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Vitamin D Consumption and Reduced Risk of Macular Degeneration: 2011 Study

Consuming vitamin D from foods or supplements might reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women younger than 75, according to a study published this week by the Archives of Ophthalmology.

A team led by researchers at the University at Buffalo, N.Y., examined data on blood levels of vitamin D among 1,313 women 50 to 79 enrolled in the ongoing Women's Health Initiative study. In women younger than 75, vitamin D from foods and supplements (but not from time spent in direct sunlight) was linked with decreased risk of developing early age-related macular degeneration. Those who consumed the most vitamin D had a 59 percent decreased risk of developing it compared with women who consumed the least.

Ref: Vitamin D and Macular Degeneration Arch Ophthalmol. \Amy E. Millen, PhD; Rick Voland, PhD; Sherie A. Sondel, MS; Niyati Parekh, PhD; Ronald L. Horst, PhD; Robert B. Wallace, MD; Gregory S. Hageman, PhD; Rick Chappell, PhD; Barbara A. Blodi, MD; Michael L. Klein, MD; Karen M. Gehrs, MD; Gloria E. Sarto.

Editor's Note: This is the second study to find that vitamin D might help protect against AMD. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just released national data on vitamin D status in the U.S. population, which found that 9 percent to 28 percent of females were at risk of vitamin D inadequacy and up to 12 percent were at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D3 is the recommended form of Vitamin D to take.

Study: Avestin as effective as Lucentis for Wet Macular Degeneration

A new study, led by Dr. Daniel Martin, an ophthalmologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute, has found that the cancer drug Avastin delivers the same benefits of the drug Lucentis, which is given to people with age-related macular degeneration.

"The results of our study show that Lucentis and Avastin are virtually identical, in terms of visual acuity achieved, when they’re given on the same dosing frequency," Martin said in a press release. "For example, if you compare Lucentis given monthly versus Avastin given monthly, it’s virtually identical for visual acuity achieved in one year."

The big difference between these two drugs is the price tag. It costs about $50 per treatment compared to $2,000 for Lucentis. Both drugs are sold by Roche's Genentech unit.

Complete findings of study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Editor's Note: This is good news for seniors who cannot afford the Medicare co-payments for Lucentis treatments.

As part of one's treatment strategy for preserving vision for those with age-related macular degeneration, it is essential to include a healthy diet, lifestyle and targeted nutrients in one's daily routine. See more information on macular degeneration.

Study: Antioxidants Protect Trabecular Meshwork in Glaucoma

An independent study below finds that the antioxidants vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may reduce the progression of glaucoma. Additionally noted is that effectively reducing or even reversing oxidation may facilitate a healing response in the trabecular meshwork or outflow pathway in the eyes of glaucoma patients. A key suspect in the progression of POAG is local oxidative stress. Oxidative free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reported to trigger degeneration in the trabecular meshwork, subsequently leading to increases in IOP and glaucoma.

"The finding of a protective effect of vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine (a key component of glutathione) adds to the growing evidence that antioxidants are beneficial in POAG and are worthy of further investigation.” Dr. Yuan He

Reference: Yuan He, et al. Mitochondrial Complex I defect induces ROS release and degeneration in trabecular meshwork cells of POAG patients: Protection by antioxidants, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49:1447-58, 2008.

Editor's Note: Research is continuuing to support the hypothesis that glaucoma can often be related to circulatory issues and poor assimilation/availability of antioxidants in the eyes, and that targeted nutritional support can helps preserve healthy vision.

See an excellent antioxidant formula to support optic nerve health.

Mirtogenol® Lowers Eye Pressure Naturally: 2010 Study

A study published in this month’s issue of the journal Clinical Opthamology examined the effects of Mitrogenol in a group of 79 patients living with “asymptomatic ocular hypertension”. The participants were separated into three groups: a) received 80 mg of Mitroselect bilberry extract and 40 mg of Pycnogenol daily; b) applied a medicinal eye drop (Latanoprost) and; c) utilized both treatments. The trial lasted a total of 24 weeks and yielded the following results:

• The Mitrogenol group lowered their intraocular pressure (IOP) from 38.1 to 29 mmHg or 24%.
• The Latanoprost patients found an IOP reduction from 37.7 to 27.2 mmHg or 28%.
• The combination group began with an IOP of 38 mmHg and ended with an IOP of 23 mmHg - a 40%
• Healthy or normal eye pressure should range between about 10 to 21 mmHg.

Study supports cranberry dose levels for urinary health

The study supports levels outlined by a French health claim, issued in 2004, for the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) with at least 36 milligrams of proanthocyanidins (PAC) to "help reduce the adhesion of certain E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract walls", and subsequently fight urinary tract infections (UTIs).

A higher dose of 72 mg was even more efficient at protecting against bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract, according to findings published in the open-access journal BMC Infectious Diseases.

A lower dose of 18 mg of cranberry PACs was less effective, according to the results of a randomized, double-blind versus placebo study based in Japan, Hungary, Spain and France.

Source: BMC Infectious Diseases 2010, 10:94

Global Mercury Emmissions on the Rise

In a recent report "Arctic Pollution 2011," released this month at a scientific conference in Copenhagen, the report concluded that global mercury emissions could grow by 25 percent by 2020 if no action is taken to control them, posing a threat to polar bears, whales and seals and the Arctic communities who hunt those animals for food, an authoritative international study says.

The assessment by a scientific body set up by the eight Arctic rim countries also warns that climate change may worsen the problem, by releasing mercury stored for thousands of years in permafrost or promoting chemical processes that transform the substance into a more toxic form.

