Latest News: August, 2009 - New Treatments
Vitamin A and Retinitis Pigmentosa
A research study done in 1993 showed that supplementing with Vitamin A for those with Retinitis Pigmentosa could help preserve vision. Speculation is that the Vitamin A can help protect the rods from damage (rods are photoreceptor cells that help us see at night and peripherally as well).
Berson, Rosner, Sandberg, Hayes, Nicholson, Weigel-DiFranco, and Willette, 1993. A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa. Archives of Ophthalmology (June 1993), volume 111(6), pages 761-772.
What about Vitamin A Safety?
In a study of people with retinitis pigmentosa (a degenerative condition of the eye), participants received 15,000 IU of
vitamin A per day for 12 years with no signs of adverse effects or toxicity.* For other adults, intake above 25,000 IU
(7,500 mcg) per day can—in rare cases—cause headaches, dry skin, hair loss, fatigue, bone problems, and liver damage.**
At higher levels (for example 100,000 IU per day) these problems become more common.
*Sibulesky L, Hayes KC, Pronczuk A, et al. Safety of (more than)7500 RE ((more than)25000 IU) vitamin A daily in adults with retinitis pigmentosa.
Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:656–63.
**Bendich A, Langseth L. Safety of vitamin A. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49:358–71.
Note: Women who are pregnant or subject to bone loss should confer with their doctor before supplementing higher amounts of Vitamin A.
What Does Vitamin A Do for the Eyes?
Vitamin A is a necessary structural component of rhodopsin or visual purple, the light sensitive pigment within rod and cone cells of the retina. If inadequate quantities of vitamin A are present, vision is impaired by cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina.
The 11-cis retinal form of vitamin A is essential for the neural transmission of light into vision.
A deficiency of vitamin A causes a deficit in the pigment needed by rod cells (responsible for our night vision). As a result, if fewer rod cells are able to sufficiently respond in darker conditions, night blindness can occur.
Betacarotene is the water-soluble version of vitamin A (which is fat soluble), and can be converted to Vitamin A by the body as
needed. People with Stargardt's Disease for example should not be supplementing with the fat soluble version of Vitamin A,
while people with thyroid issues may want to supplement with the fat version as they can have difficulty converting beta-carotene
to Vitamin A.
For more related studies to Vitamin A, see nutritionmedicine.aegeanvirtual.net/?p=196
Editor's Note: See more information on Retinitis Pigmentosa and nutrition.
Diet High in Antioxidants Helps Preserve Vision and Slows Down the Progression of Macular Degeneration
Antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables such as carrots can help slow down sight loss in older adults, say scientists.
In a five-year study, scientists in Belfast and Waterford showed that the intake of high levels of both carotenoids - rich antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables - preserved macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision because of its effects on the macula, the central part of the retina.
To reach the conclusion, Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from the Queen’’s University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science,
looked at nutritional supplements for patients with AMD and found they helped sharpen vision.
More than 400 people, with an average age of 77, took part in clinical trials investigating whether carotenoids could prevent
progression to the more serious late AMD, reports Sky News.
The supplement contained the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, combined with vitamins C, E and zinc.
Prof Chakravarthy said: “These findings are important because this is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to document
a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained macular pigment.
“Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the numbers needed to treat to prevent one case from
progressing from early to late AMD.”
Editor's Note: For an excellent whole food eye formula high in antioxidants, see our Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula.
Eye Exercises for Vision Improvement
Read a recent testimonial from one of Dr. Grossman's patients of how her vision was able to dramatically improve from the vision therapy program he had her on, which included both daily eye exercises and a method to release emotional restraints that affected this patient's vision through drawing.
"You know how people talk about having 20-20 vision? Well, over the past decade, I’ve gone from 650-20
to 275-20. The doctor’s prescription involved doing eye exercises and letting go emotionally. I don’t need reading glasses either!
(Btw, Marc, who is trained in regular eye doctor stuff -- as well as things like acupuncture -- graduated from Stuyvesant High School
a year ahead of me. We bonded instantly over that shared geeky connection).
The issue of drawing came up during a check-up two years ago. I was busy ranting about my parents. (Yes, I was still having
trouble with letting go.) It was a time when I was realizing just how much Mom and Dad’s decision to force me into right-handedness
messed me up emotionally. I grew up constantly doubting myself. In matters of life and love, being spontaneous was not my m.o"
..... More ...
Editor's Note: See Dr. Grossman's latest DVD featuring him demonstrating his favorite eye exercises and visualizations,
as well as Michael Edson demonstrating Qigong exercises for better vision.
Technique Can Help Stop Macular Degeneration
In a clinical trial, targeted low-dose radiation is delivered to the eye, with the the goal to affect the abnormal blood vessels without affecting the healthy parts of the eye.
