In this issue:
Meow,
Keeping Eyes on Health
Tick tock, the aging clock never stops. According to the American Geriatrics
Society, seniors over 65 account for only 12% of the U.S. population, but a full
50% of the blind population. Egad, say it isn’t so!
The primary culprits include age-related macular degeneration (AMD),
cataracts, and glaucoma, which respectively affect the macula, lens, and optic
nerve. However, AMD accounts for more cases of blindness than cataracts and
glaucoma combined!
Suffice to say, everyone should know about AMD, which affects the macula, a
small and highly sensitive part of the retina that is responsible for detailed
vision. Located at the back of the eye, the retina converts light signals to
neural signals and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain for
interpretation.
The macula relies on a very high rate of blood flow through its blood
vessels. When blood flow is constricted, the macula can malfunction and
deteriorate, resulting in vision loss, whether you’re trying to see at long
distances, read fine print, see faces clearly, or distinguish colors.
What to do? To ensure adequate supply of oxygen and vital nutrients to the
retina, it’s important to monitor:
• Smoking -- smoking causes blood vessels, including those feeding
the macula, to narrow and blood to thicken, much the same as in a heart
attack or stroke.
• Body mass – being overweight is correlated with higher CRP (a
inflammation-related protein increasingly associated with atherosclerosis)
and homocysteine levels, corresponding plaque build-up, and thus higher
incidence of macular degeneration
• Antioxidants – antioxidants protect against damaging free
radicals. A lack of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein
may increase the ability of plaque to stick to the blood vessel walls and
damage tissue.
According to research conducted by Dr. Johanna Seddon of Harvard Medical
School and Harvard School of Public Health:
“AMD is associated with immune, inflammatory, and other cardiovascular
mechanisms, and these results emphasize the need to adhere to healthy
lifestyles for your eyes and your body overall.”
Heart disease risks such as smoking, weight problems, and poor nutrition all
increase the risk of vision loss. More on
Dr. Seddon’s study here.
The Role of Lutein & Zeaxanthin in Eye Protection
In addition to healthy habits, you can also take a lesson from plants, which
produce carotenoids not only to support photosynthesis, but also to protect
against the damaging effects of the sun.
Research continues to confirm the importance of special carotenoids, lutein
and zeaxanthin (yellow carotenoids found in high-concentration in the human
macula and retina).
Lutein and zeaxanthin act like sunglass filters to protect your retina from
oxidation. Research has shown that higher dietary intake of lutein is clearly
(ha ha) associated with lower risk of developing age-related macular
degeneration and cataracts.
The good news is that you can find both of these guardians of eyesight in our
Eye Protection formula, along with eye-healthy bilberry and taurine.
Bilberry brings the active ingredient "anthocyanoside" (or anthocyandin),
which promotes optimum microvascular blood flow and interstitial fluid balances
in the macula.
Taurine -- a non-protein amino acid found in high amounts in the retina –-
has been shown to protect against retinal degeneration and has its own
antioxidant activity to boot!
Visit our site for more on our
Eye Protection formula.
General Antioxidants Critical to Eye Health,
too!
With bad boy free radicals creating mischief and evidence mounting that
oxidation and degenerative eye conditions are related, even the National Eye
Institute is touting the benefits of antioxidants such as zinc, vitamins C and
E, and beta-carotene.
Scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages
of AMD lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose
combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc.
Pssst: You can find all of these, and other powerful antioxidants like
selenium, in our
Sam’s Plus D.
Omega Three Fatty Acids Protect the Retina as well!
And, if you don’t already have enough reasons to think fish oil is the cat’s
meow,
here’s another (this article talks about the role of fish oil in retinal
health!).
Favorite Pets Update
Sheesh, this place is going to the dogs! ^..^
I’m not sure where the handsome felines are hiding these days. I’ll just have
to settle for canines this week. Thanks to our members for answering this kat’s
call for some, um, glamour shots.
Check ‘em out!
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
931 Village Blvd
Suite 905-480
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
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