Should Eye Vitamins Contain Ginkgo biloba
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Should Eye Vitamins Contain Ginkgo Biloba
Visual Field Improvements
The research results showed improvements in Visual field; retinal ganglion cell function or improved cognitive abilities.
Gingko Biloba Protects Eye and Brain
These positive effects could have stemmed from improved blood flow to the eye, brain and/or both. Gingko Biloba had a neuroprotective effect on brain and eyes.
Of course as everything they state “further studies are needed to determine by what mechanisms Gingko may benefit patients with glaucoma”.
If you want to read the abstract check it out here: Ginko Biloba Glaucoma Abstract
Popularity: 9% [?]
Ocular Nutrition - Keeping Eye’s Healthy Article
Ocular Nutrition - Keeping Eye’s Healthy
Ocular Nutrition - Keeping Eye’s Healthy
Interview: Dr Robert Able Jr.
What can we do to keep our eye’s healthy?
What can we do to keep our eye’s healthy?
“It’s very simple; first of all you need to protect yourself from sunlight. We are out there [outside] having good times on the beach and you need good sunglasses. Good Sunglasses block UVA [ultraviolet-A], UVB [ultraviolet-B] and possibly even blue light.
Second, you want to make good dietary choices by avoiding saturated fats and Trans fats. Have the long chain omega 3 fats in your diet. You want to have the Green leafy’s and the colorful foods and plants because they have the carotenoids and other important ingredients [great ocular nutrition tips].
You don’t want to ‘drink’ too much [alcohol] ; one cup of coffee is good for the liver too much coffee dehydrates you. Artificial sweeteners are very irritating to the eye especially with dry eyes and glaucoma. Irritating things like artificial colors and sweeteners you don’t think about “will” catch up to you [remember to eat good ocular nutritional foods and reduce or avoid the bad ones listed above].
Dr. Able goes on in the interview to talk about smoking ; stress; sunglasses; draining lymphatics.
He also discusses the importance of Eye Vitamins for night vision; Bilberry; Lutein; protecting photoreceptors; zinc and making sure you have a “Total Package” for protecting the health of your eye’s.
Read the whole article on Healthy Eye’s and Eye Vitamins Here.
Dr Able wrote the book “The Eye Care revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems]. Find a copy of Dr Ables book here Eye Care Prevent Problems
Popularity: 18% [?]
New Ocular Nutrition Lens
As I get back to working on the Ocular Nutrition blogsite NutritionOcular.com. There is always a need to increase ranking to generate more traffic.
One of my efforts to do this was to create a Squidoo Lens on Ocular Nutrition. Just started it real quick and wanted to see how it would affect traffic and rankings.
You can check out the Squidoo Lend here New Ocular Nutrition Lens On Squidoo
I have some draft articles for this site so hang on for more Eye Vitamins and nutrients insight.
Let me know with a comment or post what else you would like to see or researched.
Popularity: 21% [?]
Age Related Macular Degeneration Explained Video
Age Related Macular Degeneration Explained
Check out this page for a new video on Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD, AMD). I wanted to try and add video to the site and see how it turns out.
Let me know what you think? Click on the links below:
Macular Degeneration Explained or here: http://nutritionocular.com/macular-degeneration-vitamin/age-related-macular-degeneration-video/
I’m still working on proper placement and spacing of the video. However, please don’t let that get in the way of a professional video by Patrick J. Riedel, M.D. of Minnesota Eye Consultants his website is www.mneye.com.
Remember if you think you have symptoms of macular degeneration see your eye doctor immediately.
Popularity: 23% [?]
Ocular Nutrition with Omega 3’s & Fish Oil
Ocular Nutrition with Omega 3’s & Fish Oil
Fish Oil capsules are some of the best ways of obtaining Omega 3 Fatty Acids other than eating the fish themselves. These are the essential fatty acids (EFAs) mentioned in the last post.
The AREDS I study showed that patients with reduced dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids had an increased risk of AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration). Stated another way since I am more of an optimist - patients that increased their intake of omega-3, lutien and zeaxanthin reduced their risk for AMD.