According to Carl Awh, M.D., a retina specialist at Baptist Hospital, the amount of radiation exposure to the body from going through this procedure is less than one would get flying from New York to Los Angeles in a plane.
The radioactive substance is injected along with the traditional medication used. The radiation-drug combo is more powerful, lasts longer and could eliminate the need for monthly injections.
This is an outpatient surgery procedure where the patients are sedated for about an hour. The technique is in the final stages of approval in Europe and should be available there in August. If the trial is successful in the U.S., the treatment could be available
in less than two years.
Editor's Note: We try to report any procedures being explored that may help people preserve vision with acute eye conditions
such as macular degeneration.
Lifestyle considerations, diet and nutrition play a critical role in both preventing the onset of macular
degeneration and preserving vision for those with macular degeneration. For more information, see our section on
Macular Degeneration.
Thyroid Problems Linked to Glaucoma
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham believe that thyroid disorders may increase the risk of glaucoma. Their study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, reviewed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey to quantify the association between a self-reported diagnosis of glaucoma and a self-reported history of thyroid problems.
The results of this study lend support to the hypothesis that thyroid disorders may increase the risk of glaucoma. Although further research on the topic is expected, study authors suspect that hypothyroidism may diminish outflow in the eye.
SOURCE: The association between thyroid problems and glaucoma, Cross, et al, British Journal of Ophthalmology 2008;92:1503-1505.
Editor's Note: See information on nutrition and glaucoma.
Avoiding Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when the minerals and acid salts in your urine crystallize, stick together, and solidify into a mass. This happens
when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances, such as calcium and uric acid, than the available fluid can dilute.
This can happen when urine is highly acid or highly alkaline.
Certain drugs can also promote kidney stones, such as Lasix (furosemide), Topomax (topiramate), and Xenical, among others.
Many times, it is a combination of factors that create an environment favorable to stone formation.
There are 4 types of kidney stones:
- Calcium stones. The most common type (four out of five cases) is usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate
is found in some fruits and vegetables, but your liver produces most of your oxalate. If you are found to have oxalate
stones, your doctor may recommend avoiding foods rich in oxalates, such as dark green vegetables, nuts and chocolate.
- Struvite stones: Found more often in women, these are almost always the result of urinary tract infections.
- Uric acid stones. These are a byproduct of protein metabolism.They’re commonly seen with gout,and may result
from certain genetic factors and disorders of your blood-producing tissues.
- Cystine stones. Represent a very small percentage of kidney stones.These are the result of a hereditary
disorder that causes your kidneys to excrete massive amounts of certain amino acids (cystinuria).
The number one risk factor for kidney stones is not drinking enough water. If you aren’t drinking enough,
your urine will simply have higher concentrations of substances that can form stones. Don't wait until you
are thirsty. You should be drinking water in dosages of 4 ounces throughout the day, up to 6-8 glasses worth.
Other risk factors include having a sedentary lifestyle without regular exercise, high blood pressure,
digestive issues, a diet high in sugar (sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body by interfering
with calcium and magnesium absorption), drinking large amounts of soda, eating diets high in salt content.
Reduced vitamin E levels linked with poorer quality of life in older individuals
A communication published online on June 1, 2009 in the British Journal of Nutrition
In this study, blood samples were analyzed for plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the amino acid tryptophan, which helps regulate mood.
According to the authors, the low vitamin E levels observed in this study could indicate that dietary intake of the vitamin is insufficient, or that more vitamin E and other antioxidants are being degraded due to increased formation of reactive oxygen species by inflammation.
“The present findings document a clear association between vitamin E levels and inflammatory pathways in the elderly and suggest that their interaction may influence quality of life,” the authors conclude. “Insufficient antioxidant intake and/or defenses, as assessed by plasma vitamin E, appear to correlate with signs of inflammation and participate in age-related alterations in health and quality of life.”
Study: Acupuncture & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Acupuncture is as effective as the corticosteroid, prednisone, for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), according to a new study.
The randomized, controlled study that was published in the May 2009 issue of the Clinical Journal of Pain, investigated the efficacy of acupuncture compared with steroid treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome as measured by both nerve conduction studies and symptom assessment surveys.
Seventy-seven patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group received eight acupuncture treatments over four weeks, and the other group received oral doses of prednisone, daily, for four weeks. The results showed that acupuncture was just as effective as the corticosteroid for pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. For the symptoms of night time awakening and motor function, the acupuncture group had better results.
The researchers concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option for CTS for those who experience side effects to oral steroids or for those who do not opt for early surgery.
Source: The Clinical Journal of Pain. 25(4):327-333, May 2009.
doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e318190511c
Health and Peace
Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac.
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
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