They could part with this everyday with your children and other family members and their chances to go blind for life.
Do you think that butter, which is full of saturated fat is bad for your health? Have not all the health nutritionists and doctors were telling us that in the last 20-30 years?
Now I ask ... Compared to what?
Now we have vegetables (corn, soybean, safflower and others), which are heated when they connect named hne. This combination attacks your arteries, nerves and eye tissue. It acts as sulfuric acid, which is used to etch glass.
hne has established itself as a contribution to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, liver disease and macular degeneration (ARMD).
macular degeneration is a medical condition which results in a loss of vision in the middle of the visual field (the macula), because of damage to the retina.
This was discovered when Dr. Paul Beaumont, an Australian doctor, through research found that it was a ten-fold (1000%) increase in macular degeneration in the last 10-25 years .. Dr. Beaumont and other researchers observed that this happened by chance, as the general public no longer with butter and lard, as concerns about the saturated fatty acids. We do not have been said for decades that saturated fat is bad for our health?
Virtually every baby boomer was consumed vegetable oil in one form or another since its birth. Today it is almost impossible to find processed foods that do not contain or has been with vegetable oil. For example, some tune is packed in vegetable oil. You can find it in bread and salad dressings, dips, cookies, crackers and fried foods.
If you value your eyesight and vision of your children, the consumption of vegetable oil and related products right now!
Do not believe any of the propaganda on vegetable oil as a "heart healthy" - it is not - it has probably helped millions of deaths and tens of thousands of cases of macular degeneration. Fifteen million in the U.S. currently have a degree of macular degeneration.
macular degeneration is a terrible disease and vision can deteriorate within a few months to blindness. With the absolute best medical treatment available today, only about 10% are able to save some degree of eyesight. Throw all: any kind of vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, margarine and everything associated with vegetable oil.
Andrew Schneider says that "America's favorite breakfast is bacon and eggs - and often it is cooked in a product that contains the same chemical that damaged and destroyed the lungs of hundreds of popcorn and food-flavoring plant workers."
He does not say on what this product is, but we all know, it's margarine. Margarine is a form of vegetable oil. Margarine is also used as a substitute for butter and, when heated it releases a vapor from the chemical additive called diacetyl. If this steam is inhaled it could lead to a fatal respiratory disease called bronchiolitis obliterans.
Switch to organic coconut oil, olive oil, macadamina oil and, if nothing else is available, lard. Schmalz, believe it or not, is better than any kind of vegetable oil.
Do not wait for the medical BIG announcement. Remember that the FDA and many other agencies are slow to respond to such questions are described above. They do not want to panic the public. Often times, if it is an announcement of a lot of damage has already been done and it could be 20 + years "undo" the damage.
Do not be a victim!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Despite bad rap, yolks have nutrition benefits
By Carolyn O'Neil
Contributor
Thursday, October 16, 2008
It may be time to rethink the egg-white omelet. Saying no to yolks isn’t always the healthiest thing to do, because when you throw out the yolk you’re missing out on some pretty powerful nutrients. While the white of a large egg is virtually fat- free and a bit higher in protein than the yolk (3.6 grams compared to 2.7 grams protein), the yellow center is where nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and other compounds, are stored.
GOOD FOR YOUR EYES. A recent study in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology found a link between two anti-oxidants found in egg yolks —- lutein and zeaxanthin —- and the prevention of macular degeneration, which causes age-related blindness. Some brands of eggs, including Eggland’s Best, contain about 25 percent more lutein than regular eggs.
GOOD FOR YOUR MIND. Yolks are a good source of choline, a nutrient that helps maintain the structure of brain cells. Choline is especially important for fetal brain development. Two eggs provide about 250 milligrams of choline, or roughly half the recommended daily intake for pregnant women.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHOLESTEROL? The reason the egg-white omelet became so popular was to offer a cholesterol-free experience to diners. And according to the American Heart Association, healthy people should limit their dietary cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams a day (200 if you have heart disease). The yolk of a large egg contains about 210 milligrams of cholesterol, so you do the math. But not everyone in the health and nutrition world agrees with the AHA’s advice. In fact, a recent Physicians Health Study of 21,000 men reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no link between those who ate up to six eggs per week and the risk of dying of heart attack or stroke. What most everyone does seem to agree on is that saturated fats do raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. So go easy on the bacon, sausage and butter that often surround your breakfast eggs.
