Macular Degeneration and Eye Care

October 30th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

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. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »

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Dental Care for Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

October 24th, 2008

This is a quick list of natural tips for improving the health of your teeth and gums.

This list is by Dr. David J. Foreman, Herbal Pharmacist, who writes a monthly newsletter for the Vitamin Shoppe chain of stores. We actually buy all of our supplements there, other than a few we get from our chiropractor. You can find more of Dr. Foreman’s articles at www.VitaminShoppe.com, click on Health Info, then on Herbal Pharmacist.

  • CoQ10 at 50-60 mg per Day
  • Folic Acid 800 mcg per Day
  • Brush with Natural Tooth Paste such as Tom’s of Main, Jason, or Xlear
  • Rinse with a Natural Mouthwash such as Spry Oral Rinse by Xlear or Healthy Gums Daily Oral Rinse by Natural Dentist
  • Chew Gum Containing Xylitol
  • Floss Regularly
  • Drink Green or Black Tea as it May Inhibit Bacterial Growth
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Dementia and Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

September 24th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

Various studies have been done linking both average and low Vitamin B-12 levels to brain shrinkage and dementia.

I came across 3 different studies regarding B-12 deficiency and memory problems. I’ll paste abbreviated results below with their references in case you want to read the full articles. Top sources of Vitamin B are listed at the end of the post.

Take note of these main points:

-Though western cultures normally eat enough food with B-12, the absorption of it decreases with age.

-The push for using antacids has also decreased people’s absorption of B-12.

-If you divide a normal range of B-12 absorption into thirds, the elderly people in the lower level of what is still considered normal B-12 blood level range had 6 times more brain shrinkage than those in the upper third. Thus, a normal level could still be risky unless you are at the higher end of the range. Two studies below showed risk in normal ranges.

-Dairy products, fish, and meat are the typical sources of B-12.

-Daily oral doses of B-12 in 1000 mcg were effective in raising B-12 levels in elderly and reducing memory problems.

-Vitamin B-12 helps in the formation of red blood cells and is important for the maintenance of the central nervous system. Deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological damage.

-Vitamin B-12 deficiency is uncommon in developed countries but is an issue among the elderly due to problems in vitamin absorption and among vegetarians whose dietary intake may be low, the researchers said.

Study 1

In the study led by David Smith and Anna Vogiatzoglou of the University of Oxford in Britain, people in the upper third of vitamin

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Flu Prevention

September 15th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

As the fall and winter seasons approach, the flu virus is something we all desire to avoid. Let’s cover a new virus blocker product as well as some immune system boosters.

New natural virus blockers are an effective way to prevent the flu from taking hold.

Last winter, when the some severe flu strains were taking over large regions of the US, we had stayed pretty flu free all season. Toward the end of the season, I evidently caught the strain from a coughing cashier and stopped by the health food store to buy extra vitamin C and see what else they had available. They had a huge display of a product called, Blockade. The store reps said that they had been selling a good deal of the product and people were bringing back good reports, so I decided to give it a try. If you recall, last winter’s strain of flu was holding on for 2-3 weeks at a time. I was significantly better in 24 hrs. and completely over it within 48 hrs.

Blockade is an all herbal virus blocker.

According to the write-up, viruses reproduce in the human body after entering human cells, as opposed to infections in the blood stream which can be treated with antibiotics. Since viruses reproduce within the cells, antibiotics do not work on them. The bioactives in Blockade coat the viruses and prevent them from attaching to and entering human cells. Since the viruses cannot reproduce, the illness does not progress. Laboratory studies have shown a 100% success rate in keeping the flu virus from entering cells. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »

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