These nutrients need more study which is what AREDS II trial is attempting to perform. The dietary portion of the AREDS I trial showed that patients who consumed 2 servings of fish per-week had less progression of their AMD.
It would take a major life change for me to be able to consume that much fish a week, which is why I take fish Oil supplements or vitamins. When I first began taking them I burped them and had a fishy after taste, Yuck! However, I shortly learned thereafter that the enteric coated fish oil capsules did not create burping or have a fishy after taste,whew. My friends and family are thanking me for the change.
Be sure to look for the Enteric Coated fish oil capsules and take them with food. Your eye’s macular health friends and family will thank you too.
Popularity: 80% [?]
Feeding the Brain for Ocular Nutrition or Blogging
Feeding the Brain whether blogging or not
What ocular nutrition vitamins and minerals can help your mind stay alert. I was reading on http://www.problogger.net about a birthday contest they had and was inspired to write a blogging tip that could benefit brain function. Of course this can be used for any function but blogging was the orignial inspiration.
More and more results are coming in from research labs around the country that the right food, or the natural neurochemicals they contain, enhance mental capabilities. Now this can help you concentrate and rev-up sensorimotor skills, assist motivation, magnify memory, speed reaction times. They have also been known to defuse stress and even prevent some brain aging.
Some fatty acids — called essential fatty acids (EFAs) — are necessary to our diet, because our body can’t produce them. To stay healthy, we must obtain these fatty acids from our food.
The two types of EFAs are omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, may benefit eye health as well as your intellectual faculties.
This fat is found most commonly in fish. Even diets that adhere commonly recommended levels of fats, but the wrong kind, can undermine intelligence and good ocular nutrition. What makes this finding awkward is that certain oils widely touted as healthy for the heart are especially troublesome for the mind. So if you are working in an industry that requires you to stay sharp, (an example could be writing for a blog) it is good to eat the right kinds of foods.
Omega-3s are known to be particularly crucial constituents of the outer membrane of brain cells. It is through the fat-rich cell membrane that all nerve signals must pass. In addition, as learning and memory forge new connections between nerve cells, new membranes must be formed to house them. All brain cell membranes continuously need to replenish themselves with a new supply of fatty acids. A growing amount of research suggests that the omega-3s are best suited for optimal brain function.
Essential fatty acids are also critical for proper visual development in infants. Also, deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids in adults (particularly omega-3) can lead to impaired vision. Studies suggest that prolonged deficiencies may increase the risk of damage to the retina.
A great way to get your essential omega-3 fats is to eat plenty of fish. Perhaps a good snack would be some of those fish steaks in a can with some wheat crackers. Yes tuna and salmon can be good as well (just in case you like those better).
I’ll have to write more on this later.
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Eat these Ocular Nutritional Foods
We can read about eye vitamins and supplements and read about specific antioxidants but I want more!
What if I want to go natural and eat healthy foods? What Vegetables and Fruits can help stregthen my eyes and provide the nutrients they need?
Well I have collected some great Eye Health and Nutrition information just for you.
Click on this link for Nutrition and Eye Health facts you need.
Popularity: 82% [?]
“Hi-Health:Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000 Part 2
“Hi-Health:Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000 Part 2 continued from Part 1
“Hi-Health: Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000 Part 2 continued from Part 1
If you have not read Part 1 yet read it now. Basically Hi-Health made unsubstantiated claims that their formula was able to repair damage from age-related macular degeneration. Their marketing plan used a well know spokesman, known for telling the truth to pass along their advertising. This became known as “paul harvey ocular nutrition” or “Paul Harvey’s Premier formula for Ocular Nutrition”.
As I mentioned in the previous post I am very fond of Paul Harvey and his radio program. I believe these unscrupulous business people used him and the weight of Paul’s radio show. This did work very well for hi-health, Paul Harvey does his job very well and there are still people looking for this formula.
“The FTC’s complaint alleged that the Hi-Health made unsubstantiated claims that their Premier Ocular Nutrition formula ‘restores vision lost from age-related macular degeneration and eliminates floaters’, and falsely claimed that nutritional studies in responsible medical journals confirm that the ingredients available in Ocular Nutrition may help individuals with cataracts and/or floaters.”
