effects associated with these foods.
References: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02715317 - Nutrition Research
http://biomed.gerontologyjournals.org/ - Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences
Editor's Note: Studies have shown that grapeseed extract can help strengthen blood vessel walls and capillaries. It supports a better circulation by preventing stress-induced constriction of arteries and blood clotting. Supplementing with grapeseed extract or pygnogenol (extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine tree) may be helpful for eye conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, general blood vessel leakage in the retina.
Editor's Note2: For an excellent grapeseed extract, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1526
Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment As Much As Conventional Drug Therapy
from American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating (vasomotor symptoms) associated with breast cancer treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind study presented September 24, 2008, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston.
Findings also show there were additional benefits to acupuncture treatment for breast cancer patients, such as an increased sense of well being, more energy, and in some cases, a higher sex drive, that were not experienced in those patients who underwent drug treatment for their hot flashes.
Vitamin D protective against variety of breast cancers
The October 15, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology reported the outcome of a study conducted by researchers at Mt Sinai Hospital in Toronto which found a protective effect of vitamin D from sunlight and diet against estrogen and progesterone receptor positive or negative breast cancers.
Increased vitamin intake from both sun exposure and diet was associated with a significantly reduced risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor positive breast cancer. Women whose tumors were estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative, or estrogen and progesterone receptor negative had comparable associations, although the results were not considered significant in all areas evaluated. Vitamin D supplement use in adolescence and early adulthood was associated with a decreased risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor positive tumors.
"The results suggest that vitamin D intake early in life influences breast cancer risk regardless of estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status," the authors conclude. "Although significant estimates were most consistently found for women with receptor-positive cancers, the largest subgroup, similar nonsignificant and significant associations were at times observed for receptor-negative and mixed tumors. Future studies with a larger number of receptor-negative and mixed tumors are required."
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/
Reduced serum zinc levels predict death in patients at risk of cardiovascular events
Research published online on October 24, 2008 in the British Journal of Nutrition revealed a correlation between insufficient zinc levels and a higher risk of death among patients referred for coronary angiography. To the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to examine the relationship between zinc and mortality in men and women at an intermediate to high risk for future cardiovascular events.
Oxidative stress, immune dysfunction and inflammatory processes are among the mechanisms proposed by the authors to explain the effects observed in the current study. While these mechanisms have been associated with zinc deficiency as well as age-related degenerative diseases such as infections and atherosclerosis, supplementation with zinc has been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers while lowering the incidence of infections. Zinc’s positive role in cardiovascular disease may be due to its antioxidant effects on endothelial cells which could help prevent early atherosclerotic lesion formation, although the mineral may be more important in early rather than late phases of the disease.
“The present results show that low serum zinc concentrations predict mortality in patients scheduled for coronary angiography and thus support considerations for supplementation of zinc plus other micronutrients in aging individuals with a deficiency for this essential trace element,” the authors conclude.
Editor's Note: Zinc is essential to eye health, and helps protect against vision loss for such eye diseases as macular degeneration. For related studies, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=8&disease=Macular+Degeneration
Vitamin C supplementation lowers C-reactive protein levels
An article scheduled to appear in the January 1, 2008 issue of Free Radical Biology and Medicine reports the finding of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley that supplementing with vitamin C reduces C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/08915849
Lasagna with Chevre, Arugula, and Crimini Mushrooms
Lasagna is very versatile. In this version, chèvre stands in for the more commonly used ricotta cheese, and goat cheddar subs for mozzarella. Other cheeses that melt well, such as goat Gouda, French petite Basque or Spanish Manchego, are good choices, too.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
1 pint 2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 pound 8 ounces lasagna noodles (rice or whole wheat)
6-ounce log chèvre (plain or basil) (soft goat cheese)
1 cup coarsely chopped crimini mushrooms
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped arugula
2 cups grated goat cheddar
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of 8-inch square baking dish.
(You can use one of the lasagna noodles to do the spreading.) Place 3 of the noodles over the sauce.
- Spread the chèvre on top of the noodles, top with 3 more noodles, and cover with mushrooms and arugula.
- Place the last 3 noodles over the mushrooms and arugula, and press down gently. Top with
the remaining sauce and grated cheese.
- Cover with foil or a cookie sheet, and bake for 45 minutes, or until the noodles
are soft and the lasagna is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes to set. Cut into squares and serve.
Health and Peace
Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac.
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
visionworksusa@earthlink.net
www.naturaleyecare.com
(845) 255-8222
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