Keeping an eye on healthy vision

TORONTO, July 27, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Probably the most worrisome health concern for Baby Boomers as they age is the increased possibility of visual impairment or vision loss. For this reason, early detection is critical in successfully preventing and treating eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, before they lead to major visual changes.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the greying population for which there are no definitive medical treatments. Macular degeneration destroys the central vision by damaging a part of the retina called the macula, leaving peripheral vision unaffected. Symptoms include dim or blurry central vision, a blank or blind spot, objects appearing distorted or smaller than they are, and trouble with tasks like reading or driving.

While the cause of macular degeneration is not fully understood, there is some thought that it is partially caused by free-radical damage to the retina. Macular degeneration is caused by hardening of the arteries that nourish the retina. There are two classifications of macular degeneration: dry and wet. New abnormal blood vessels form rapidly behind the retina in wet AMD, leaking damage-causing blood and fluid to the macula. Medical treatment may include laser surgery, injectable drugs, or photocoagulation. In contrast, dry macular degeneration, which progresses slowly, is caused by build-up of drusen, small yellow deposits that form within the layer of the retina, and loss of pigment. Its advancement can be further slowed or halted by taking high doses of specific nutrients and antioxidants. These include the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin found in high concentrations in the retina but especially concentrated in the macula, vitamins A, C, and E, along with the minerals copper and zinc, as low dietary zinc levels appear to be related to an increased risk for developing AMD. In addition, a recent study1, summarized by the DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute on its website, reveals that higher intakes of DHA/EPA and fish containing long-chain omega-3 fatty acids were related to a decreased occurrence of macular degeneration in women.

Cataracts, a clouding of the lens in the eye, are another leading cause of vision loss. More than 2.5 million Canadians have cataracts. Symptoms include blurred or hazy vision, poor vision at night or in bright light, dulling or change in colour vision, loss of contrast, or seeing "ghost" images. Most cataracts are related to aging, but can be a side effect of diabetes. Cataract formation appears to be partially caused by a faulty antioxidant defense system due to a deficiency in the body's master antioxidant, glutathione. Supplementing with vitamins C, E and the mineral selenium, along with alpha lipoic acid can help increase glutathione levels. Interestingly, cataract patients tend also to be deficient in the antioxidants of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin A.

Though our eyes may be the window of our soul, it is the simple act of looking out a window with healthy eyes that matters most. Through preventative measures including a healthy diet filled with a colourful array of fresh fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants, and the addition of select natural health supplements, vision health can be maintained to ensure the glow of our golden years is filled with the colours of the rainbow.

1 Reference:
Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Fish Intake and Incident Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women
Christen, W. G. et al., Arch. Ophthamol., in press, 2011
Div. of Preventive Medicine and Aging, Dept. of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Michele Sevier Biography

Michele Sevier, DNM, DAc, is an educator and advocate of natural health and healing. As an independent advisor to Nutrition House, she is actively involved in many facets of integrative medicine including research, the formulation of specialized supplements, and providing natural health solutions to the general public through Nutrition House's 'Ask Our Expert' service at www.nutritionhouse.com.

Confronting Aging - Inside and Out

TORONTO, June 16, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - As the baby boomer generation continues to increase in age, so does its passion to remain youthful, both inside and out. Beating the clock is now a multi-faceted, science-driven industry. From its age-old quests to find the elixir of life, to modern exploration of how microcellular activity contributes to metabolic breakdown, scientific research continues to advance its goals to enhance bodily energy, vigour and performance, and fade or stall the visible signs of aging.

Early research unveiled the fact that aging, technically cell damage, is caused by lifestyle and environmental influences — a result of 'wear and tear' on the body from overuse or abuse of poor dietary and lifestyle factors, such as excess sugar, alcohol, caffeine, fat and overexposure to sunlight. However, today we also know that there are many other metabolic factors implicated in the aging process, including inflammation, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and harmful free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules, a by-product of the metabolic process that creates energy in our cells. But as is found with many other beneficial functions, there can be a detrimental consequence. In this case, the cumulative effect of free radicals takes its toll over the years, resulting in both internal and external damage. What we can't see are the compromised membranes impeding the creation of hormones, protein, and enzymes, nor the affected DNA that can lead to reproduction of faulty cells. But what we do witness daily are the facial wrinkles, sagging skin, blotches, growths and spots, along with creeping chronic aches and pains, lack of energy, and other health issues.

The body has its own natural defense system of antioxidants to seek and diffuse the negative impact of free radicals. However, not all necessary micronutrients can be manufactured by the body so they must be supplied either by a nutritious diet and/or supplementation. Scientific research is focusing on a specific antioxidant program which may help control DNA-damaging free radicals. Researchers at McMaster University have demonstrated that a complex dietary supplement, containing 31 various ingredients including antioxidants, herbals vitamins and minerals, may be effective in improving aging or age-related pathologies.

Dietary supplements provide protection to the body as a whole. Working from the inside out, they aid in supplying elements to help reduce DNA damage, facilitate cell renewal, and increase circulation, as well as other powerful health benefits. Some potent antioxidants include green tea, CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, resveratrol, vitamins A, C, E, selenium, and carotenoids like lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. For instance, green tea which is rich in polyphenols can help protect against cancer, reduce cardiovascular disease, stroke, and appears to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. And alpha lipoic acid, which helps to make cellular mitochondria more efficient thereby reducing free radical formation, also helps to fight insulin resistance and support neurological health. Although there is no one single nutrient that does it all, a combination of ingredients and products when paired together can provide the necessary benefits to keeping healthy both inside and out.

Conversely, creams and other topical preparations deliver their anti-aging benefits from the outside in. Research has shown that green tea polyphenols when used topically can help stimulate the proliferation of skin cells to assist in reversing the outward signs of aging, and in improving various skin disorders such as rosacea and psoriasis. Furthermore, green tea may protect against sun damage and sunburn, as it reduces inflammation caused by ultraviolet radiation and restores the levels of glutathione (GSH) which is the body's main endogenous antioxidant.

The vast amount of current literature and science supports the use of powerful antioxidants and critical nutrients to protect, prevent, maintain and sustain total well-being. Though the fountain of youth remains an eternal legend, a daily regime consisting of healthy diet and activities with the support of a comprehensive selection of warranted antioxidants is the common sense path to providing the foundation to youthful living.

Michele Sevier Biography

Michele Sevier, DNM, DAc, is an educator and advocate of natural health and healing. As an independent advisor to Nutrition House, she is actively involved in many facets of integrative medicine including research, the formulation of specialized supplements, and providing natural health solutions to the general public through Nutrition House's 'Ask Our Expert' service at www.nutritionhouse.com.