Keep Vision Sharp with These Key Nutrients

Al Sears, MD

Worried about losing your eyesight in old-age?

Age-related macular degeneration, (AMD) affects more Americans than glaucoma and cataracts combined. As you grow older, your risk increases dramatically.

Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to prevent it from happening to you. You're about to learn a few simple steps you can take to avoid it.

Two new studies have shown that age-related macular degeneration can be prevented through a diet containing the right amount of a few simple nutrients.

In the first study, researchers evaluated 4,519 people aged 60 to 80.¹ Patients were first assessed for signs of macular degeneration. If they had it, the researchers then determined how far it had progressed. Patients also completed a food questionnaire that measured intake of certain vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients such as fatty acids.

The researchers found that people who ate more fish -- more than two medium servings per week or more than one serving of broiled or baked fish -- were least likely to have the disease.

A second team of researchers analyzed data from 7,752 people taking part in a large national study between 1988 and 1994. Eleven percent of the patients had AMD.² Here they found that vitamin D was associated with reduced risk of early AMD, but not advanced AMD.

When participants were split into five groups based on the level of vitamin D in the blood, those in the highest group had a 40% lower risk of early AMD than those in the lowest group. Vitamin D may cut the risk of early age-related macular degeneration by reducing inflammation or preventing blood vessel growth in the retina.

While these new studies are helpful, they don't tell the whole story. There are a number of other essential nutrients that can also reduce the risk of AMD and improve your eyesight.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that go hand in hand to stave off AMD. They are the most potent combination of carotenoids we know of. Lutein and zeaxanthin are naturally present in the retina, and highly concentrated in the macula.

Multivitamins often include only vitamin A and beta-carotene. Some manufacturers don't realize the importance of mixed carotenoids. Others don't include them to keep costs down. Make sure to look at the label of your multivitamin. It should say, "mixed carotenoids" or list carotenoids separately.

People with higher concentrations of these two carotenoids in the retina tend not to develop AMD because they increase the density of macular pigment. The higher the density, the more protection your eyes have.

Tocopherols (types of vitamin E) are another mixture of potent eye protectors. Tocopherols are powerful free radical destroyers. JAMA published a study which proved that increased intake of these nutrients lowered the risk of AMD.³

The best way to get tocopherols is as a mix. There are four types of tocopherols. Look for supplements that say, "mixed tocopherols." I recommend 400 IU of mixed tocopherols a day.

By upping your intake of these key nutrients now, you'll go a long way to protect yourself from the most common cause of vision loss in old age.

References

1. "The Relationship of Dietary Lipid Intake and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Case-Control Study: AREDS Report No. 20 Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group," Archives of Ophthalmology 2007; (125):671-679.
2. "Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994." Archives of Ophthalmology, Niyati Parekh et al, 2007; (125)661-669.
   
3. Van Leeuwen et al. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005. 294:3101-3107.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears, Chairman of the Board of Total Health Breakthroughs, is a practicing physician and the author of The Doctor's Heart Cure. He is a leading authority on longevity, physical fitness and heart health. For more information, click here.]

Nutrients & Health: Healing Herbs of the Amazon: Part 2: Sangre de Grado (Dragon's Blood) Dr. David Kamnitzer

Imagine if a modern drug company reported about a new promising compound that seemed to exhibit the following properties (and with no side effects!):

Speeds wound healing; stops bleeding; kills bacteria; kills fungi; kills viruses; relieves diarrhea; reduces pain and inflammation; relieves itching.

I'd buy stock in that company in a "New York Minute"!

Fortunately (in my opinion), there already exists a natural (and unpatentable) plant that exhibits all of these properties -- sangre de grado, or dragon's blood.

Leslie Taylor, the well-known and respected naturopath and expert on South American Herbology, tells us in her classic text: The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs that,"Sangre de Grado is a medium- to large-sized tree that grows from 10-20 meters high in the upper Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia .... When the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a dark red, sappy resin oozes out as if the tree is bleeding ..."

Both the resin and the bark have been used in various healing traditions. In the United States, the use of the resin is more common. The resin is a very red sap that appears to be completely safe -- however, it will permanently stain clothing!

Once or twice a day, 10-15 drops of sangre de grado can be taken internally (in a small amount of liquid) to reduce gastric inflammation and healing, and for its anti-microbial properties.

