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March, 2010

Studies Show Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba for Macular Degeneration and Preventing Retinal Detachments

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. 1994 Dec;59(6):697-706.

Editor's Note: See an excellent whole food eye formula with Gingko Biloba.

Smoking, an Additional Risk Factor in Elder Women with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Inflammation and apoptosis (cell death) marker levels increase with smoking in the aqueous humor and plasma samples of women with primary open angle glaucoma. Smoking could be an important additional risk factor for glaucoma progression in elderly women.

SOURCE: Zanon-Moreno V, Garcia-Medina JJ, Zanon-Viguer V, et al. Smoking, an additional risk factor in elder women with primary open-angle glaucoma. Mol Vis 2009;15:2953-2959.

Editor's Note: We can go on about the list of diseases caused by smoking, but once again studies show how dependent healthy vision is to whole body health.

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 supernutrients that should be part of everyone's diet, and should be added as a supplement, particularly for people who do not get exposure daily to the sun. Numerous studies have shown Vitamin D3 as helping to prevent cancer, improve immune function and bone health, regulate insulin and blood pressure regulation and more. Here's an excellent organic whole food vitamin D3 supplement.

Study: Can-C 1% n-acetyl-carnosine eyedrops help cataracts in pets

In the following study, cataracts in pets responded well to eyedrops below:

Control Study: Thirty dogs, (60 eyes) received topical application of Can-C 1% N-acetylcarnosine eye drop solution twice daily to cataracts. * Study showed improved visual behaviour of the animals within weeks of treatment. * Cataract reversal starts from the periphery of the cataract followed by increased transparency of the lens. * 96% of canine eyes treated with N-acetylcarnosine (Can-C) showed notable improvements. * Dogs with both immature and ripe cataracts showed significant visual improvement.

Current Drug Therapy, 2006, Vol. 1, No. 1 107 - Excerpt from; "TREATMENT OF AGE- RELATED CATARACTS IN CANINES" - Mark Babizhayev MA PhD

Editor's Notes: This is the same formulation found in 3 research studies to help with cataracts in people as well. For more information on the research, Click Here.

See more information on Can-C.

Australian scientists discover Omega-3 diet can help prevent Alzheimers

Australian scientists at Melbourne's Deakin University confirm a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain from developing Alzheimers disease.

According to cellular biologist and project leader Professor Leigh Ackland, its protective powers stem from an ability to regulate the brain's natural level of zinc, which can prove toxic at elevated levels,

They found that when the level of DHA in neuronal cells drops, the level of zinc rises. Omega-3 fatty acids contain a combination of EPA, DHA and alpha linoleic acid.

Previous research had shown a reduced incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in populations with a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

DHA is found most commonly in cold water fatty fish while a vegetarian source can be derived from seaweed.

Editor's Note: See more related studies on nutrition and Alzheimer's Disease. Also see an excellent fish oil and for a vegetarian source of DHA.

Fighting cancer with light

Researchers in Philadelphia are among those seeking to expand the use of lasers to target tumors and curtail side effects. This treatment method is called Photodynamic Therapy, and has been used for many years as a non-invasive safe treatment for stopping bleeding in the retina.

Photodynamic Therapy works by injecting a non-toxic dye into the blood that gets absorbed by the cancer cells, and makes them more light sensitive, making them susceptible to light therapy as a way to kill the cells. Normal cells do not get affected as they eliminate the dye more quickly than the cancer cells do.

In a randomized European study, photodynamic therapy had extended the life of patients with inoperable bile-duct cancer by more than a year, on average, in some cases several years. It worked so well that the trial was stopped early.

During that time, the patients reported having a better quality of life. And unlike with radiation, there is no limit to how much the body can take. Patients can repeat the process as much as needed.

"For some other cancers, at least in the early stages, photodynamic therapy can eliminate the malignant growth entirely. This is true for lesions of the skin and esophagus, and also for some superficial lesions of the lung", said pulmonologist Michael Unger, who uses the technique at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Sugary sodas linked to pancreatic cancer: study

Analyses of data collected on 60,524 Singapore Chinese adults showed that people who drank two or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks a week were at greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with individuals who did not, the study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention says.

No link was found between drinking juice and pancreatic cancer.

Editor's Note: Please keep in mind that juice contains high levels of sugar as well, and can contribute to diabetes and obesity.

Health and Peace

Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac.
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
visionworksusa@earthlink.net
www.naturaleyecare.com
(845) 255-8222