THE EGG’S A BARGAIN. Whether you’re cutting calories or pinching pennies, eggs fit the bill. You get a lot of bang for your buck nutritionally and financially. Isn’t a baker’s dozen 13 of something? Well, it’s interesting to note that one egg contains 13 essential nutrients and all for only 75 calories, including high-quality protein, folate, iron and zinc. So eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods, which means they offer a lot of nutrition per calorie. And when it comes to real bucks, eggs are still one of the best buys on restaurant menus and at the supermarket, too.
Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!” E-mail her at carolyn @carolynoneil.com.
Contributor
Thursday, October 16, 2008
It may be time to rethink the egg-white omelet. Saying no to yolks isn’t always the healthiest thing to do, because when you throw out the yolk you’re missing out on some pretty powerful nutrients. While the white of a large egg is virtually fat- free and a bit higher in protein than the yolk (3.6 grams compared to 2.7 grams protein), the yellow center is where nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and other compounds, are stored.
GOOD FOR YOUR EYES. A recent study in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology found a link between two anti-oxidants found in egg yolks —- lutein and zeaxanthin —- and the prevention of macular degeneration, which causes age-related blindness. Some brands of eggs, including Eggland’s Best, contain about 25 percent more lutein than regular eggs.
GOOD FOR YOUR MIND. Yolks are a good source of choline, a nutrient that helps maintain the structure of brain cells. Choline is especially important for fetal brain development. Two eggs provide about 250 milligrams of choline, or roughly half the recommended daily intake for pregnant women.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHOLESTEROL? The reason the egg-white omelet became so popular was to offer a cholesterol-free experience to diners. And according to the American Heart Association, healthy people should limit their dietary cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams a day (200 if you have heart disease). The yolk of a large egg contains about 210 milligrams of cholesterol, so you do the math. But not everyone in the health and nutrition world agrees with the AHA’s advice. In fact, a recent Physicians Health Study of 21,000 men reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no link between those who ate up to six eggs per week and the risk of dying of heart attack or stroke. What most everyone does seem to agree on is that saturated fats do raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. So go easy on the bacon, sausage and butter that often surround your breakfast eggs.
THE EGG’S A BARGAIN. Whether you’re cutting calories or pinching pennies, eggs fit the bill. You get a lot of bang for your buck nutritionally and financially. Isn’t a baker’s dozen 13 of something? Well, it’s interesting to note that one egg contains 13 essential nutrients and all for only 75 calories, including high-quality protein, folate, iron and zinc. So eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods, which means they offer a lot of nutrition per calorie. And when it comes to real bucks, eggs are still one of the best buys on restaurant menus and at the supermarket, too.
Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!” E-mail her at carolyn @carolynoneil.com.
Raspberries Raspberries
Fragrantly sweet with a subtly tart overtone and almost-melt-in-your-mouth texture, raspberries are wonderfully delicious and are usually in limited supply. Most cultivated varieties of raspberries are grown in California from June through October.
A member of the rose family and a bramble fruit like the blackberry, raspberries are delicately structured with a hollow core. Raspberries are known as "aggregate fruits" since they are a compendium of smaller seed-containing fruits, called drupelets, that are arranged around a hollow central cavity.
Food Chart
This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Raspberries provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Raspberries can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Raspberries, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.
Health Benefits
Red raspberry is most often the source of a dietary supplement sold in many health food stores called ellagic acid. This substance found naturally in raspberries belongs to the family of phytonutrients called tannins, and it is viewed as being responsible for a good portion of the antioxidant activity of this (and other) berries.
Phytonutrients for Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticarcinogenic Protection
As an antioxidant food containing ellagic acid, raspberries help prevent unwanted damage to cell membranes and other structures in the body by neutralizing free radicals. Ellagic acid is not the only well-researched phytonutrient component of raspberry, however. Raspberry's flavonoid content is also well documented. Here the key substances are quercetin, kaempferol, and the cyanidin-based molecules called cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. These flavonoid molecules are also classified as anthocyanins, and they belong to the group of substances that give raspberries their rich red color. Raspberries' anthocyanins also give these delectable berries unique antioxidant properties, as well as some antimicrobial ones, including the ability to prevent overgrowth of certain bacteria and fungi in the body (for example, the yeast Candida albicans, which is a frequent culprit in vaginal infections and can be a contributing cause in irritable bowel syndrome).
Additionally, research is suggesting that raspberries may have cancer protective properties. Research with animals has suggested that raspberries have have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation in various parts of the body, including the colon.
