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Oxidative Stress, Vision and Overall Health

StressChronic stress is a common problem in modern living. Work, finances, relationships, and general anxiety are just a few causes. Over time, stress can harm your health. Vision problems and brain diseases can be caused or aggravated by stress. How does stress tie in with free radical damage and antioxidants? What can you do to reduce the effects of stress?

Oxidative Stress

Chronic stress can result in excess production of free radicals which the body experiences as oxidative stress.

Your body works hard to fight excess free radicals. Oxidative stress happens when your body has too few antioxidants to offset free radicals. The root cause of many chronic illnesses appears to be oxidative stress. Free radicals can damage all parts of the cell. In a wide variety of chronic and degenerative diseases, oxidative stress is suspected of being a cause.1

Oxidative Stress Can Cause:

  • Inflammation. Inflammation causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, in turn, increases inflammation.2
  • Nutrient malfunctioning. When cells have too many free radicals, the free radicals react with fatty acids and proteins. This disrupts the cells’ function.3
  • Cell membrane damage. Oxidative stress is a major threat to membranes of lipids (fats). Damage to them in the brain may be important in understanding Alzheimer’s disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, beta-amyloid accumulation may be a protective response to oxidation stress.4
  • Mitochondrial damage. The mitochondria are like the “batteries” in a cell. Free radicals harm the mitochondria, which causes premature cell death or mutations.5
  • DNA damage. Damage to the mitochondria caused by oxidative stress leads to DNA strand breakage. Cells are less able to replicate. This malfunction is linked to certain types of cancer.6

Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants get rid of free radicals on the atomic level. The body makes some antioxidants. For example, a well-balanced diet helps the body produce glutathione. Other antioxidants need to be ingested directly. As we age, we are less able to absorb nutrients. We need fewer calories. Therefore, we get fewer antioxidants. Cumulative sun exposure can also impact vision.

Free radicals place constant stress on the body. Oxidative stress, caused by free radicals, contributes to many vision and health problems. Research suggests oxidative stress may be the cause of many non-genetic health conditions. Oxidative stress affects many eye parts, including the macula,7 cornea,8 photoreceptors,9 retina,10 and optic nerve.11 Free radicals can make genetic conditions worse.

Antioxidants and Vision Disorders

Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy are all rooted in oxidative stress. Scientific research has indicated that certain supplements could help prevent or slow down these age-related eye diseases.12

Antioxidant Ingredients

Your body naturally makes some antioxidants. However, you must absorb the “building blocks” for these antioxidants. Other antioxidants must be ingested. At Natural Eye Care, we have pinpointed antioxidants that significantly affect vision health.

Antioxidants That Your Body Can Make

Glutathione and superoxide dismutase are called super antioxidants. They can counteract all types of free radicals. Macular degeneration, cataracts, and other age-related diseases are linked to low glutathione levels.

Our bodies need cysteine to make glutathione. Unfortunately, our diets do not have much cysteine. Cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and broccoli are good sources. Other glutathione building blocks are vitamin C, glycine, glutamine, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid. These can be difficult to get through the diet. Thus, you may need to take a glutathione supplement to compensate.

A glutathione supplement should be liquid, sprayed into the mouth, or placed under the tongue. Pills and capsules are not absorbed well.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that helps “recycle” glutathione.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is usually manufactured by the body in sufficient quantities. It is essential for the heart, muscles, and cells. Unfortunately, statin drugs, widely prescribed to control cholesterol, can cause a CoQ10 deficiency. Other reasons for deficiency include advanced age and low fat intake. Your doctor can test CoQ10 levels and recommend supplements if needed.

Vitamin D is made by the body when exposed to sunlight. People living in a northern climate or staying indoors most of the time may not get enough sunlight. Seniors are less efficient at producing vitamin D from the sun.13 A simple blood test will reveal any deficiencies.

Food and Supplements Provide These Antioxidants

Carotenoids are in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. A fast-food diet will not provide many carotenoids! Lutein is a carotenoid, well-known as an eye nutrient. Other eye-crucial carotenoids are beta-carotene, meso-zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, lycopene, and lutein.

Vitamin C is a popular antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables. The eye contains high concentrations of vitamin C. Uveitis patients have less swelling and inflammation when getting enough vitamin C.

Vitamin E is usually removed from cooking oil, so you may need to supplement. An important fat-soluble antioxidant, it reduces atherosclerosis, helps glutathione recycling, assists with eliminating toxins, and enhances the functioning of the brain.

