October, 2008

• Antioxidant-Rich Diet May Protect Against Eye Disease
• More Support for Lutein & Zeaxanthin in AMD Risk Reduction
• October 7 Interview of Dr. Grossman hosted by Dr. Carol Robin
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Nutrient
• Vitamin B12 - Keeping Your Brain Healthy
• Black Raspberries Slow Cancer by Altering Hundreds of Genes
• Omega-3 & Lower Mortality Rates
• Hearty Vegetable Soup

Antioxidant-Rich Diet May Protect Against Eye Disease

FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Eating plenty of antioxidant-rich food such as blueberries, artichokes and pecans may help protect against macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness in the United States and other developed countries.

U.S. researchers found that antioxidants disrupt a link between two processes in the retina that, in combination, contribute to macular degeneration. Antioxidants also extend the lifetime of irreplaceable photoreceptors and other retinal cells.

The "destructive synergy" that causes macular degeneration occurs when a buildup of a compound called A2E disrupts energy production in mitochondria, the "power plants" in cells, the researchers said. The lack of energy interferes with daily cleaning and maintenance of photoreceptors and another type of retinal cell. This leads to more buildup of A2E and a continuing cycle that results in the destruction of the vital visual cells that can't be replaced.

Experiments using visual cells from humans, rats and cows showed that antioxidants could completely counter the damage caused by this process, said the researchers from Brigham Young University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

"The implication is that people at risk of macular degeneration could help prevent the disease by consuming antioxidants," study author Heidi Vollmer-Snarr, a Brigham Young chemist, said in a university news release.

The study was published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

"This work by Dr. Vollmer-Snarr and colleagues ties these two damaging processes together and demonstrates the harm they cause in combination is much more than would be expected," Dr. Paul Bernstein, of the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center, said in the news release. "This new knowledge," added Bernstein, who wasn't involved in the study, "suggests the possibility of interventions which could prove to be powerful ways to prevent or delay age-related macular degeneration."

Editor's Note: See Dr. Grossman's whole food eye formula full of antioxidants geared toward helping maintain a healthy retina. For more information, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1812

For Dr. Grossman's combination whole food eye formula and whole food multivitamin, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1840

More Support for Lutein & Zeaxanthin in AMD Risk Reduction

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids that concentrate in the macula. There is evidence of three mechanisms by which lutein and zeaxanthin may afford protection against AMD: by absorbing blue light, by quenching free radicals and by increasing membrane stability.

Many previously published studies which have examined the relationship between AMD and these carotenoids have reported an inverse association between the disease and intake of lutein plus zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are commonly obtained from leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, broccoli, peas, squash - as well as from supplements.

The authors of the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS) now report that a stable intake of these carotenoids over time could reduce the risk of AMD by about 43% in healthy women under 75.

Higher intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin (2, 868 mcg or more daily) compared to lower consumption (792 mcg daily) in women with stable intakes resulted in a substantial 43% lower risk of intermediate AMD (odds ratios [0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.95]). The younger women (< 75 years) did not have a history of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that are often associated with diet changes and instable intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin rich foods.

Similar protective associations were observed for large drusen. While not statistically significant, associations in this sub-sample were in the protective direction for the more advanced lesions of pigmentary abnormalities, as well as for the exploratory outcome, advanced AMD.

The researchers observed the strongest inverse associations between intermediate AMD and high intake of vegetables in general, as well as of green vegetables. Blood levels of the carotenoids were not associated with risk of AMD.

Reference:
Moeller SM et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS). Archives of Ophthalmology 124:1151-1162, 2006.
Editor's Note: This study supports a wide range of other research studies over the years showing the value of supplementing with specific nutrients for macular degeneration prevention, and that macular degeneration is a nutritionally responsive eye disease.
See Dr. Grossman's whole food eye formula full of antioxidants geared toward helping maintain a healthy retina. For more information, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1812
For Dr. Grossman's combination whole food eye formula and whole food multivitamin, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1840

October 7 Interview of Dr. Grossman hosted by Dr. Carol Robin

It's called Profound Paths to Health, Healing and Happiness, hosted by Dr. Carol Robin. Dr. Grossman has known Carol for 20 years, and I am looking forward to an inspiring conversation. Carol has been a holistic practitioner, healer and guided imagery expert for 30 years and has brought together an amazing line-up of speakers in the health and wellness field. Each week for 12 weeks she will have a one hour conversation with a different pioneer in health and wellness who will share wisdom, insights and techniques that will help you dramatically improve your life and integrate and balance body, heart, mind and spirit.