Antioxidants Unique to Raspberries Provide Powerful Protection
Raspberries possess almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwis, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes, shows research conducted in the Netherlands and published in the journal BioFactors.
The biggest contribution to raspberries' antioxidant capacity is their ellagitannins, a family of compounds almost exclusive to the raspberry, which are reported to have anti-cancer activity. Vitamin C contributes about 20% of the total antioxidant capacity, accounting for up to 30 milligrams in 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of fruit. Raspberries anthocyanins, especially cyanidin and pelagonidin glycosides, make up another 25%. And more good news: freezing and storing raspberries does not significantly affect their antioxidant activity, although in this study, their concentration of vitamin C was halved by the freezing process.
Plus Vitamin and Mineral Antioxidants
In addition to their unique phytonutrient content, raspberries are filled with traditional nutrients, primarily in the antioxidant and B vitamin categories. Raspberries emerged from our nutrient ranking system as an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, two critical antioxidant nutrients that help protect the body's tissue from oxygen-related damage. They also qualified as a good source of riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium and copper. Coupled with this strong B vitamin and mineral content, raspberries qualified as "excellent" in terms of dietary fiber. This combination of nutrients makes raspberries a great fruit choice for having minimal impact on blood sugars.
Promote Optimal Health
Research published in Cancer Letters provides one reason why diets high in fruit help prevent cancer: raspberries, blackberries and muscadine grapes inhibit metalloproteinase enzymes. Although essential for the development and remodeling of tissues, if produced in abnormally high amounts, these enzymes play a significant role in cancer development by providing a mechanism for its invasion and spread.
Protection against Macular Degeneration
Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
In this study, which involved over 110,000 women and men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss. While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARMD, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but raspberries can help you reach this goal. Top your morning cereal or lunch time yogurt or cottage cheese with fresh raspberries. Transform the taste and presentation of any green salad with a handful of raspberries and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Blend frozen raspberries with a spoonful of honey and some vanilla soy milk, freeze for 20 minutes, then spoon into serving cups and decorate with a sprig of mint for an elegant, healthy treat.
A member of the rose family and a bramble fruit like the blackberry, raspberries are delicately structured with a hollow core. Raspberries are known as "aggregate fruits" since they are a compendium of smaller seed-containing fruits, called drupelets, that are arranged around a hollow central cavity.
Food Chart
This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Raspberries provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Raspberries can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Raspberries, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.
Health Benefits
Red raspberry is most often the source of a dietary supplement sold in many health food stores called ellagic acid. This substance found naturally in raspberries belongs to the family of phytonutrients called tannins, and it is viewed as being responsible for a good portion of the antioxidant activity of this (and other) berries.
Phytonutrients for Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticarcinogenic Protection
As an antioxidant food containing ellagic acid, raspberries help prevent unwanted damage to cell membranes and other structures in the body by neutralizing free radicals. Ellagic acid is not the only well-researched phytonutrient component of raspberry, however. Raspberry's flavonoid content is also well documented. Here the key substances are quercetin, kaempferol, and the cyanidin-based molecules called cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. These flavonoid molecules are also classified as anthocyanins, and they belong to the group of substances that give raspberries their rich red color. Raspberries' anthocyanins also give these delectable berries unique antioxidant properties, as well as some antimicrobial ones, including the ability to prevent overgrowth of certain bacteria and fungi in the body (for example, the yeast Candida albicans, which is a frequent culprit in vaginal infections and can be a contributing cause in irritable bowel syndrome).
Additionally, research is suggesting that raspberries may have cancer protective properties. Research with animals has suggested that raspberries have have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation in various parts of the body, including the colon.
Antioxidants Unique to Raspberries Provide Powerful Protection
Raspberries possess almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwis, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes, shows research conducted in the Netherlands and published in the journal BioFactors.
The biggest contribution to raspberries' antioxidant capacity is their ellagitannins, a family of compounds almost exclusive to the raspberry, which are reported to have anti-cancer activity. Vitamin C contributes about 20% of the total antioxidant capacity, accounting for up to 30 milligrams in 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of fruit. Raspberries anthocyanins, especially cyanidin and pelagonidin glycosides, make up another 25%. And more good news: freezing and storing raspberries does not significantly affect their antioxidant activity, although in this study, their concentration of vitamin C was halved by the freezing process.
