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EYE and VISION HEALTH
Natural Strategies for Preventing and Reversing Vision Loss
Cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and
age-related vision changes are major causes of vision loss. These eye
diseases appear to have several common origins: free radical damage to
various parts of the eye and nutrient deficiencies. People with diets low in
antioxidants have been shown to have a higher rate of eye disease.
For example, people who take
multi vitamins or other
supplements containing vitamins C and E for
more than 10 years have been reported to have a 60% lower risk of
forming a cataract.
Vision loss does not have to be an inevitable
aspect of aging. It is possible to maintain healthy eyes and vision
well into old age by following some basic health measures.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
- Eat a diet high in "Super Foods" and antioxidant nutrients.
- Decrease carbohydrates and simple sugars in the diet. This is
especially important for preventing diabetic cataracts.
Sugars bind with body proteins to produce AGES (Advanced Glycosylated
End-products) that cause irreversible changes in the lens of
the eye.
- Drink at least 64 ounces of pure water daily.
The vitreous portion of the eye has a high water content.
- Wear high UV protection sunglasses.
PRIMARY SUPPORT
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of
antioxidants (ACES), carotenes, B complex vitamins,
selenium, zinc and bioflavonoids are particularly important for eye health.
Maxi
Greens (Advanced Phytonutrient Formula): 3 caps, 3 times per
day with meals. Bilberry, grape seed extract and ginkgo are
particularly important, but plant flavonoids in general help protect
the eyes.
Dr. Myatt’s
Eye Drops from Hell:
rinse eyes 2-4 times per day according to instructions. Use in all
eye disease EXCEPT glaucoma. (It is unknown whether increasing
general circulation to the eyes would adversely effect pressures).
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Lack of normal
stomach acid (low gastric acid) and resultant failure to absorb
nutrients from diet and supplementation can contribute to eye disease.
I recommend a
Gastric Acid
Self-Test for anyone concerned about vision
and eye health.
Please refer to the
following links for more in-depth information concerning individual
eye diseases:
For Cataracts:
-
Melatonin: 1-3mg at bedtime.
-
Bilberry extract: 1 cap, 2-3
times per day with meals (Target dose range: 120-240mg or more per
day).
-
Lipoic acid: 1 cap, 2-3
times per day with meals. (Target dose: 500mg per day).
-
Lutein and
Zeaxanthin 15 -20mg, 3 times
per week. People with the highest intakes of these two carotenoids
had only 1/2 the risk of developing cataracts as the general
population. In one study, people who supplemented these carotendoids
at the recommended dose has a significant improvement in age-related
cataracts.
- Vitamin C, E, B2 and B3 (these nutrients are
present in a daily multiple such as
Maxi Multi
in sufficient amounts to prevent cataracts). Low doses of these
nutrients are associated with higher rates of cataracts.
For Macular Degeneration :
-
Vitamin E (extra 200-400IU):
once per day with a meal. (Target dose range: 600-800IU).
-
Lutein: 5-20mg per day.
- One of the following:
•
Grape
Seed Extract: 150-300mg per day with meals.
•
Bilberry extract: 1 cap,
2-3 times per day with meals (Target dose range: 120-240mg or more
per day).
•
Ginkgo: 120-240mg per day wtih
meals.
For Glaucoma:
-
Ginkgo: 160mg per day for four
weeks, then 120mg per day thereafter.
-
Forskolin
(Coleus): 10-60mg per day. This herb can lower blood pressure. At
higher doses, this effect can be too much for people with normal
blood pressure. Monitor B.P. accordingly.
References
Jacques PF, Chylack LT Jr. Epidemiologic evidence of a role for the
antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in cataract prevention. Am J
Clin Nutr 1991;53:352S–5S.
Mares-Perlman JA, Lyle BJ, Klein R, et al. Vitamin supplement use
and incident cataracts in a population-based study. Arch Ophthalmol
2000;118:1556–63.
Knekt P, Heliovaara M, Rissanen A, et al. Serum antioxidant
vitamins and risk of cataract. BMJ 1992;305:1392–4.
Bhat KS. Nutritional status of thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine
in cataract patients. Nutr Rep Internat 1987;36:685–92.
Prchal JT, Conrad ME, Skalka HW. Association of presenile cataracts
with heterozygosity for galactosaemic states and with riboflavin
deficiency. Lancet 1978; 1:12–3.
Taylor A, Jacques PF, Nadler D, et al. Relationship in humans
between ascorbic acid consumption and levels of total and reduced
ascorbic acid in lens, aqueous humor, and plasma. Curr Eye Res
1991;10:751–9.
Jacques PF, Chylack LT Jr. Epidemiologic evidence of a role for the
antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in cataract prevention. Am J
Clin Nutr 1991;53:352S–5S.
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1994 - 2008 Dr. Myatt's Wellness Club, All Rights Reserved
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*
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