To treat AMD
* AREDS formula (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc, plus copper) — The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that a combination of antioxidant vitamins plus zinc helped slow the progression of intermediate macular degeneration to an advanced stage, which is when most vision loss occurs. The National Eye Institute recommends that people with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes or with advanced AMD (wet or dry) in one eye but not the other take this formulation each day. However, this combination of nutrients did not help prevent AMD nor did it slow progression of the disease in those with early AMD. The doses of nutrients are:
o Vitamin C (500 mg per day)
o Vitamin E (400 IU per day)
o Beta-carotene (15 mg per day, or 25,000 IU of vitamin A)
o Zinc (80 mg per day)
o Copper (2 mg per day, to prevent copper deficiency that can occur when taking extra zinc)
Ocuvite PreserVision is formulated to contain the proper amounts of these nutrients. People who already take a multivitamin should let their doctor know before taking this formulation. Zinc can be harmful at a dose of 80 mg, so be sure to take this combination only under your doctor’s supervision.
* Lutein and zeaxanthin — High levels of these two carotinoids (antioxidants that give plants orange, red, or yellow color) in your blood may help protect against AMD, either by acting as antioxidants or by protecting the macula from damage from light. One study found that people with AMD who took lutein alone or in combination with other antioxidants had less vision loss, while those who took placebo had no change. However, another study failed to find any benefit from lutein. Egg yolks, spinach and corn have high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin.
To prevent AMD
* Leafy greens — People who eat dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens, and watercress tend to have a lower risk of AMD.
* Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) — In a study of more than 3,000 people over the age of 49, those who ate more fish were less likely to have AMD than those who ate fewer fish. Another larger study found that consuming docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, four or more times per week may reduce the risk of developing AMD. However, this same study suggests that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; another type of omega-3 fatty acid) may actually increase the risk of AMD. Adding more fish to your diet is safe; but talk to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements if you are at risk for AMD.
Herbs
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner.
* Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, 160 mg to 240 mg per day) — Ginkgo contains flavonoids, which researchers think may also help AMD. Two studies showed that people with AMD who took ginkgo were able to slow their vision loss. Ginkgo can increase the risk of bleeding, so people who take anticoagulants (blood-thinners) should not take ginkgo without talking to their doctor. may help halt or lessen some retinal problems. Clinical studies suggest that it may be useful in treating vision problems specifically due to macular degeneration. If you use anticoagulants, do not use ginkgo without close monitoring by your healthcare provider.
* Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus, 120 to 240 mg two times per day) and grape seed (Vitis vinifera, 50 to 150 mg per day) are also high in flavonoids, so researchers speculate that they may help prevent and treat AMD. However, so far no studies have looked at using bilberry or grape seed to treat AMD.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What’s GLUTATHIONE?
August 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under lacto-ovo
Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thigh-own”) also known as GSH is the body’s essential health AID – Antioxidant, Immune booster and Detoxifier. This small protein, produced naturally in the body, maintains these three crucial protective functions. In fact, your life depends on Glutathione. Without it your cells would disintegrate from unrestrained oxidation, your body would have little resistance to bacteria, viruses and cancer, and your liver would shrivel up from the eventual accumulation of toxins.
Glutathione is not yet a household word. Even doctors who have heard the term may have only a vague idea of it. In the not too distance future, this critical substance will be on everyone’s vitamin shelf. Our grandparents didn’t even know what cholesterol and vitamins were. Today we are all quite knowledgable about both of them. In the last five years, over 35,000 medical articles about Glutathione have been published, and this scientific understanding is gradually becoming common knowledge.
Each and every cell in the body is responsible for its own supply of glutathione and must have the necessary raw materials to make it. Illness, stress, fatigue and even exercise put our bodies under great pressure to produce vast quantities of Glutathione. Glutathione levels also diminish as we age and many diseases normally associated with aging have been linked to glutathione deficiency.
WHY GLUTATHIONE IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH
Glutathione’s three major roles in the body are summarized by the letters A-I-D – Antioxidant, Immune booster, and Detoxifier – three critical processes driven by glutathione.
THE MASTER ANTIOXIDANT (AID) Over the past thirty years researchers have explored the critical role of antioxidants in good health. It’s not surprising that the body itself manufactures its own natural antioxidants. The most important of these is glutathione. Since all other antioxidants depend upon the presence of glutathione to function properly, scientists call it “The Master Antioxidant.”