Plus Vitamin and Mineral Antioxidants
In addition to their unique phytonutrient content, raspberries are filled with traditional nutrients, primarily in the antioxidant and B vitamin categories. Raspberries emerged from our nutrient ranking system as an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C, two critical antioxidant nutrients that help protect the body's tissue from oxygen-related damage. They also qualified as a good source of riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium and copper. Coupled with this strong B vitamin and mineral content, raspberries qualified as "excellent" in terms of dietary fiber. This combination of nutrients makes raspberries a great fruit choice for having minimal impact on blood sugars.
Promote Optimal Health
Research published in Cancer Letters provides one reason why diets high in fruit help prevent cancer: raspberries, blackberries and muscadine grapes inhibit metalloproteinase enzymes. Although essential for the development and remodeling of tissues, if produced in abnormally high amounts, these enzymes play a significant role in cancer development by providing a mechanism for its invasion and spread.
Protection against Macular Degeneration
Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
In this study, which involved over 110,000 women and men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss. While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARMD, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but raspberries can help you reach this goal. Top your morning cereal or lunch time yogurt or cottage cheese with fresh raspberries. Transform the taste and presentation of any green salad with a handful of raspberries and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Blend frozen raspberries with a spoonful of honey and some vanilla soy milk, freeze for 20 minutes, then spoon into serving cups and decorate with a sprig of mint for an elegant, healthy treat.
Chef adapts recipe, using ingredients that help minimize macular degeneration
08:13 AM CST on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
By NANCY CHURNIN / The Dallas Morning News
Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank is easy on the eyes and good for the eyes.
TIM GRUBER/DMN
Chef Jeff Moschetti puts the final touches on his Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank.
That's because its creator, Warwick Melrose executive chef Jeff Moschetti, worked with EyeCare America – a public-service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology – to identify and modify his favorite recipe that features ingredients that promote eye health.
About 10 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people 65 and older, says Dr. Dwain Gordon Fuller, an ophthalmologist and retinal specialist in private practice at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
Although there's no cure, Dr. Fuller says there are natural, as well as medical, ways to slow its progress. Recent ongoing studies suggest that certain antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, can play an important role in eye health. That's why EyeCare America has teamed up with several chefs across the country to make their eye-healthy recipes available at www.eyecareamerica .org.
It's also important to stop smoking and maintain healthy weight, cholesterol and blood-pressure levels; and if you are 65 or older, have an eye examination every one or two years to check for warning signs, Dr. Fuller says.
If you are in that age group and haven't seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, and if you don't have insurance, you may qualify for a free exam provided by more than 60 local volunteer ophthalmologists.
Chef Moschetti likes to encourage his own two kids, Olivia, 9, and Evan, 14, to eat foods that are good for their eyes. Like other parents, though, he knows it's tough to get them to eat right unless they like it.
At the Warwick Melrose kitchen, he spoons long-simmering pork, redolent with tomatoes, garlic, thyme and saffron, onto a tender tamale cuddled in a steamed banana leaf (subbed for dried corn husks), then tops it with papaya salsa (because peaches are out of season). As he arranges a micro-cilantro garnish, he speaks with pride about how well this went over with his kids.
"They flipped for it. They gave me rave reviews."
By NANCY CHURNIN / The Dallas Morning News
Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank is easy on the eyes and good for the eyes.
TIM GRUBER/DMN
Chef Jeff Moschetti puts the final touches on his Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank.
That's because its creator, Warwick Melrose executive chef Jeff Moschetti, worked with EyeCare America – a public-service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology – to identify and modify his favorite recipe that features ingredients that promote eye health.
About 10 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people 65 and older, says Dr. Dwain Gordon Fuller, an ophthalmologist and retinal specialist in private practice at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
Although there's no cure, Dr. Fuller says there are natural, as well as medical, ways to slow its progress. Recent ongoing studies suggest that certain antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, can play an important role in eye health. That's why EyeCare America has teamed up with several chefs across the country to make their eye-healthy recipes available at www.eyecareamerica .org.
It's also important to stop smoking and maintain healthy weight, cholesterol and blood-pressure levels; and if you are 65 or older, have an eye examination every one or two years to check for warning signs, Dr. Fuller says.
If you are in that age group and haven't seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, and if you don't have insurance, you may qualify for a free exam provided by more than 60 local volunteer ophthalmologists.
Chef Moschetti likes to encourage his own two kids, Olivia, 9, and Evan, 14, to eat foods that are good for their eyes. Like other parents, though, he knows it's tough to get them to eat right unless they like it.
