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September, 2010

Valpoic Acid and Retinitis Pigmentosa

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) believe Valpoic Acid may offer a new treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a common retinal degenerative disease resulting in vision loss caused by the death of photoreceptor cells.

In a retrospective study, valproic acid used to treat migraines and manage bipolar disorders also resulted in halting vision loss in patients with RP, and in many cases resulted in an improved field of vision. Results from this study, in conjunction with prior in vitro data, suggest valproic acid may be an effective treatment for photoreceptor loss associated with RP.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School will be the coordinating site for a $2.1 million, three-year clinical trial funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness/National Neurovision Research Institute. This is a follow-up study to retrospective study in which patients were treated off-label with doses of valproic acid ranging from 500mg to 750mg per day over the course of two to six months. Treated at a time when patients normally experience rapid vision loss as a result of RP, five of the seven patients in the study experienced improvement in their field of vision.

To date, discovery of a treatment for RP has been complicated by the fact that more than 40 different genes have been linked to the disease, making many interventions impractical or impossible.

Editor's Note: Although certain nutrients have been found to help slow down the progression of RP, this is the first real potential medical treatment found. There are potential negative side effects from taking Valpoic Acid, so these will have to be evaluated as well in the study.

See more information on nutrients and Retinitis Pigmentosa.

FDA approves first implantable telescope for end-stage macular degeneration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it has approved new technology that could help improve vision to people age 75 or older with end-stage, age-related macular degeneration.

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) just approved by the FDA is a first-of-its kind device, according to the manufacturer, VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies.

The IMT, smaller than a pea, is surgically implanted in one eye in an outpatient procedure and provides magnification that reduces the impact of blind spots caused by macular degeneration. The device is implanted in only one eye, because the other eye is reserved for peripheral vision, according to the FDA.

See an online patient information booklet

Low Levels of Vitamin D Found in Most Seniors

In a recent study of seniors ages 65-99, only 35 percent had sufficient vitamin D blood levels. Those with higher levels of Vitamin D had better cognitive performance on the tests than those in the deficient and insufficient categories, particularly on measures of "executive performance," such as cognitive flexibility, perceptual complexity, and reasoning.

Metabolic pathways for vitamin D have been found in the hippocampus and cerebellum areas of the brain involved in planning, processing, and forming new memories. This suggests that vitamin D may be implicated in cognitive processes

The 2009 study appears in the Journals of Gerontology, Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.

Editor's Note: General medical blood levels of Vitamin D recommended are 35 to 40 ng/ml. For adults who do not get regular exposure to sunshine, we recommend 5,000 IU per day of Vitamin D3.

Research shows Vitamin D helps prevent cancer, prevent diabetes, reduce heart disease, improve fertility, reduce effects of PMS and arthritis, reduce depression and Seasonal Affect Disorder, and more.

Liquid Vitamin D3 Product.

Tai chi eases fibromyalgia symptoms

Tai chi eased painful joints and other symptoms of fibromyalgia in a small but well-done study of this ancient Chinese form of exercise.

The study led by Dr. Chenchen Wang at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston involved 66 fibromyalgia patients assigned to try either tai chi or wellness education and stretching exercises twice a week for 12 weeks.

Symptoms improved significantly for the tai chi group and little for the others, as measured by a commonly used questionnaire. Improvements were seen in pain, mood, quality of life, sleep and exercise capacity, and remained at 24 weeks after the study's start.

Stem cells reverse blindness caused by burns

Dozens of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage to their cornea(s) when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells, a stunning success for the burgeoning cell-therapy field, Italian researchers reported 6/24.

In the study, published online by the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers took a small number of stem cells from a patient's healthy eye, multiplied them in the lab and placed them into the burned eye, where they were able to grow new corneal tissue to replace what had been damaged. Since the stem cells are from their own bodies, the patients do not need to take anti-rejection drugs.

Study suggests link of cleaners to breast cancer

A survey of Massachusetts women has found a potential link between the use of household cleaners and air fresheners and breast cancer. Breast-cancer risk was highest among women who reported the most use of cleaning products and air fresheners. Most study participants were white and middle-aged and were part of the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study, which had financial support from the state of Massachusetts.

Editor's Note: We recommend using natural house cleaners and air fresheners as these are free from chemicals and potentially hazardous products. You can get these online or at your health food store. Other natural cleaners include Murphy's and Dr. Bronner's cleaners which may be available in your supermarket.

Health and Peace

Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac.
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
(845) 255-8222