Dr. Taylor, in the aforementioned text tell us that, "Applied (topically) directly to the affected area, it is helpful for all types of cuts, scrapes, external wounds, bites, stings, rashes, and skin problems, including skin and nail fungi."

Externally, the resin can be applied directly to the affected area twice daily. Although your skin will be stained, the stain is only temporary and will wash off.

Here are some other observations about sangre de grado made by well-known researchers:

• "Not only does Sangre de Grado prevent pain sensation, it also blocks the tissue response to a chemical released by nerves that promotes inflammation. There is currently no other substance that we know of that shares these same activities." -- Dr. John Wallace.¹ Wallace also notes that isolation of the active ingredient in sangre de grado could lead to new therapies for a wide range of inflammatory diseases, including asthma, arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
• According to famed botanist, Dr. James Duke, "Several compounds in it... have antiviral and wound-healing properties that may be especially useful against the viral sores caused by herpes. The natural mixture of all three compounds heals wounds four times faster than the individual compounds alone."²

Many individuals report success with sangre de grado for helping the body to heal fungal infections of the nails. I am particularly excited about this application, since the most common drug used for this health challenge has some serious potential side effects and necessitates medical monitoring of liver function (not to mention that in the US, it costs several hundred dollars per month and must be taken for several months!).

As part of a "first-aid" kit, it can come in really handy to stop bleeding. For this purpose, rub it in and it will thicken the resin into a lighter colored paste that helps form a "second skin" on top of a wound.

Sangre de grado has no reported contraindications or drug interactions. It is a wonderful example of the safety, effectiveness, and multi-faceted nature of many of the herbs of the Amazon Rainforest.

References

1. Wallace, J Natural Science May 15, 2000.
2. Duke, JA, The Green Pharmacy, Rodale Press, 1997.

[Ed Note: David Kamnitzer, D.C. is an expert at helping people achieve high levels of health and well-being -- far beyond what is available simply through drugs and surgery alone. He combines his 20-year clinical experience and extensive knowledge in structural, nutritional, and energetic balancing to offer individuals cutting-edge approaches to healing. To learn more, click here. ]

Healthy Recipes: Snapper with Thyme, Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives By Kelley Herring

This elegant one-dish seafood delight is made with yellowtail snapper — a more sustainable choice than red or mutton snapper. In addition to being earth-friendly, this dish provides nearly 100% of the RDI for selenium — an antioxidant micronutrient that helps boost the immune system and protect against the influenza virus.¹

Time To Table: 30 minutes

Serves 4

Healing Nutrients Spotlight

• Excellent source of protein, potassium, selenium, omega-3
• Good source of magnesium
• Low sugar, gluten free

Ingredients
6 organic plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 whole shallots, chopped
4 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10 large kalamata olives, halved
24 ounces yellowtail snapper (4-6 oz. fillets)

Preparation
Combine the plum tomatoes, shallots, and chopped thyme in a small bowl. Cut two sheets of aluminum foil about 18 inches long and place them on the work surface. Drizzle 1/2 Tbsp of the olive oil in the center of each piece of foil. Place two snapper fillets side by side in the center of each piece of foil. Top with the tomato mixture, and sprinkle with olives. Drizzle the fish with the remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil. Fold the foil over each packet, enclosing the contents completely and crimping the edges to seal tightly. (This can be prepared up to 6 hours ahead and refrigerated.) Preheat the oven to 450°. Place a large baking sheet in the oven and heat 10 minutes. Place the foil packets on the heated baking sheet. Bake until the fish is opaque in the center, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven; let stand 5 minutes. Serve over brown rice.


Nutrition Information
274 kcal Calories, 10.54 g Total Fat, 1.64 g Saturated fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 6.37 g Monounsaturated fat, 1.74 g Polyunsaturated fat, 62.16 mg Cholesterol, 202 mg Sodium, 7.88 g Carbohydrate, 1.58 g Fiber, 2.45 g Sugars, 35.91 g Protein

Reference

1. FASEB Journal Express, 2001 (DOI 01-0115) online at http://www.fasebj.org.

[Ed. Note: Kelley Herring is the Founder & CEO of Healing Gourmet. She is also the creator of Healing Gourmet's Personalized Nutrition Software and Editor-in-Chief of the Healing Gourmet book series published by McGraw-Hill, including Eat to Fight Cancer, Eat to Beat Diabetes, Eat to Lower Cholesterol and Eat to Boost Fertility. For more information, click here.]

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 06-06-08] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/