At the Warwick Melrose kitchen, he spoons long-simmering pork, redolent with tomatoes, garlic, thyme and saffron, onto a tender tamale cuddled in a steamed banana leaf (subbed for dried corn husks), then tops it with papaya salsa (because peaches are out of season). As he arranges a micro-cilantro garnish, he speaks with pride about how well this went over with his kids.
"They flipped for it. They gave me rave reviews."
Ocular Nutrition And Eye Health Food
Written by Olinda Rola from Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of the ways to support your vision.
As early as in our 30's, our eyes and vision can begin to deteriorate. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, smoking, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to healthy eyes and good vision. Long hours spent at a computer screen and the vibration from driving have a cumulative negative impact on eye health over time.
Healthy vision is related to the health of the individual parts of the eye – the cornea, iris, macula, lens, optic nerve, pupil, retina and the vitreous humor. And making good ocular nutrition and eye health food choices are one of the ways that good vision can be supported. Information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute and the results of other ocular nutrition and eye health studies have shown that using nutrition to improve and support eye health definitely happens.
Here are foods that are known to support and improve eye health:
• Collard greens, kale and spinach - studies on ocular nutrition and eye health show that eating foods rich in carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we get older.
• Green vegetables and corn - another study on ocular nutrition and eye health has shown a reduced risk of developing cataracts for persons having diets higher in lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in these two carotenoids include broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks. Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study done on persons ages 40-59, those with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin experienced a reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.
• Apricots, bilberries and blueberries - apricots are rich in beta carotene and lycopene that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A as needed, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration. Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue.
• Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections. Bilberries are a form of wild blueberry that grow on small bushes. Bilberries were used by British pilots to improve their night vision during World War 2. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition and eye health food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes.
Our eyes are considered to be the most important of the senses. By knowing which ocular nutrition and eye health food choices support the eyes, you can include more of these foods in daily meal planning.
As early as in our 30's, our eyes and vision can begin to deteriorate. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, smoking, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to healthy eyes and good vision. Long hours spent at a computer screen and the vibration from driving have a cumulative negative impact on eye health over time.
Healthy vision is related to the health of the individual parts of the eye – the cornea, iris, macula, lens, optic nerve, pupil, retina and the vitreous humor. And making good ocular nutrition and eye health food choices are one of the ways that good vision can be supported. Information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute and the results of other ocular nutrition and eye health studies have shown that using nutrition to improve and support eye health definitely happens.
Here are foods that are known to support and improve eye health:
• Collard greens, kale and spinach - studies on ocular nutrition and eye health show that eating foods rich in carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we get older.
• Green vegetables and corn - another study on ocular nutrition and eye health has shown a reduced risk of developing cataracts for persons having diets higher in lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in these two carotenoids include broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks. Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study done on persons ages 40-59, those with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin experienced a reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.
• Apricots, bilberries and blueberries - apricots are rich in beta carotene and lycopene that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A as needed, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration. Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue.
• Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections. Bilberries are a form of wild blueberry that grow on small bushes. Bilberries were used by British pilots to improve their night vision during World War 2. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition and eye health food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes.
Our eyes are considered to be the most important of the senses. By knowing which ocular nutrition and eye health food choices support the eyes, you can include more of these foods in daily meal planning.
Let them eat pumpkin
Nov 12th, 2008
I’m first in line behind the old rallying call of Let Them Eat Cake. So trust me when I say that adding pumpkin to your cakes, your muffins, your breads, is the way to go. Open up, and embrace all things pumpkin. Why? Well, it’s a great low-fat substitute for oil, plus it makes things taste great. But there are loads of other good reasons. I’ve scanned the web and gathered a few for you here.
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Pumpkin
• Pumpkin is rich in carotenoids, good for keeping the immune system strong.
• Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.
• Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.
• Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness.
• The high amount of fiber, present in a pumpkin, is good for the bowel health of an individual.
• Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.
• The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density.
The Native Americans were aware of all the benefits in pumpkin. Here’s a handful of random fact, borrowed from HUBpages.
• Yuma tribes created an emulsion from pumpkin seeds and watermelon to help heal wounds. The seed oil was also used to treat burns and wounds.
• Catawabas ate pumpkin seeds either fresh or dry as a medicine for kidney support.
• Menominees mixed powdered squash and water to for urinary support.
• Modern folk healers believe the pumpkin to be beneficial in ridding the body of intestinal worms and also believe the ground stem of the pumpkin brewed into a tea may help ease women during their menstrual cycle.
