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December, 2011

Vitamin C & Cataract 2010 Indian Study

A recent study published in the journal "Archives of Ophthalmology" showed an inverse link between vitamin C and cataracts. This Indian study was a population-based cross-sectional analytic study measuring the plasma vitamin C levels in 5638 people 60 years of age or older. These people were checked for cataracts and type of cataracts.

Low levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, retinol (an animal form of Vitamin A) and vitamin C all showed to be correlated to cataracts. However, low vitamin C levels had by far the strongest association and were also consistent by type of cataract.

Ref: Ophthalmology. 2011;118(10):1958-1965

Editor's Note: Vitamin C and Glutathione are antioxidants found in the lens of the eyes that commonly are deficient in those with cataracts. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are also found in the lens of the eyes and retina, and acts as both an antioxidant and as a filter of sunlight (acts like an internal pair of sunglasses.

Optic Nerve Neuropathy and Partial Vision Restoration

It has long been thought that blindness after brain lesions is irreversible and that damage to the optic nerves leads to permanent impairments in everyday activities such as reading, driving, and spatial orientation. A new study published in Elsevier's Brain Stimulation suggests that treating such patients with low levels of non-invasive, repetitive, transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) for 10 days (30-40 min per day) significantly reduces visual impairment and markedly improves vision-related quality of life.

In patients with optic nerve damage, the study results showed that treatment with rtACS resulted in an average of 41% shrinkage of the visual field loss. The treatments lasted 10-20 minutes per day for each eye.

This study is particularly interesting as it shows that the adult visual system is more modifiable than was previously thought, and may help in the development of new therapies for patients with visual field loss.

A clinical study with a larger number of patients (the study above had 42 patients) is now underway.

Carolin Gall, Susann Sgorzaly, Sein Schmidt, Stephan Brandt, Anton Fedorov, Bernhard A. Sabel. Noninvasive Transorbital Alternating Current Stimulation Improves Subjective Visual Functioning And Vision-Related Quality Of Life In Optic Neuropathy. Brain Stimulation, 2011; 4 (4): 175 DOI:10.1016/

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Surgery for Corneal Disease

Though not yet available in the United States, corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin (vitamin B2) is currently performed internationally for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration. Researchers are also studying the procedure's potential to treat conditions ranging from infectious corneal ulcers that will not heal to painful pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

The surgery is done as follows. The surgeon instills riboflavin drops on the cornea after removing the epithelium. Once saturated with riboflavin, the cornea undergoes irradiation with ultraviolet (UVA) light for about 30 minutes.

This treatment stiffens abnormally weak corneas, primarily by creating strong bonds (or cross-links) between corneal collagen fibers.

Clinical research has shown that cross-linking not only stops the progression of keratoconus, but it also induces flattening of the cornea and visual improvement (ref: Kohlhaas M, Spoerl E, Schilde T, et al. Biomechanical evidence of the distribution of cross-links in corneas treated with riboflavin and ultraviolet A light. Cataract Refract Surg. 2006;32:279-283).

In addition to therapy for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia, corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin may play a role in the treatment of corneal infections.

Editor's Note: This is exciting surgery as it is much less invasive than current surgery being performed in the United States for severe keratoconus (and other corneal diseases).

For less severe corneal issues not requiring surgery, see a couple of excellent natural eyedrops that support corneal health.

Macular Degeneration and Zeaxanthin

2007 Study by shows supplemention with zeaxanthin (a member of the lutein family of carotenoids, foods that give fruits and vegetables their color) helps improve visual function for those with early atrophic age-related macular degeneration.

Source: The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973.
Richer SP, Stiles W, Graham-Hoffman K, Levin M, Ruskin D, Wrobel J, Park DW, Thomas C.

Editor's Note: Carotenoids essential for those with macular degeneration and for overall retinal health include: lutein, zeaxantin, mesozeaxanthin and astaxanthin. Good food sources of zeaxanthin and lutein include eggs, kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, garden peas, Brussel sprouts and peppers.

Our Advanced Eye and Vision Support (whole food) Formula contains lutein and zeaxanthin (6.5 mg per capsule).

For products related to Mesozeaxanthin and Astaxanthin, see our section on Macular Degeneration.

Exercise & Healthy Brain Function

Studies have repeatedly shown that older individuals who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight are less likely to succumb to cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer�s disease than their heavier, more sedentary peers.

Ref: Ainslie PN, Cotter JD, George KP, et al. Elevation in cerebral blood flow velocity with aerobic fitness throughout healthy human ageing. J Physiol. 2008 Aug 15;586(16):4005-10.

Deslandes A, Moraes H, Ferreira C, et al. Exercise and mental health: many reasons to move. Neuropsychobiology. 2009;59(4):191-8.

Crawford JG. Alzheimer�s disease risk factors as related to cerebral blood flow. Med Hypotheses. 1996 Apr;46(4):367-77.

Shrinking muscle mass correlates with declining cerebral blood flow. Sluggish cerebral blood flow is associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment.