Carol will be interviewing him on Tuesday, Oct. 14th at 8pm EST. We would love to have you join them in this series featuring some of today’s top experts in health, healing, wellness and spirituality.

The 12 week series begins Tuesday, October 7, at 8pm EST and all you have to do to register is click on this link:

You will probably recognize many of these pioneers in health and wellness who will be speaking in this remarkable series:

• Emilie Conrad is the founder of Continuum movement and a visionary in movement education and healing, and author of the groundbreaking book “Life on Land.”
• Dr. Bernie Siegel changed the paradigm of mind-body medicine and living with cancer with his books “Love, Medicine & Miracles,” “Peace, Love & Healing,” “Prescriptions for Living” and many others. He has been helping people heal and empower themselves for over 30 years.
• Steven Halpern is an award-winning recording artist, composer, researcher and author who has pioneered the modern use of sound and music for health, well-being and inner peace.
• Dr. Susan Brown is a medical anthropologist, Certified Nutritionist and author of the bestselling book “Better Bones, Better Body, A Comprehensive Self-Help Program for Preventing, Halting and Overcoming Osteoporosis.”
• Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, CHN is board certified in Clinical Nutrition & Holistic Nutrition, the author of “Digestive Wellness,” “Leaky Gut Syndrome,” & “Digestive Wellness for Children”
• Ellen Britt, PA, Ed.D. is co-founder of EveryDay Qi, and well-known for hosting her informative and entertaining?teleseminar series, the EveryDay Qi Wellness Intensives, and an expert on stress management and guided imagery
• Rue Hass is an intuitive mentor/counselor/coach, founding EFT Master, former staff member of the Findhorn Foundation, and author of "Opening the Cage of Pain with EFT", "This is Where I Stand: the Power and Gift of Being Sensitive."
• Maryam Webster is an energy healer, Master Energy Coach, author of “Quantum Flow Energetics: Be Your Own Healer,” creator of the "Everyday Bliss Process" and ETHOS, a new personal transformation technology/energy healing technique.
• Jeanna Gabellini is the Extreme Abundance™ Personal and Business Coach, co-author with Jack Canfield of "Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction," speaker, trainer, radio show host and expert teacher of the Law of Attraction.
• Jennifer McLean is an energy healer, sound healer, author of the “The Big Book of You,” contributing author to Joe Vitale’s “The Key” and host of “The Daily Work" teleseminar series.
• Andrew Ramer is a modern day mystic, visionary, energy healer and prolific writer. He is the co-author of the international bestseller “Ask Your Angels,” author of “Angel Answers” “Revelations for a New Millennium,” “Two Flutes Playing” and many more transformational books.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Nutrient

Research studies continue to show the importance of having enough omega-3 fatty acids on one’s diet. Low concentrations of EPA and DHA (components of omega-3 fatty acids) result in an increased risk of death from all causes and accelerated cognitive decline. However, short-term intervention with EPA and DHA in the healthy elderly had no effect on mental well-being, suggesting that dietary habits that include a higher intake of omega 3’s may bring certain health benefits that short-term supplementation cannot provide.

Sources:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September 2008; 88(3): 595-596
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September 2008; 88(3): 706-713
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September 2008; 88(3): 714-721
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition September 2008; Vol. 88, No. 3, 722-729

Editor’s Note: Past studies have shown that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids help strengthen the heart, reduce heart attacks and strokes, improve memory, improve eyesight, reduce HDL cholesterol, decrease triglycerides, reduce inflammation and much more.