BENEFITS FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM (AID) The immune system’s function is to identify and attack germs and other invaders, including cancer cells. A body with plenty of glutathione fights off these threats more easily by denying most of them and confronting the few that get through with an enhanced immune system. Elevated glutathione levels enable the body to produce more white blood cells – the most important front line defense of the immune system. Glutathione plays a central role in the functions of these immune cells. Dr. Gustavo Bounous, a leading glutathione expert says, “The limiting factor in the proper activity of our lymphocytes (white blood cells) is the availability of glutathione.” In other words, healthy growth and activity of immune cells depend upon glutathione’s availability. Simply put, glutathione is food for the immune system.
NATURAL DETOXIFICATION (AID) Whether we know it or not, we are continually inhaling and ingesting natural and synthetic toxins. They are unavoidable in these modern times, both in our polluted cities and our engineered food supplies. When the body has its health and the nourishment it needs it works tirelessly to eliminate toxins and protect itself, but increasing levels of environmental pollution are depleting its stores of glutathione more and more rapidly. Our main organ of detoxification is the liver the body’s most concentrated source of glutathione. Studies show that low glutathione levels lead to poor liver function, causing more and more toxins to circulate through the body and resulting in damage to individual cells and organs.
for more information contact www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Filed under lacto-ovo
Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thigh-own”) also known as GSH is the body’s essential health AID – Antioxidant, Immune booster and Detoxifier. This small protein, produced naturally in the body, maintains these three crucial protective functions. In fact, your life depends on Glutathione. Without it your cells would disintegrate from unrestrained oxidation, your body would have little resistance to bacteria, viruses and cancer, and your liver would shrivel up from the eventual accumulation of toxins.
Glutathione is not yet a household word. Even doctors who have heard the term may have only a vague idea of it. In the not too distance future, this critical substance will be on everyone’s vitamin shelf. Our grandparents didn’t even know what cholesterol and vitamins were. Today we are all quite knowledgable about both of them. In the last five years, over 35,000 medical articles about Glutathione have been published, and this scientific understanding is gradually becoming common knowledge.
Each and every cell in the body is responsible for its own supply of glutathione and must have the necessary raw materials to make it. Illness, stress, fatigue and even exercise put our bodies under great pressure to produce vast quantities of Glutathione. Glutathione levels also diminish as we age and many diseases normally associated with aging have been linked to glutathione deficiency.
WHY GLUTATHIONE IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH
Glutathione’s three major roles in the body are summarized by the letters A-I-D – Antioxidant, Immune booster, and Detoxifier – three critical processes driven by glutathione.
THE MASTER ANTIOXIDANT (AID) Over the past thirty years researchers have explored the critical role of antioxidants in good health. It’s not surprising that the body itself manufactures its own natural antioxidants. The most important of these is glutathione. Since all other antioxidants depend upon the presence of glutathione to function properly, scientists call it “The Master Antioxidant.”
BENEFITS FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM (AID) The immune system’s function is to identify and attack germs and other invaders, including cancer cells. A body with plenty of glutathione fights off these threats more easily by denying most of them and confronting the few that get through with an enhanced immune system. Elevated glutathione levels enable the body to produce more white blood cells – the most important front line defense of the immune system. Glutathione plays a central role in the functions of these immune cells. Dr. Gustavo Bounous, a leading glutathione expert says, “The limiting factor in the proper activity of our lymphocytes (white blood cells) is the availability of glutathione.” In other words, healthy growth and activity of immune cells depend upon glutathione’s availability. Simply put, glutathione is food for the immune system.
NATURAL DETOXIFICATION (AID) Whether we know it or not, we are continually inhaling and ingesting natural and synthetic toxins. They are unavoidable in these modern times, both in our polluted cities and our engineered food supplies. When the body has its health and the nourishment it needs it works tirelessly to eliminate toxins and protect itself, but increasing levels of environmental pollution are depleting its stores of glutathione more and more rapidly. Our main organ of detoxification is the liver the body’s most concentrated source of glutathione. Studies show that low glutathione levels lead to poor liver function, causing more and more toxins to circulate through the body and resulting in damage to individual cells and organs.
for more information contact www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
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