Other factors that contribute to cognitive brain decline include: obesity, hyperparathyroidism, drug abuse and addiction (including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, nicotine and even sugar addiction).

Editor's Note: See more information on Alzheimer's Disease and ways to preserve healthy brain function.

Chronic Inflammatory & Joint Pain

If you are suffering from chronic inflammation and joint pain, the following nutrients may significantly help improve your condition and symptoms:

Krill Oil - 300mg per day can significantly reduce joint pain, stiffness, and C-reactive protein (CRP, a measure of inflammation). In one women's study, pain, stiffness and function impairment were measured and shown to significantly improve. (ref: Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effect of Neptune Krill Oil on chronic inflammation and arthritic symptoms. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Feb;26(1):39-48)

In a separate study of krill oil combined with hyaluronic acid and astaxanthin (both of which target pro-inflammatory agents in the body), arthritis patients reported a 55% pain reduction in under 3 months, with 63% entirely pain-free. (Valensa. FlexPro MD Clinical Trial Overview and Results. 2011)
Fish Oil - lowers levels of inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. It also provides major cardiovascular benefits. The high levels of DHA and EPA in fish oil provides excellent benefits to heart, eye and brain health.
Krill oil may be superior at protecting joint cartilage from inflammatory damage, while fish oils are better at suppressing the circulating inflammatory cytokines that cause cardiovascular disease.

Ref: Kalogeropoulos N, Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, et al. Unsaturated fatty acids are inversely associated and n-6/n-3 ratios are positively related to inflammation and coagulation markers in plasma of apparently healthy adults. Clin Chim Acta. 2010 Apr 2;411(7-8):584-91.

Ierna M, Kerr A, Scales H, Berge K, Griinari M. Supplementation of diet with krill oil protects against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010;11:136.
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory agent. It is widely studied for its beneficial effects on chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Yuan JP, Peng J, Yin K, Wang JH. Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 Jan;55(1):150-65.

Nakao R, Nelson OL, Park JS, Mathison BD, Thompson PA, Chew BP. Effect of astaxanthin supplementation on inflammation and cardiac function in BALB/c mice. Anticancer Res. 2010 Jul;30(7):2721-5.
Hyaluronic Acid - is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is a major component of joint and connective tissue. In joints, its natural function is to lubricate and cushion the joint lining from repeated impacts and microscopic trauma. It is also involved in wound repair and regeneration. Hyaluronic acid helps stop joint degradation and slows the painful and destructive progress of arthritis
(Campo GM, Avenoso A, Nastasi G, et al. Hyaluronan reduces inflammation in experimental arthritis by modulating TLR-2 and TLR-4 cartilage expression. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Sep;1812(9):1170-81)

Due to the large size of the Hyaluronic Acid molecule, it is best absorbed through intake of Krill oil or by direct injection in to the joint.
Gluscosamine Sulfate and Condroitin - helps protect cartilage from further damage. Used over the long term, they can restore joint cartilage to a more youthful state, increasing its pressure resistance and naturally high elasticity.
Jerosch J. Effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on cartilage metabolism in OA: outlook on other nutrient partners especially omega-3 fatty acids. Int J Rheumatol. 2011;2011:969012.

Editor's Note: Many of the nutrients above have significant benefits for supporting healthy vision including fish oil (including macular degeneration prevention and overall eye health), krill oil (overall eye health), astaxanthin (reduced inflammation) and hyaluronic acid (may help strengthen the Vitreous Gel and related connective tissue).

For more related information on nutrients and vision, see our index of eye conditions.

New Stanford study: Arthritis results from inflammation, not just wear and tear

Traditional thought was that joint conditions such as Osteoarthritis was due to normal wear and tear. New research shows that much of the damage over time is due to the body's natural healing response to injury.

"The problem isn't just injury, but the body's response to it", said Robinson, associate professor of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford's School of Medicine.

When the body senses damage to cartilage (even tiny microscopic tears, without symptoms), a primitive arm of the immune system kicks into gear. This system is called the "complement system," which also protects against viruses and bacteria.

It cranks out inflammatory proteins and little enzymes which attack the joint. This continues for years, even decades.

Then, when force is put on the damaged joint, it suffers tiny fractures. Over time, the bone remodels itself so the joint grows larger and more blocky. With movement, it doesn't glide normally and causes pain.

Editor's Note: This information above specifically mentioned Osteoarthritis, but should also apply to other chronic inflammatory joint diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis where the body creates a loop of reacting to joint damage by creating an inflammatory response, which then leads to more joint damage.

Natural anti-inflammatories and joint support nutrients include: fish oil, Krill oil, astaxanthin, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitan and MSM. Other helpful anti-inflammatory herbs include tumeric, ginger, boswellia, green tea, nettle leaf and holy basil.

An anti-inflammatory diet is one made up of primarily alkalizing foods, such as avocado, lime, green, leafy vegetables, and most vegetables and fruits. Acidic foods include refined white foods such as sugar, white bread, white rice, white pasta; meat and most dairy products. Also, avoid unhealhy oils including margarines, transfatty acids, overheated oil, corn oil and vegetable oils.

See a list of alkalizing foods.