I’m first in line behind the old rallying call of Let Them Eat Cake. So trust me when I say that adding pumpkin to your cakes, your muffins, your breads, is the way to go. Open up, and embrace all things pumpkin. Why? Well, it’s a great low-fat substitute for oil, plus it makes things taste great. But there are loads of other good reasons. I’ve scanned the web and gathered a few for you here.
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Pumpkin
• Pumpkin is rich in carotenoids, good for keeping the immune system strong.
• Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.
• Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.
• Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness.
• The high amount of fiber, present in a pumpkin, is good for the bowel health of an individual.
• Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.
• The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density.
The Native Americans were aware of all the benefits in pumpkin. Here’s a handful of random fact, borrowed from HUBpages.
• Yuma tribes created an emulsion from pumpkin seeds and watermelon to help heal wounds. The seed oil was also used to treat burns and wounds.
• Catawabas ate pumpkin seeds either fresh or dry as a medicine for kidney support.
• Menominees mixed powdered squash and water to for urinary support.
• Modern folk healers believe the pumpkin to be beneficial in ridding the body of intestinal worms and also believe the ground stem of the pumpkin brewed into a tea may help ease women during their menstrual cycle.
True Facts of Apricots
Carotenoids
The secret of apricot’s power lies in its high-level of a mighty antioxidant called carotenoids.The oxygen-free forms of carotenoids such as lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene are the organic pigments helpful to men.
Beta-carotene is being converted by the body to Vitamin A which is beneficial to the eyes- it protects the eyes from functional deterioration, lessens the risk of acquiring cataracts, and prevents the eyes from xerophthalmia – a disease that dries the conjunctival epithelium.
Apricots also protect the heart through its famous bright red carotenoid called lycopene. Lycopene protects the heart by reducing the blood levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) which causes formation of plaque in the blood vessels, which in turn, precipitate a number of heart diseases.
The Department of Agriculture of the United States says that Lycopene is the most potent antioxidant among other carotenoids as this extinguishes peroxyl radicals that damage the DNA that initiates cancer. Lycopene helps in fighting breast cancer and prostate cancer. Dried apricots are good sources of lycopene. People susceptible to these diseases should include apricots in their diet.
Other properties and benefits
Velvety apricots are also high in fiber. Apricots are used to prevent and allay constipation and can even induce diarrhea. Three apricots are enough to take effect. This means also that it can help you slash your weight, have a normal digestion, and control high blood levels of sugar. Fiber also keeps the blood vessels from being congested.Apricots are also high in potassium that helps in regulating the blood pressue and the contraction of the heart.
The kernels of apricots are equally nutritious. Each kernel has several helpful properties that are proven to assuage cough and helps the respirator system to be toned. But before eating a kernel, the tip of the seeds should be cut off as this contains high levels of laetrile that can upset the stomach.
Apricots are also rich in Vitamin C and iron.
Apricots also help the body fight Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and an eye-disease called Age-Related Macula Degeneration.
Around the World and Beyond
Apricot is a traditional Chinese medicine that helps in restoring lost body fluids (which also prevents dehydration) and in detoxifying the body. Without knowing why they did, the Chinese also ate apricots to improve their fertility. Now we know that this fruit is abundant in minerals that boost the production of sex hormones. In the Hunza Valley in Himalayas, people used apricots as staple food. Many centenarians live in this area. Because of that benefit, Europeans have long thought of apricots to be aphrodisiacs. In fact, William Shakespeare depicted apricot in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as such. In The Duchess of Malfi, apricots were depicted as an inducer of childbirth. Three centuries ago, the English used apricot oil to fight tumors and ulcers.
Officials of National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that astronauts (in flight) included apricot on their menu for a number of occasions already. In fact, apricots have been on the menu of the Apollo 15 trip.
The secret of apricot’s power lies in its high-level of a mighty antioxidant called carotenoids.The oxygen-free forms of carotenoids such as lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene are the organic pigments helpful to men.
Beta-carotene is being converted by the body to Vitamin A which is beneficial to the eyes- it protects the eyes from functional deterioration, lessens the risk of acquiring cataracts, and prevents the eyes from xerophthalmia – a disease that dries the conjunctival epithelium.
Apricots also protect the heart through its famous bright red carotenoid called lycopene. Lycopene protects the heart by reducing the blood levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) which causes formation of plaque in the blood vessels, which in turn, precipitate a number of heart diseases.
