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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Supplements For Your Eyes

I am doing a few short posts on supplements you should look into and consider. I am not listing anything that I am not personally taking. This post will be on supplements and foods for the health of your eyes. It is especially important for diabetics to pay attention to eye health.  Some of these supplements spill over into other areas of your overall health. Amongst other supplements I am personally taking at the moment:

  • Spring Valley 1000mg Bilberry (eyes and anti oxidant)
  • Spring Valley 4mg Astaxathin (eyes and anti-oxidant)
  • Lutein 20mg (eyes and anti-oxidant)
  • Milk Thistle 140mg extract (2 a day) (helps cleanse the liver of toxins)
  • Spring Valley Beta Carotene 25,000IU 1X
  • Cinnamon 500 mg 2X (blood glucose levels)
  • Pycogenol in the form of "Pine Bark Extract 150mg 1X" (promotes healthy cholesterol levels, sexual health, reduces menopausal symptoms, cancer fighting properties, asthma relief, arthritis relief, skin help immune system help, lowers blood sugar.
  • Vitamin D3 5000IU 2X (10,000 IU daily) (see previous posts on vitamin D3, calcium and Magnesium)  (CHOLECALCIFEROL) "maintains bone density, helps body's immunity against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, weakness, muscle wasting and osteoporosis)
  • Spring Valley 1000MG Fish Oil with 300MG Omega 3's (2X)
  • Vitamin E 400

I Corinthians chapter 12:14-21 /BOTH the spiritual body of believers as a whole work together and it is the same way with out physical bodies)


14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Dan

http://www.hcbl.com/product/Lutein-Bilberry/

EXCERPTS:

Uses and Benefits:
Less eye strain*
Clearer day vision*
Sharper night vision*
Both Lutein & Bilberry together is a powerful antioxidant for the eyes
Supports retinal health*
When it comes to protecting your eyes, these two powerful supplements work wonders. Together they fight free radicals, protecting delicate eye tissues, supporting tiny blood vessels around the eyes, and soothing eye strain while easing visual fatigue. Lutein supports eye health through its antioxidant properties. Included in this complex is 30mg of premium Bilberry extract, with 6mg of Lutein both proven to support good eye health.

(Listed at $8.50 for one bottle at this time from HCBL / see LINK above)

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 capsules
Each Capsule ContainsAmount Per Serving% Daily Value
Proprietary Blend:
Bilberry Extract, Lutein
72 mg*
* Daily value not established
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin.
  • Keep out of reach of children
  • Protect from heat, light, and moisture
  • Store at 15-30°C (59-86°F)
http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/lutein.htm

EXCERPTS:

Good nutrition is important to keep your eyes healthy and functioning their best throughout your lifetime. Two very important eye nutrients that may reduce your risk for macular degeneration and cataracts have names you may not be familiar with: lutein (LOO-teen) and zeaxanthin (zee-ah-ZAN-thin).
Lutein and zeaxanthin are compounds called xanthophylls (ZAN-thuh-fills), which are yellow pigments that occur naturally in many plants and vegetables. Xanthophylls belong to a class of organic compounds called carotenoids, which also includes orange and red plant pigments. Though lutein is considered a yellow pigment, in high concentrations it appears orange-red.
In nature, lutein and zeaxanthin appear to absorb excess light energy to prevent damage to plants from too much sunlight, especially from high-energy light rays called blue light.
Cooked spinach is one of the best natural food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Cooked spinach is one of the best natural food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
In addition to being found in many green leafy plants and colorful fruits and vegetables, lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations in the macula of the human eye, giving the macula its yellowish color. In fact, the macula also is called the "macula lutea" (from the Latin macula, meaning "spot," and lutea, meaning "yellow").
Recent research has discovered a third xanthophyll in the macula. Called meso-zeaxanthin, this carotenoid is not found in food sources and appears to be created in the retina from ingested lutein.
Lutein and zeaxanthin appear to have important antioxidant functions in the body. Along with other natural antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta carotene and vitamin E, these xanthophylls guard the body from damaging effects of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can destroy cells and play a role in many diseases.
In addition to important eye and vision benefits, lutein may help protect against atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits in arteries), the disease that leads to most heart attacks.

Eye Benefits of Lutein and Zeaxanthin

It is believed that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin in the macula block blue light from reaching the underlying structures in the retina, thereby reducing the risk of light-induced oxidative damage that could lead to macular degeneration (AMD).

Unawareness of Eye Health Nutrients
In a 2011 survey of Americans aged 45-65, more than half the respondents said they take nutritional supplements to protect joints, bones or heart health. But fewer than a fifth said they take eye health supplements.
In addition, 66 percent were unaware of the key role that lutein plays in eye health.
For more results of the Bausch + Lomb-sponsored survey, click here for a brief slide show.

