Nutritional Therapy for Age Related Eye Diseases

Cataracts
Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, respiratory conditions (and the medications that go with them) can contribute to the formation of cataracts.
There are more than 300 commonly prescribed medications that speed up cataract formation when coupled with sunlight exposure. Ask your pharmacist about your medication. And wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the dangers of sunlight exposure especially if you cannot find natural alternatives to your medications.

Other preventive measures for avoiding cataracts are the following:

• Vitamin C 1000mg daily
• MSM 1000mg or other glutathione booster such as reduced glutathione or NAC daily. Glutathione and Vitamin C are  the main antioxidants in the lens.
• Drink lots of water to increase the intraocular fluid circulation; avoid artificial sweeteners
• Omega-3 fatty acids play a minor role in the lens and are good for the rest of the eye
• Lutein 6-10mg daily
• Taurine 500 mg daily
• Wear protective lenses for racquet sports
• Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke
• Control diabetes
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Maintain healthy body weight
• Avoid commercial and trans fats

 Age Related Macular Degeneration

Although many medical experts contend that there is no cure for macular degeneration, many opthamologists have discovered that there are natural remedies for people who suffer from or who are at risk from the dry form of AMD.

AMD is often due to underlying conditions including: poor digestion and absorption, light bombardment and inadequate antioxidant defenses.

Many people with AMD have other medical conditions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, low thyroid function) and are taking multiple prescription drugs, contributing to borderline liver function. The liver stores and releases the fat- soluble vitamins that are crucial for sight. Antacids and reflux medications will reduce the stomach's ability to break down and absorb basic nutrients.  Nutritionists and holistic doctors recognize that the liver is the sentinel organ of the body, responding to toxic materials, production needs and distribution of essential nutritional components. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have long recognized that the liver is key to the eyes.

Also, post -menopausal women, people with blue eyes, those with AMD in their family history, and smokers are at higher risk.

The 7 year ARED (Age-Related Eye Disease) study demonstrated that antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and Zinc significantly reduced the risk of vision loss from moderate and severe macular degeneration. Other studies found benefit from adding 10 mg of Lutein to this regimen.

30% of the human retina and brain are made of that most important omega-3 fatty acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).  DHA is a major component of the retina photoreceptors. To rebuild the retina, add cold-water fatty fish to your diet and supplement with DHA which is more important than flax seeds or EPA in fish oil. 

Recommendations for AMD:

• Wear UV-protective sunglasses and hats
• Teach all of your family members to wear sunglasses
• Do not smoke
• Control high-blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and heart disease
• Eat a balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines.
• Take a daily multivitamin with 6 mg Lutein; take 10 mg Lutein if you have macular degeneration or are at risk
• Take 1000 mg of DHA for vision support
• Take 80-100 mg of gingko biloba daily
• Take 500 mg of taurine daily
• Take 3 mg of melatonin daily sublingual
• Take 15-20 mg zinc daily
• Get an annual eye exam
• Be sure your eyeglass prescription is current, and know that additional magnification is available

There are amazing new technical options being investigated, such as gene therapy, nano-technology, stem cells, and artificial vision implants.  For people who are almost blind there still remains the possibility of low vision optical aids, which are available in most communities and provided by state vision impairment agencies¹.

Recommended Nutrients Following Eye Surgery

• Quercitin 1000 mg daily
• Arnica 30c 3X daily for 1 week*
• Symphytum 30X daily for 1 week*

¹ Adapted from Robert Abel Jr., MD
*these homeopathic remedies are available at most health food stores; for complications following surgery, other remedies may be indicated or these remedies may be needed in higher potencies or longer duration. Consult a homeopath for supervision.

I recommend this product which is available in our store:
 

OcuForce™

This formula may be helpful for: Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Poor Night Vision, Preventing Vision Decline, Retinopathy, and Ocular Fatigue.
Product Contains: Vitamin A (from Palmitate, and mixed carotenoids from palm tree fruit) (Alpha Carotene 4 mg; Beta Carotene 15 mg) 3200 IU
Vitamin C (as Ascorbyl Palmitate) 100 mg
Vitamin E (Total Natural Tocopherols) 90 mg
as d-gamma 63 mg
as d-delta 17 mg
as d-alpha 7 mg/11.5 IU
as d-beta 3 mg
Vitamin B1 (as Thiamine HCl 5 mg; Pyrophosphate 5mg) 10 mg
Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin HCI; Riboflavin-5-Phosphate) 20 mg
Vitamin B3 (as Niacinamide) 10 mg
Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCl) 10 mg
Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin) 100 mcg
Zinc (TRACCS® Zinc Glycinate Chelate) 15 mg
Selenium (as Glycinate Complex) 50 mcg
Taurine 200 mg
N Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) 200 mg
Quercetin 100 mg
MirtoSelect™ (Vaccinium myrtilius)(berry) [standardized to contain 25% anthocyanidins] 100 mg
GinkgoSelect™ (Ginkgo biloba)(leaves) [standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones] 60 mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid 50 mg
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)(root) [standardized to contain 95% curcumin] 50 mg
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)(leaf) [standardized to contain 50% EGCg] 50 mg
Xangold® (Lutein Esters) 10 mg
Zeaxanthin Esters 2 mg
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, lecithin, vegetable stearate, silicon dioxide.
This product does not contain: wheat, yeast, gluten, eggs, dairy, corn, artificial colors, flavors, sugars, or preservatives.