The Department of Agriculture of the United States says that Lycopene is the most potent antioxidant among other carotenoids as this extinguishes peroxyl radicals that damage the DNA that initiates cancer. Lycopene helps in fighting breast cancer and prostate cancer. Dried apricots are good sources of lycopene. People susceptible to these diseases should include apricots in their diet.
Other properties and benefits
Velvety apricots are also high in fiber. Apricots are used to prevent and allay constipation and can even induce diarrhea. Three apricots are enough to take effect. This means also that it can help you slash your weight, have a normal digestion, and control high blood levels of sugar. Fiber also keeps the blood vessels from being congested.Apricots are also high in potassium that helps in regulating the blood pressue and the contraction of the heart.
The kernels of apricots are equally nutritious. Each kernel has several helpful properties that are proven to assuage cough and helps the respirator system to be toned. But before eating a kernel, the tip of the seeds should be cut off as this contains high levels of laetrile that can upset the stomach.
Apricots are also rich in Vitamin C and iron.
Apricots also help the body fight Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and an eye-disease called Age-Related Macula Degeneration.
Around the World and Beyond
Apricot is a traditional Chinese medicine that helps in restoring lost body fluids (which also prevents dehydration) and in detoxifying the body. Without knowing why they did, the Chinese also ate apricots to improve their fertility. Now we know that this fruit is abundant in minerals that boost the production of sex hormones. In the Hunza Valley in Himalayas, people used apricots as staple food. Many centenarians live in this area. Because of that benefit, Europeans have long thought of apricots to be aphrodisiacs. In fact, William Shakespeare depicted apricot in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as such. In The Duchess of Malfi, apricots were depicted as an inducer of childbirth. Three centuries ago, the English used apricot oil to fight tumors and ulcers.
Officials of National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that astronauts (in flight) included apricot on their menu for a number of occasions already. In fact, apricots have been on the menu of the Apollo 15 trip.
Simple eye care supplements can improve your eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Age- related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50. A hardening of the arteries which nourish the retina deprive the retinal tissue of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. Cataracts and decreasing night vision are also affected by the result of a loss of nourishment to aging eyes.
The 2 nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are carotenoids which play a vital role in the health of our eyes.
Carotenoids are found in plants such as spinach, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens broccoli, green beans, cabbage, honeydew, and kiwi. A 1995 study showed that eating spinach and collard greens five or more times a week was found to noticeably reduce the risk of MD. (1)
In a 2004 study, lutein has been shown to not only help prevent, but to actually reverse symptoms of ARMD. Patients were supplemented daily with an OcuPower supplement capsule (containing 10 mg of crystalline FloraGLO lutein, 10 mg lutein plus a mixed antioxidant formula) for 12 months experienced significant improvements in glare recovery, contrast sensitivity, distance, and visual acuity in addition to a 50% increase in macular pigment density. (1)
In another study of over 4500 people, the higher the dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin, the greater the decrease in the likelihood of macular degeneration. (2)
Where can you find supplements if you prefer and what amounts are recommended?
Daily amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin are generally recommended at 20 mg of lutein and 6-10 mg of zeaxanthin. Lutein is easily available on the market in the recommended amount, either alone or as part of several brands of multi-supplements. Zeaxanthin is available in a single pill containing the recommended amount by only one company, ZeaVision (www.zeavision.com), which owns the patent. Other companies, however, offer zeaxanthin in pills containing up to 4 mg each, either alone (see www.swansonvitamins.com) or in combination with 30 mg of Vitamin C to assist in absorption (see www.biosyntrx.com). These 4 mg dosages can be safely doubled or tripled to obtain recommended amounts. (1)
Other helpful eye care supplements:
Bilberry contains 3 powerful antioxidants known to form collagen, repair tissue cells and blood vessels, and keep capillaries healthy, thus aiding in the prevention of free radical damage to eyes.
Blueberries contain vitamin C and E, as well as other antioxidants. It is the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity.
Grape seed extract is a natural plant substance with antioxidants that promote healthy circulation and protect from free radical damage.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid in coldwater fish which is necessary for proper function of neural and ocular systems.
M.D. Select Advanced Ocular Support offered by The Vitamin Shoppe contains a blend of lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, blueberry, grape seed extract and DHA. (4)
The 2 nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are carotenoids which play a vital role in the health of our eyes.