A number of studies have found that lutein and zeaxanthin either help prevent AMD or may slow progression of the disease:
  • Research published in Nutrition & Metabolism found that a nutritional supplement containing meso-zeaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin effectively increased the optical density of the macular pigment in eyes of the majority of human subjects. The macular pigment is believed to offer protection against the development of macular degeneration.
  • Studies published in American Journal of Epidemiology, Ophthalmology and Archives of Ophthalmology found higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet are associated with a lower incidence of AMD.
  • Two studies published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science found that eyes with greater levels of macular pigments were less likely to have or develop macular degeneration.
  • In a research article published in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics in August 2010, the study authors conclude that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin filter short-wavelength light and prevent or reduce the generation of free radicals in the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. They also suggest that a mixture of these carotenoids are more effective than any one of the individual xanthophylls at the same total concentration.
(MY INPUT)


I take all three supplements at times from various health food outlets so I am NOT pushing any particular brand or store or outlet. I take Bilberry, Lutein and Astaxanthin every single day in addition to most days drinking 32 ounces of some combination of a green smoothie. lately the smoothies has consisted of 3 to 4 stalks of celery, 1 medium carrot, a handful of red grapes, and apple or 1/2 mango, usually some baby spinach or spring salad mix or kale, a teaspoon of Barley grass powder, two packets of stevia, 4 or 5 ice cubes and enough cold water added so it blends easily in my Vita Mixer.














I am a BIG believer in the PH Miracle For Diabetes line of thinking and research. One of the diabetics BIGGEST PROBLEMS (along with a host of other ailments and diseases) is INFLAMATION.

I believe one of the best ways to handle and combat inflammation is to keep your interstitial fluid which is the fluid which bathes all of your billions of cells slightly alkaline. Too much ACID causes inflammation. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables along with supplements and especially GREEN SMOOTHIES go a LONG WAY to combating overall body inflammation.

Following is a LINK to more about inflammation and how to combat it:

http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/detox/how-a-detox-diet-can-drive-inflammation-out-of-your-body

EXCERPTS:

How a Detox Diet Can Drive Inflammation Out Of your Bod

We normally associate the word inflammation with pain, swelling and redness and joint stiffness but did you know that many of the common diseases that people suffer with these days are related to chronic inflammation?
Researchers have found that chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, some cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, eczema, psoriasis, asthma, diabetes and many others are related to underlying inflammation in the body. Even aging is due to an inflammatory process in the skin. So you are probably wondering what this has to do with a detox diet?
First let’s have a look at what exactly inflammation is.
Inflammation is a normal response of the body to fight an infection. For example if you get an infection your body produces a fever a part of the process to kill the bacteria or virus that is causing it. And inflammation is part of the healing process. If you have an injury your body produces inflammation as part of the process that repairs and heals it. We could not do without it
But in some cases a low grade inflammatory process is constantly switched on. When this happens you become more susceptible to disease and the aging process. You may have low grade inflammation for hears without knowing it because the body can control it to a certain extent for a while. Then one day you start to get niggling symptoms and realize that something is not right.

What causes chronic inflammation?
Many factors, including stress, emotions, diet and lifestyle, contribute to inflammation.
  • Stress causes an increased output of cortisol from the adrenal glands which fuels inflammation.
  • Lack of sleep places a stress on the body and an increase in cortisol
  • Too much fat, sugar, protein, processed and junk foods, sodas and caffeine
  • An imbalance of organisms in your gut causes your immune system to overreact.
  • Toxins from food, water, your environment and personal care products
  • Food sensitivity or intolerance and food allergies cause low grade inflammation
  • Leaky gut – an increase in the permeability of the intestinal lining can result in toxins leaking from the bowel resulting in inflammation.
  • Obesity – the fatty tissues of the body secrete hormones that regulate the immune system and inflammation, but in the case of an overweight individual this can become out of control.
  • Dehydration makes inflammation worse
You are probably beginning to see now how a detox diet can help drive inflammation out of your body. When you cleanse your bowel and body of toxins, heal a leaky gut, restore the balance of gut organisms, reduce stress and avoid foods that contribute to inflammation you dramatically reduce and prevent inflammation.
Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods
There has been a lot of research on which foods contribute to inflammation and which foods are anti-inflammatory. The food you eat has a direct impact on the inflammation in your body.
Inflammatory foods
  • Sugar, all types (white sugar, brown sugar, confectioners sugar, corn syrup, processed corn fructose, turbinado sugar, etc)
  • Processed (refined) foods including processed meats
  • Junk food & most fast food, fried food
  • Excess red meat and fatty meat
  • High saturated fat foods
  • Food additives
  • White bread
  • Ice Cream
  • Snack Foods
  • Oils such as vegetable and corn (unless cold pressed)
  • Hydrogenated, trans fats and heated polyunsaturated oils
  • Soda, caffeine and alcohol
Anti-inflammatory foods
  • Fresh whole fruits, vegetables
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Bright multi-colored vegetables
  • Cold water low mercury oily fish
  • Green tea
  • Olive oil (good quality)
  • Lean poultry
  • Nuts, especially very fresh walnuts, legumes and seeds
  • Low glycemic load foods
  • Pure Water
  • Spices, especially Turmeric and Ginger

Ps 91:9-10

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Ps 103:1-5

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's

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