Archive for the ‘Nutritional Treatment of Disease’ Category
How can you reduce your risk of developing glaucoma?
03.25.2010People who are at the highest risk of developing glaucoma may benefit from early treatment of ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension is high pressure within the eye and is a leading risk factor for the development of the most common form of glaucoma. Ocular hypertension is the only risk factor that is adjustable. 
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and their contemporaries in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Group looked at the safety and effectiveness of earlier vs. later treatment in preventing glaucoma in people who had high intraocular pressure. It was determined that lowering intraocular pressure could delay or prevent the beginning of glaucoma although the best time to start treatment has not been determined.
Individuals who are at a lower risk for developing glaucoma may not really benefit from the early treatment of intraocular pressure and can actually be monitored over less frequent intervals than their high risk counterparts. It was determined that physicians need to consider the patient’s age and overall health when determining if early treatment is the best course of action.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
National Eye Institute Concerned that People with Macular Degeneration are not taking Eye Vitamins
11.18.2009The November-December issue of Retinal Physician contained an article by Dr. Emily Chew, Deputy Director of The Division of Ophthalmology and CLinical Research at the National Eye Institute.
Dr. Emily Chew, National Eye Institute
Dr. Chew emphasized that nutritional status is a known risk factor associated with age-related macular degeneration, including the NEI’s own Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). But she expressed several concerns.
In a 2002 Canadian study, 80% of patients with AMD were taking some form of supplements, but none were taking the recommend doses from AREDS. Although subsequent studies in the U.S.A. indicate a higher percentage of people taking the recommended doses, it is still a low number, even after specifically being instructed by their physician.
Dr. Chew wonders why, with the emotional and financial burden of worsening vision due to macular degeneration, that people are not treating their AMD appropriately.
She raises some possibilities.
First, smokers are recommended against taking high doses of beta-carotene, which excludes them from taking the complete AREDS formula. (VisiVite was the first company to manufacture AREDS-based eye vitamins for smokers.)
Secondly, some physicians recommend their patients not take high dosages of Vitamin E. (VisiVite i-Defense E-Free Formula caters to those patients who take Coumadin/warfarin.)
Unfortunately, Dr. Chew promotes only the research performed by the National Eye Institute, subtly discrediting all other research by inferring that only the AREDS formula is proven to be of benefit for macular degeneration. Nevertheless, the National Eye Institute appears to have been convinced of the benefits of Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 fish oil, including those ingredients in its current AREDS2 research. Those ingredients are available now in VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula No. 2.
Link Found Between St. John’s Wort Use and Cataracts
11.13.2009Many people suffering from depression turn to the herbal supplement, St. John’s Wort, as a natural remedy. A new study, however, found a relationship between use of the herb and the development of cataracts.
The extracts of St. John’s wort are commonly used in either tablet form or as a tea. The typical dosage amount in tablet form is 300 mg of the extract three times a day although the dosage suggested can vary greatly with different products.
The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Alabama and the results were published in the current edition of Current Eye Research. The scientists studied the relationship between St. John’s wort and cataracts. Of particular interest to the scientists was the St. John’s wort ingredient, hypericin. Prior research has indicated that hypericin is connected to the crystallization of the eye’s lenses.
More than 31,000 people age 40 and up were asked whether they had cataracts and whether they had used herbal treatments over the preceding 12 months. Those who replied that they had cataracts were 59% more likely to also report they had used St. John’s wort.
The researchers did caution that the questionnaire they used had limitations and further research needed to be done.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Phytosterols May Prevent the Development of Cancer
08.30.2009
Phytosterols, long known for their cholesterol-lowering action, are emerging as cancer-fighting powerhouses.
Phytosterols, the structural components in the cell membranes of plants, have long been known to reduce serum total and LDL cholesterol levels. Now, new research indicates that they may help to prevent cancer as well. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition last month found that phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, inhibit cancers of the stomach, lung, ovaries and breasts.
Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds similar in structure and function to cholesterol. They are found in most plant foods in low concentrations. The foods with higher concentrations include nuts, legumes, oranges, bananas, beetroot and Brussels sprouts. The highest concentrations are found in unrefined plant oils including vegetable, nut and olive oils. Whole grains, wheat germ and flax seeds are also good dietary sources of plant sterols.
According to this latest research, not only do phytosterols prevent the production of carcinogens, promote the death of cancer cells, and help prevent metastasis, but they also seem to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes which help to reduce oxidative stress on the cells.
The researchers in the study wrote that “mounting evidence supports a role for phytosterols in protecting against cancer development. Hence, phytosterols could be incorporated in the diet not only to lower the cardiovascular disease risk, but also to potentially prevent cancer development.”
Including phytosterols in your diet appears to be an important strategy in protecting against cancer development.
Dr. Krawitz’s addendum: Phytosterols are also critical to eye health, forming the oily outer layer of the natural tear film which then acts as a “vapor barrier” against the evaporation of tears. That’s why it’s included in my Dry Eye Relief Tear Stabilization Formula.
Nancy Hirsch VisiVite.Com Certified Nutritionist
U.S. Children Low in Vitamin D
08.14.2009
Many children in the United States have low vitamin D levels raising their risk for bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health problems, according to a study released earlier this week. The study was done at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in the Bronx.
Most children don't get enough vitamin D from the sun or from food.
Vitamin D deficiency was thought to be rare in the United States. Deficiency is defined as less than 15 ng/mL of blood, and insufficiency is defined as 15-29 ng/mL. The researchers found that 9 percent of children in the study (7.6 million) were vitamin D deficient and 60 percent (50.8 million)were vitamin D insufficient.
My thoughts are that the problem is even worse than this study shows, because the researchers are considering any level over 30 ng/mL to be sufficient. Optimal vitamin D levels, in my opinion, are actually more in the range of 50-60 ng/mL.
The new finding adds to the growing evidence that children, as well as many adults, have vitamin D levels that are too low. “No one had examined this issue nationwide,” said Dr. Michal L. Melamed, the lead researcher of the study.
It is believed that vitamin D levels have declined over the last 20 years because children are not spending as much time outdoors as they used to. The widespread use of sunscreens has only compounded the problem, as their application blocks beneficial UVB rays.
Just 15-20 minutes a day in the sun without sunscreen during the summer months should be enough for most children to maintain proper vitamin D levels. Sunscreen shouldn’t be applied until after they’ve been out in the sun for about 10 minutes, unless they burn very easily.
Since it is very difficult to obtain vitamin D from dietary sources alone, supplementation is advised during the winter months. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that infants, children, and teenagers should take at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
Nancy Hirsch, VisiVite.Com Certified Nutritionist