Carotenoids are found in plants such as spinach, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens broccoli, green beans, cabbage, honeydew, and kiwi. A 1995 study showed that eating spinach and collard greens five or more times a week was found to noticeably reduce the risk of MD. (1)
In a 2004 study, lutein has been shown to not only help prevent, but to actually reverse symptoms of ARMD. Patients were supplemented daily with an OcuPower supplement capsule (containing 10 mg of crystalline FloraGLO lutein, 10 mg lutein plus a mixed antioxidant formula) for 12 months experienced significant improvements in glare recovery, contrast sensitivity, distance, and visual acuity in addition to a 50% increase in macular pigment density. (1)
In another study of over 4500 people, the higher the dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin, the greater the decrease in the likelihood of macular degeneration. (2)
Where can you find supplements if you prefer and what amounts are recommended?
Daily amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin are generally recommended at 20 mg of lutein and 6-10 mg of zeaxanthin. Lutein is easily available on the market in the recommended amount, either alone or as part of several brands of multi-supplements. Zeaxanthin is available in a single pill containing the recommended amount by only one company, ZeaVision (www.zeavision.com), which owns the patent. Other companies, however, offer zeaxanthin in pills containing up to 4 mg each, either alone (see www.swansonvitamins.com) or in combination with 30 mg of Vitamin C to assist in absorption (see www.biosyntrx.com). These 4 mg dosages can be safely doubled or tripled to obtain recommended amounts. (1)
Other helpful eye care supplements:
Bilberry contains 3 powerful antioxidants known to form collagen, repair tissue cells and blood vessels, and keep capillaries healthy, thus aiding in the prevention of free radical damage to eyes.
Blueberries contain vitamin C and E, as well as other antioxidants. It is the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity.
Grape seed extract is a natural plant substance with antioxidants that promote healthy circulation and protect from free radical damage.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid in coldwater fish which is necessary for proper function of neural and ocular systems.
M.D. Select Advanced Ocular Support offered by The Vitamin Shoppe contains a blend of lutein, zeaxanthin, bilberry, blueberry, grape seed extract and DHA. (4)
Chef adapts recipe, using ingredients that help minimize macular degeneration
Friday, November 21, 2008
08:13 AM CST on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank is easy on the eyes and good for the eyes.
That's because its creator, Warwick Melrose executive chef Jeff Moschetti, worked with EyeCare America – a public-service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology – to identify and modify his favorite recipe that features ingredients that promote eye health.
About 10 million Americans suffer from age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people 65 and older, says Dr. Dwain Gordon Fuller, an ophthalmologist and retinal specialist in private practice at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
Although there's no cure, Dr. Fuller says there are natural, as well as medical, ways to slow its progress. Recent ongoing studies suggest that certain antioxidants, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, can play an important role in eye health. That's why EyeCare America has teamed up with several chefs across the country to make their eye-healthy recipes available at www.eyecareamerica .org.
It's also important to stop smoking and maintain healthy weight, cholesterol and blood-pressure levels; and if you are 65 or older, have an eye examination every one or two years to check for warning signs, Dr. Fuller says.
If you are in that age group and haven't seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years, and if you don't have insurance, you may qualify for a free exam provided by more than 60 local volunteer ophthalmologists.
Chef Moschetti likes to encourage his own two kids, Olivia, 9, and Evan, 14, to eat foods that are good for their eyes. Like other parents, though, he knows it's tough to get them to eat right unless they like it.
At the Warwick Melrose kitchen, he spoons long-simmering pork, redolent with tomatoes, garlic, thyme and saffron, onto a tender tamale cuddled in a steamed banana leaf (subbed for dried corn husks), then tops it with papaya salsa (because peaches are out of season). As he arranges a micro-cilantro garnish, he speaks with pride about how well this went over with his kids.
"They flipped for it. They gave me rave reviews."
INGREDIENTS THAT HELP THE EYES
1. Vitamin C: in papayas, tomatoes, tomato paste, red bell peppers, green onions (also found in oranges, grapefruit, strawberries)
2. Vitamin E: in olive oil (also found in safflower and corn oil, almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds)
3. Beta-carotene: in carrots and peaches (also found in other deep orange or yellow fruits and vegetables: cantaloupe, mangos, apricots and sweet potatoes)
4. Lutein and zeaxanthin: in carrots (also found in dark green leafy vegetables: broccoli, collard greens, asparagus and spinach)
5. Zinc: in pork (also found in beef, lamb, oysters, eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts, whole grains and wheat germ) Get the recipe
Go to www.eyecareamerica.org for the Saffron Tamale With Spanish Braised Pork Shank recipe.
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