You might also like to read this article posted today by Tony d'Angelis:
Tony's Tidbits: The Eye
We are living longer and the things that have an adverse effect on the eyes
are increasing in our lives. Therefore, there is greater concern as to
whether our eyes will last as long as the rest of our bodies. The weakening
of our visual health is readily noticed by the number of us wearing glasses
and developing diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular
degeneration. The increase in incidence of diabetes has also contributed to
eye problems. In NIDDM (type II diabetes), increased insulin levels in the
blood may disturb eye development. High blood insulin is a direct result of
a chromium deficiency usually caused by consumption of low fat dairy
products, refined grains and carbohydrates.
Glaucoma, the increase in pressure of the fluids in the eye, comes on
without warning. A simple annual screening should be done to assure its
discovery before blindness occurs. There are certain conditions that put you
at increased risk of glaucoma. These conditions are: hypertension, diabetes,
hyperthyroidism, and migraine headaches. Diets that are deficient in vitamin
A, carotenes, vitamin C, protein, and chromium also contribute to glaucoma
incidence. Nutrients that have shown an effect in preventing glaucoma are:
Bilberry, Lutein, OPCs, Coleus, Ginkgo, glucosamine sulfate, magnesium
quercetin, rutin, B-complex, B-12, CDP choline, acetyl L-carnosine,
selenium, chromium, vinpocetine, and Triphala.
Cataracts have become commonplace in the elderly. Cataracts are caused by
oxidative damage to the proteins in the lens of the eye. This causes the
normally clear lens to become opaque. Then loss of visual acuity declines.
Oxidative damage to the eye is caused by excessive alcohol consumption,
trans-fatty acids, smoking, UV light exposure, artificial light, and sugar
consumption. You may see a contradiction here in that cataracts are caused
by too much UV light AND too much artificial light. Studies indicate that
those almost exclusively exposed to artificial light suffer more visual
defects than those exposed to UV light almost exclusively. The rule is, if
you work indoors, be sure to get some daylight into your life daily. If you
work outdoors, use protective eyewear but only during the midday period
where the light is most intense. Good preventive supplements are: vitamins
A, C and E, Lipoic acid, Bilberry, Triphala, and Turmeric.
Dry eye (Conjunctivitis, Sjogren’s syndrome) is another common eye
problem. Ii is caused by oxidation of the surface tissues and tear ducts in
your eyelids. The clogging of the tear ducts deprives the eyes of the
nourishing and lubricating fluids (sebum and mucin) and the result is
inflammation. Secondary tear production then may cause runny eyes. Topical
nutrients used in treating dry eye may involve use of Hyaluronic acid, DHEA,
Carnosine, and vitamin A. Long-term effects can be achieved by supplementing
a good diet with vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and
GLA (as in evening primrose, black currant, and borage seed oils).
An operation that has become almost commonplace is laser surgery for
correcting visual defects. All of these procedures are experimental and some
have already proven to cause problems - enough problems to generate
class-action lawsuits against the manufacturers of the equipment. There are
more than a few different types of lasers so it is important for you to do
the research on the effects of that particular laser. NEVER get your
information from the doctor using the device. One immediate side effect of
most laser procedures is the permanent loss of night vision. Before you have
any surgery get the doctor to guarantee that you still will be able to drive
safely at night.
Preventive strategy for protecting the eye involves doing all the basics -
air/breathing, exercise, water, proper food selection, supplements, stress
reduction, decrease time at computer and TV, relax and sleep. Also avoid use
of shampoos and soaps that contain PEG or sodium lauryl sulfate.
SUPPLEMENTS TO CONSIDER
Vitamin E400 IU mixed tocopherols. Counteracts glutamic acid toxicity.
CoQ10 counteracts glutamic acid negative effects. Prevents glaucoma.
Ubiquinol form is preferred especially for elderly
OPCs (from grapeseed and Pycnogenol)—240 to 600 mg per day of 25%
proanthocyanadins.