Now according to the FTC, there are no nutritional studies in responsible medical journals that confirm the respondents’ claims. According to the complaint, and a statement issued by the National Eye Institute, verified this as well.
Yet there is more…
Click the Paul Harvey Ocular Nutrition & Hi-Health Part 2 for some of the actual script of the ads very strong marketing you have to read this.
Popularity: 84% [?]
AREDS Formula for Ocular Nutrition
AREDS Formula for Ocular Nutrition
Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Formula for Ocular Nutrition
The National Eye Institute division of National Institute of Health released this information about how certain antioxidants, Vitamins and Zinc Reduce Risk of Vision Loss from Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc.
Another high risk group reduced their risk 19%.
The clinical trial — called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) — was sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health.
“The nutrients are not a cure for AMD, nor will they restore vision already lost from the disease,” Dr. Sieving said. “But they will play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their vision.”
For more information on AREDS formula used in the study, the treatment and more specifics on how AREDS became one of the foundational building blocks to Ocular Nutrition and the Eye Vitamin industry see this AREDS page.
Popularity: 71% [?]
“Hi-Health:Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000
“Hi-Health:Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000
“Hi-Health:Ocular Nutrition” Dietary Supplement Fined $450,000 - Part 1
Here’s the post I promised when I stated “In a future post I will reference what happened to one company that was overzealous in their claims.” here AMD Cured.
Hi-Health Supermart Corp and its owner Simon Chaplin ended up settling with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) after making unsubstantiated claims about “Premier Formula for Ocular Nutrition-Optima 3 (Ocular Nutrition).
Their claims were:
1) Their Ocular Nutrition Formula could restore vision already lost from age-related macular degeneration.
2) And eliminate floaters (small specks moving in the field of vision).
The FTC Administrative Consent Agreement banned the respondents from these specific claims of their ocular nutrition or any similar supplement. That is unless they had competent and reliable scientific evidence to support their claims. It also required the $450,000 to be paid to the FTC.
Read more here at Paul Harvey Ocular Nutrition
Popularity: 100% [?]
More Ocular Nutrition Evidence
More Ocular Nutrition Evidence
AMD Risk Reduction 34%
A new 2007 study by William G. Christen, PhD, resulted in reduced risk of confirmed age-related macular degeneration by 34 percent.
The study contained women age 40 and above and was randomized study. These ladies had or were at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
The study was “The Women’s Antioxidant Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study” and found that the combination of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 (great ocular nutrition - eye vitamin ingredients) reduced the risk of confirmed age-related macular degeneration at the thirty-four percent rate.
It also showed to reduce the risk of visually significant AMD by 41 percent over seven years of treatment and follow-up.
I’ve read about vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 but this is the first article I have read about folic acid being used in a study and regarded as another possible ocular nutrient.
REFERENCE
Christen WG, Glynn RJ, Chew EY, Manson JE. Folic acid plus B-vitamins and age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial in women. Abstract 1152. Paper presented at: Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO); May 7, 2007; Fort Lauderdale, FL.
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Dry AMD Cured?
Dry AMD Cured?
Dry AMD Cured?
While researching writings by Benjamin Caballero at Johns Hopkins University.1 I was reminded of a major change affecting the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1958—FD&C Act (FDA) that occurred in 1994.
Dietary supplements were under the regulatory authority of the FDA prior to 94. However, the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA) removed the FDA’s authority over dietary supplements by excluding them.
With those provisions, dietary ingredients used in dietary supplements are no longer subject to the pre-market safety evaluations required of other new foods (and medications).
After a product is marketed the FDA must show that a dietary supplement is “unsafe,” before it can take action to restrict, or remove the product from the marketplace.
Caution must be taken by the consumer to read carefully what retailers state on their websites, and marketing materials for supplements, vitamins and nutrients.
It is illegal to state that their products “cure”. Evidence and scientific studies must prove and be documented and recognized by the FDA for marketing materials that talk of a cure.
In a future post I will reference what happened to one company that was overzealous in their claims.
1 Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2005.
A link to Professor B Caballero
Link to FDA
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Help Chronic Eye Disease with Vitamins?
Help Chronic Eye Disease with Vitamins?