For an excellent fish oil for your omega-3 fatty acids, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=carlson

Vitamin B12 - Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Older individuals with low levels of vitamin B12 are at increased risk of having brain atrophy or shrinkage. Brain atrophy is associated with Alzheimer's disease and impaired cognitive function.

This study involved 107 volunteers aged 61 to 87 who were cognitively normal at the beginning of the study. All participants underwent annual clinical exams, MRI scans and cognitive tests and had blood samples taken.

Individuals with lower vitamin B12 levels at the start of the study had a greater decrease in brain volume. Those with the lowest B12 levels had a sixfold greater rate of brain volume loss compared with those who had the highest levels of the vitamin.

Interestingly, none of the participants were deficient in vitamin B12, they just had low levels within a normal range.

Other risk factors for brain atrophy include high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Study Reference: Neurology 2008; 71: 826-832

Editor's Note: We recommend 1,000mcg (micrograms) per day of Vitamin B12 as part of a B-Complex formula. For an excellent eye multivitamin, see Viteyes Complete at http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1754

Black Raspberries Slow Cancer by Altering Hundreds of Genes

New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents found in concentrated black raspberries could more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene.

Researchers examined the effect of freeze-dried black raspberries on genes altered by a chemical carcinogen in an animal model of esophageal cancer. The carcinogen affected the activity of 2,200 genes in the animals’ esophagus in only one week. However, 460 of those genes were restored to normal activity in animals that consumed freeze-dried black raspberry powder.

Black raspberries contain many vitamins, minerals, phenols and phytosterols, which are known to individually prevent cancer in animals.

Sources:
Science Blog August 28, 2008
Cancer Research August 1, 2008, 68, 6460-6467

Editor's Note: For a superb organic blend of fruits (including berries), vegetables and other essential nutrients, see Nanogreens at http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1745

Omega-3 & Lower Mortality Rates

According research in Italy, a daily supplement of omega-3 may reduce mortality and hospital stay for patients with heart failure. In the Italian study, patients assigned to receive omega-3 instead of a placebo reduced the rate of mortality by 9%.

For this particular study, 6,975 participants with chronic heart failure were randomly assigned to receive either a daily omega-3 supplement or placebo for almost 4 years. Less patients in the omega-3 group were admitted to hospital for cardiovascular reasons than in the placebo group. At the end of the trial, 955 deaths from all causes were documented in the omega-3 group, while 1014 deaths were recorded in the placebo group. "Our study shows that the long-term administration of 1g per day omega-3 was effective in reducing both all-cause mortality and admissions to hospital for cardiovascular reasons,” concluded the researchers.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to a wide-range of health benefits, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, good development of a baby during pregnancy, joint health, and improved behavior and mood.

Source: The Lancet
Published online ahead or print, 31 August 2008, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61239-8
“Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with chronic heart failure (the GISSI-HF trial): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial” Authors: GISSI-HF investigator

Editor's Note: For an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, we recommend Carlsons Fish Oil. To order, go to http://www.naturaleyecare.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=carlson

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Recipe from "Going Wild in the Kitchen". To order this book, go to www.lesliecerier.com

• 1/2 chopped medium size white onion
• tsp grated garlic
• 2 T. olive oil
• 2 T. tomato puree
• 3 cups water or canned stock
• 5-6 whole black pepper corns (for flavor only)
• 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper (to garnish)
• 1 T. fresh grated Parmesan cheese (to garnish)
• Salt to taste

1. Chop vegetables into bite size pieces. Wash well.
2. Heat olive oil and saute chopped onions for 1-2 minutes until translucent but not brown. Add garlic and vegetables and tomato puree. Add stock/water and black pepper corns. Season with salt.
3. Cover and cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Slightly mash with a ladle. Remove black pepper corns.
4. Transfer to soup bowls. Garnish with fresh black pepper and Parmesan cheese and serve piping hot with crusty bread.

Note: You can substitute black pepper corns with cloves, bay leaves, rosemary or an herb of your choice each time you make this soup for more variety. You can also add red kidney beans and elbow macaroni for a minestrone taste.