Flax one tsp of flax oil, one tbsp of ground flax, or 1000mg flax oil caps
each day.
EPA and Cod Liver Oil relieves intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Vitamin A 10,000 IU preformed from fish liver or palmitate sources
Protects from UV and free radical damage, and improves night vision.
Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 mg per day reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma
patients.
MSM as eye drops reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Lutein 15 to 20 mg of a high quality supplement.
Zeaxanthin (600mcg), Astaxanthin (4 to 12 mg), and carotenoids.
Zeaxanthin protects cortex of eye from UV and free radical damage
Astaxanthin may be most potent of these
Lycopene 3 mg of a high quality supplement and from cooked tomato products.
Vitamin C ascorbate or esterified form. 500 mg twice daily. Protects eye
from oxidative damage.
Quercetin 300 mg per day in three divided doses. Helps keep the lens clear.
Rutin 60 mg per day relieves intraocular pressure.
B-50 Complex folic acid, B12 and B1 content shown effective in glaucoma.
CDP-Choline 1000 mg per day alleviates chronic simple glaucoma.
Lipoic Acid 100 mg at bedtime. Boosts all other antioxidants (both oil and
water soluble).
Acetyl L-Carnitine Inhibits glycosylation of optic nerves noted in glaucoma
patients.
N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 250 to 1200 mg per day to increase glutathione
production. Glutathione is the most important antioxidant for the eye.
Glycine protects lens and macula. Removes damaging sugar from eye
(especially for diabetics).
Magnesium (400 to 500 mg) alleviates glaucoma by counteracting glutamic acid
negative effects
and improving circulation. Use a non-oxide or non-chloride form
Ginkgo (60 mg), Bilberry (Huckleberry) (320 mg of 25%), Blueberry,
Schisandra (160 mg), Eyebright (60 mg) - anthocyanoside content prevents
glaucoma. Improves circulation to eye, and reduces inflammation.
Coleus - 500 to 1000 mg per day or as eye drops reduces intraocular
pressure in glaucoma.
Milk Thistle twice daily use of phytosome form for two weeks every three
months.
Digestive Enzymes Increase glutathione synthesis. Glutathione acts as a
strong antioxidant to reduce free radical stress on the macular.
Ornithine is a precursor to glutamic acid but not to be used by those with
schizophrenia or convulsive disorders
Taurine 600 mg to help regenerate retinal tissue. Protects and
regenerates worn out tissue and damage of the optic nerve from UV oxidation.
Acetyl-l-Carnosine used as eyedrops relieves glaucoma.
Calcium Pyruvate 1000 mg per day especially helpful for diabetics
Selenium 200 mg per day alleviates glaucoma.
Chromium 200 mcg per day alleviates glaucoma.
Germanium alleviates glaucoma.
Zinc especially necessary if on estrogen therapy. Estrogen increases
cerruloplasm and increases copper levels, which displace zinc. Women using
ERT and men need 50 mg per day. Women not on ERT need 30 mg per day.
Necessary for macula and retina.
Monomethionine and picolinate are preferred forms
Manganese 30 mg per day.
Triphala 500 to 1000 mg prevents formation of new cataracts.
Vinpocetine stabilizes glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Bilberry 30mg for night vision, eye strength, and circulation to eyes.
Black Currant – 200 mg
Carotenes destroys free radicals, and protects macula.
Eyebright strengthens blood vessels in eye, lids, and surrounding tissue.
Schisandra for inflamed / tired eyes.
Copper - 2 mg necessary for the macula and retina. Use a NON-oxide form
CAUTION - CONTRAINDICATED SUBSTANCES in eye problems - fenfluramine, L-dopa,
ephedrine, balm. This paper is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to replace the services of trained healthcare practitioners.
Be sure you are not using aspartame.
http://factmed.com/report-ASPARTAME-causing-GLAUCOMA.php Betty
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