Help Chronic Eye Disease with Vitamins?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts are increasing exponentially as the proportion of elderly (read Baby Boomers) continues to rise.
Results of the observational studies suggest that a healthy lifestyle with a diet containing foods rich in antioxidants, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as n–3 fatty acids, appears beneficial for AMD and possibly cataract. The AREDS II is evaluating some of these additional nutrients as dietary supplements in randomized trials.1
There have been several studies on certain carotenoids that protect the retina from oxidative damage. There is another antioxidant that I’ll be writing on soon that is one the most effective in nature. It is said to be numerous times more effective than beta carotine and Vitamin E, now that sounds like some powerful ocular nutrition.
1 From the Abstract of Johanna M Seddon Jan 2007 From the Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Ocular Nutrition Asks: Do Snack Foods Increase AMD Risk?
Ocular Nutrition Asks: Do Snack Foods Increase AMD Risk?
Ocular Nutrition Asks: Do Snack Foods Increase AMD Risk?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration in people over 50 is the leading cause of vision loss. Just looking at the U.S. 10% of people over 65 have “some” AMD, this number increases as you get older.
AMD is preventable similar to other eye conditions. Your eye has a small yellow spot called the macula. This is in the back of your eye and it covers the end of the optic nerve.
The macula is yellow from carotenoids it contains – specifically lutein and zeaxanthin great ocular nutritional helpers. Yes, eating lutein and zeaxanthin rich foods can help protect this area of the eye, which is super sensitive.
A study done at Harvard by Dr. Johanna Seddon and colleagues found that higher intakes of fatty foods and trans fats, which is found in large numbers in snack foods, increases your risk of AMD. This same study also found that eating carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables reduced the risk of AMD.1 These ocular nutrients rank high in strengthening the health of your eye.
It is never too late to begin taking measures to prevent progression of AMD by adding foods high in carotenoids for protective measures.
Taking ocular nutritional supplements or eye vitamins containing lutein and zeaxanthin reduced the progression of AMD by 20% as discovered by Researchers at the National Eye Institute.
So let’s start beefing up those diets with more fruits and vegetables strengthening your ocular nutrition before problems arise or existing ones get worse!
1 Seddon, JM; et al; Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins A, C, and E, and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration JAMA 1994;272:1455-6
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Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD & AMD)
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD & AMD)
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD & AMD)
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition occurring in the macula also known as the central retina.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a disease that destroys your sharp, central vision.
AMD is caused by arterial damage, which decreases blood flow into the capillaries. These capillaries nourish the macula and retina. AMD denies this sensitive retinal tissue the oxygen and nutrients that are necessary for it to perform and flourish. This deprivation of nutrients is what results in central vision deterioration.
The macula is located at the center of the retina; it is the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. The retina sends light from the eye to the brain.
Macular degeneration severity varies in individuals. At worst, ARMD or AMD causes a complete loss of “central” vision. This makes it impossible to drive and even read. For some, it may only cause a slight distortion.
Sometimes, AMD advances so slowly that you do not notice the small change in your vision. However, in others it progresses faster as is very noticeable. Fortunately, macular degeneration does not affect the peripheral vision and cause total blindness.
Macular degeneration is often detected through regular comprehensive eye exams prior to causing vision loss. Scientific studies have revealed that proper treatment and ocular nutrition can slow vision loss, although it does not “restore” vision.
Science has demonstrated that people with diets high in fruits and vegetables (yes, especially dark green leafy vegetables and berries) have a lower incidence of macular degeneration.
The Age Related Eye Disease (ARED) study which took close to seven years was conducted by The National Eye Institute.
This ARED study confirmed a 25% decrease in the progression of diagnosed macular degeneration in individuals that supplemented their diets with specific minerals and antioxidants (ocular nutrition).
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Helping You Make Sense of Ocular Nutrition!
NutritionOcular.com is proud to support you in your quest for information on Ocular Nutrition.What are facts and what is fiction of good ocular nutrition. Can taking supplements or vitamins help my eyes or increase your ocular health?
Answers to these types of questions may be found here. Here’s to your ocular health with sound nutrition!
Popularity: 18% [?]
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