Another report released earlier this week at the meeting of nearly 400 scientists showed melting ice in the Arctic could help raise global sea levels by as much as 5 feet (1.6 meters) this century, much higher than earlier projections.

For polar bears, high mercury levels can lead to a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects all aspects of the animal's behavior, survival and reproduction, the study said.

Traces of mercury are found in almost all fish and shellfish. At certain levels, it can harm the developing nervous system of a fetus or young child if too much tainted seafood is consumed by the mother or child. The World Health Organization says there are higher rates of mental difficulties among children in parts of the world that rely primarily on fish.

Study shows how inflammation can lead to cancer

A new study shows how inflammation can help cause cancer. Chronic inflammation due to infection or to conditions such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease is associated with up to 25 percent of all cancers.

This study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James) found that inflammation stimulates a rise in levels of a molecule called microRNA-155 (miR-155). When miR-155 is upregulated by inflammatory stimuli and that overexpression of miR-155 increases the spontaneous mutation rate, which can contribute to tumorigenesis. "It is believed that cancer is caused by an accumulation of mutations in cells of the body", says principal investigator Dr. Carlo M. Croce, professor and chair of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics, and director of the Human Cancer Genetics program the OSUCCC - James.

Editor's Note: Chronic inflammation may be the underlying cause of many diseases including heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Simply by converting to a alkaline diet can significantly help reduce inflammation naturally.

Here's a brief chart on alkaline foods:

Alkaline Foods – 80% of your diet

Fresh Fruit Avocado Lemons Limes Rhubarb Baby coconut	Fresh Vegetables Bok Choy Broccoli Cauliflower Eggplant French Green Beans Garlic Ginger hand Kale or any dark leafy green Leeks Onions – Yellow, Vidalia, Red Rutabaga Swiss Chard Zucchini	Salads Beets Celery Cucumber Dandelion leaves Dulse, dried Fennel (Anise) Lettuce, variety Nori sheets Radishes Red, Green and Yellow Peppers Scallions Soy Sprouts Sprouts (ie, Alfalfa, Mung bean, Broccoli, Clover, etc.) Tomatoes	Fresh Herbs Basil Chives Cilantro Mint/spearmint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Tarragon Thyme
Dried Herbs Cardamom Coriander Cumin Oregano Paprika Red pepper	Groceries Dehydrated Coconut Organic Coconut Milk Pumpkin Seed Butter Raw Pumpkin Seeds (soaked, sprouted)	Condiments and Spices Sea Salt, "Himalayan" salt Curry Powder Garam Masala Nutmeg Peppercorns	Oils Coconut oil Avocado Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil Flax seed oil Hemp Seed Oil

Low Acidic Foods - 20% of your alkalizing diet

Fruit Blueberries (infrequently) Cantaloupe melons (mildly acidic) White Grapefruit (mildly acidic) Medjool Dates (mildly acidic) Plums (mildly acidic) Raspberries (infrequently) Sour Cherries (mildly alkaline) Sweet Cherries (mildly acidic) Fish Mackerel Red Snapper Salmon Sea Bass Trout Tuna

Vegetables Carrots Celery Root Horseradish Parsnips Red Potatoes (young, small, fresh) Sweet Potatoes Turnips Frozen Foods Edamame (highly alkaline when fresh) Ezekiel Sprouted breads Manna Bread (sprouted, yeast free) Sesame Spelt Bread

Groceries Buckwheat Groats (mildly acidic) Ezekiel Pasta Flax crackers Flax seeds Kamut (mildly alkaline) Kidney Beans (mildly alkaline) Lentils (dried French) Millet Navy Beans (mildly alkaline) Buckwheat Flour/Noodles (mildly alkaline) Spelt Flour/Noodles (mildly alkaline) Quinoa (mildly alkaline) Raw Almonds/Butter (mildly alkaline, soaked, sprouted) Raw Brazil, Hazelnuts, Walnuts Raw Sunflower Seeds (soaked, sprouted) Raw Tahini

Flavorings Almond Coconut Lemon Maple Orange Peppermint Stevia (mildly alkaline) Vanilla Organic Basmati Brown Rice although acidic, provides some Vitamin B12, and should be included as part of the 20% of your diet

Stress, Our Guts and Illness

Ohio State University researchers say they have found that stress-related illnesses likely start among the hordes of good and bad bacteria that live in our guts.

There are as many as 500 species of bacteria living inside our large intestines. With a combined population that approaches 100 trillion, these microbes help transfer nutrients and vitamins to the body while others help break down wastes and kill harmful food-borne bacteria.

Michael Bailey, an OSU immunologist and animal physiologist, found that stress in mice activates the immune system to fight off illness, even when there is no threat. This stress causes the immune system to overproduce a class of proteins called cytokines, which are linked to inflammation or swelling in body tissues. These proteins typically emerge when the body is fighting off a disease.

The stress was found to change the balance of a variety of bacteria in the gut. Researchers found a link between the bacteria changes and the inflammatory cytokine when the mice were treated with antibiotics.

Editor's Notes: Ongoing research continues to link the effects of chronic stress on the onset of chronic illnesses including heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Our bodies were not designed to have to manage ongoing low level stress which keeps us in a "fight or flight" mode. This response is supposed to be called upon as needed for defense, then released, rather than to be constantly stimulated through the low level pressures of daily living in the modern world.

Daily morning meditation, yoga, walks in the woods, relaxed breathing and taking one's time eating all help to manage chronic stress and helping maintain health.