Resveratrol is an important antixoidant. Eat raspberries, blueberries, mulberries, grape skins, senna, and lingonberries.

Wholistic Approach for Less Stress

Taking supplements has a limited effect if your lifestyle is unhealthy. Are you getting enough exercise? Avoiding smoking? What about excessive recreational drugs? Managing stress and eating a healthy diet are also important.

Examine Your Lifestyle. If you smoke, find a way to quit. Wear UV-blocking, quality sunglasses outdoors and on bright days while driving.

Exercise Every Day. Even walking for 20 minutes kicks off your metabolism and digestion. Stronger muscles burn calories and help protect you from injury. Exercise supports the entire body, including the eyes.

Avoid Excessive Stress. Take steps to manage your mental health. Anxiety and stress are linked to chronic inflammation. Set aside some “me time” every day.

Enjoy a Balanced Diet. Wolfing down fast food on the run is terrible for digestion. Highly processed foods are linked to cancer.14 Fill your kitchen with fresh fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Sit at the table with screens off when you eat.

Suggested Supplements

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

ACG Glutathione EXTRA STRENGTH Spray 2oz.

Dr. Grossman’s Vitamin C Plant-Based Formula – 60 caps

Footnotes

  1. Lien Ai Pham-Huy, Hua He, and Chuong Pham-Huy. (2008). Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health. Int J Biomed Sci. 2008 Jun; 4(2): 89–96. ↩
  2. Biswas, S.K. (2015). Does the Interdependence between Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Explain the Antioxidant Paradox? Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016:5698931. ↩
  3. Khasari, N., Shakiba, Y., Mahmoudi, M. (2009). Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as a major cause of age-related diseases and cancer. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov, Jan;3(1):73-80. ↩
  4. Axelsen, P.H., Komatsu, H., Murray, I.V.J. (2011). Oxidative Stress and Cell Membranes in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Physiology (Bethesda), Feb;26(1):54-69. ↩
  5. Biswal, M.R., Ahmed, C.M., Ildefonso, C.J., Han, P., Li, H., et al. (2015). Systemic treatment with a 5HT1a agonist induces anti-oxidant protection and preserves the retina from mitochondrial oxidative stress. Exp Eye Res, Nov;140:94-105. ↩
  6. Han, Y., Chen, J.Z. (2013). Oxidative stress induces mitochondrial DNA damage and cytotoxicity through independent mechanisms in human cancer cells. Biomed Res Int, 2013:825065. ↩
  7. Blasiak, J., Petrovski, G., Vereb, Z., Facsko, A., Kaamiranta, K. (2014). Oxidative stress, hypoxia, and autophagy in the neovascular processes of age-related macular degeneration. Biomed Res Int, 2014:768026. ↩
  8. Cejka, C., Cejkova, J. (2015). Oxidative stress to the cornea, changes in corneal optical properties, and advances in treatment of corneal oxidative injuries. Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2015:591530. ↩
  9. Tsuruma, K., Yamauchi, M., Inokuchi, Y., Sugitani, S., Shimazawa, M., et al. (2012). Role of oxidative stress in retinal photoreceptor cell death in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-treated mice. J Phrarmacol Sci, 118(3):351-62. ↩
  10. Kowluru, R.A., Kowluru, A., Mishra, M., Kumar, B. (2015). Oxidative stress and epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res, Sep;48:40-61. ↩
  11. O’Hare, D.R.L., Barlett, C.A., Maghzal, G.J., Lam, M., Archer, M., et al. (2014). Reactive species and oxidative stress in optic nerve vulnerable to secondary degeneration. Exp Neurol, Nov;261:136-46. ↩
  12. Priscilla Peixi Choo, Pui Juan Woi, Mae-Lynn Catherine Bastion, Rokiah Omar, Mushawiahti Mustapha, and Norshamsiah Md Din. (2022) Review of Evidence for the Usage of Antioxidants for Eye Aging. Biomed Res Int. doi: 10.1155/2022/5810373 ↩
  13. Kruse, J. (2013). Epi-paleo Rx: The prescription for disease reversal and optimal health. New Orleans, LA: Optimized Life, PLC. ↩
  14. Kiara Chang et al. (2023), Ultra-processed food consumption, cancer risk and cancer mortality: a large-scale prospective analysis within the UK Biobank. eClinicalMedicine VOLUME 56, 101840, February 2023 ↩