Misc. notes on eye health nutrients

Daily intake for lutein and zeaxanthin, recent studies show a health benefit for lutein supplementation at 10 mg/day and for zeaxanthin supplementation at 2 mg/day.* Studies show that dietary intake of approximately 6-20 mg lutein daily appears to be necessary for adequate eye health support.
black currant and astaxanthin – recently made their way to the cutting edge of the eye health world.*
And they’re far more powerful than lutein, zeaxanthin, or bilberry.*
Scientists discovered that black currant contains anthocyanins, supporting eye energy.* And astaxanthin is also a strong antioxidant.*
The challenging thing is… these incredible nutrients are hard to find in typical eye health products. And they must be of superb quality for you to reap the benefits.

Om Grinihi Suryaya Adityom  (om grin-eh-he  soor-eye-ya  a-deet-yom)…. sun related mantra for strengthening and healing the eyes..

Essential oils: Clove and Longevity (clove, orange, thyme, frankincense taken orally)

Saffron 200 mg.a day

Search reflexology points for eyes on hands, feet, and ears

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs (Evergreen “Nourish” for liver and kidney meridians that govern eyes)
To ensure proper breakdown of supplements, use a good digestive supplement, preferably one that contains ox bile, taurine, lecithin, and adequate hydrochloric acid, or a combination of these.

Herbs: Ginko, bilberry, grapeseed

support eyesight:
·       Eat plenty of foods containing lutein – spinach, broccoli, zucchini, peas
·       Increase your intake of omega-3s – krill oil is a great choice
·       Eat nutritious raw egg yolks – they contain zeaxanthin and lutein
·       Consume plenty of raw vegetables and fruits – particularly dark berries
·       Avoid processed foods especially those containing trans fats

10 Important nutrients for healthy eyes
1.    Lutein
2.    Zeaxanthin
3.    Lycopene
4.    Astaxanthin
5.    Palm Oil Carotenoids (alpha and beta carotene)
6.    Grape Seed Extract
7.    Ginkgo Biloba Extract
8.    Green Tea Extract
9.    Taurine
10. Gamma tocopherol and vitamin E
Lutein and zeaxanthin: nature’s colorful antioxidants

The study found that people who ate diets with lots of high Glycemic Index foods had a higher risk of developing eye changes related to macular degeneration.

Ginkgo biloba extract has antioxidant activity, improves arterial blood flow, and enhances cellular metabolism. It also has antiaging properties, which may prevent degenerative changes in the eye. Several studies have indicated that Ginkgo may have a significant therapeutic value in cases of retinal damage 32 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-32> 33 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-33> 34 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-34> , and that it can be used successfully and
safely to protect the eye from cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
According to Robert Ritch, M.D. Chief of Glaucoma Service, Surgeon Director, and Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York Medical College, “Ginkgo biloba extract is freely available and has several biological actions which combine to make it a potentially important agent in the treatment of glaucoma: improvement of central and peripheral blood flow, reduction of vasospasm, reduction of serum viscosity, antioxidant activity, platelet activating factor inhibitory activity, inhibition of apoptosis, and inhibition of excitotoxicity. The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract as a potential antiglaucoma therapy deserves intensive scrutiny.”35 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-35>
In an experiment with laboratory rats in which cataracts were induced, treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract was found to significantly retard the progression of lens opacification (cloudiness). 36 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-36>

Green tea extract
Green tea extract has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years to promote longevity, improve mental functions, and prevent disease. But it is only within the past twenty years or so that green tea has become a popular healing tonic in the West. As a result of both historical accounts and current research, tea has gone from a simple beverage to a functional food with ample
evidence of its health promoting properties.
For instance, we now know, thanks to scientific studies, that antioxidants in green tea help protect against free radical damage, and specifically possesses anti-cataract potential.38 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-38> It has also been found to protect against UV radiation.39 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-39>
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid, and an important antioxidant for the regeneration of worn out tissues of the visual system. High amounts of taurine are found in the retina of the eye—especially in the photoreceptor cells—where it protects cells from ultraviolet damage, and is important for the maintenance of vision.40 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-40> But taurine decreases with age, and deficiencies of taurine are known to cause retinal lesions and visual deterioration, which can be reversed with dietary taurine supplementation. For more information about taurine, visit this article: Taurine: An Amino Acid That “Meows” and “Roars” <http://http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/view/taurine-protects-heart-eyes-and-improves-glucose-tolerance/&gt;
Gamma tocopherol and vitamin E
Gamma tocopherol and vitamin E have been shown to reduce cataract risk by up to 56 percent, whereas a low level increases cataract risk and increases photooxidation.41 <http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/fight-macular-degeneration-with-these-10-herbs-nutrients/page-2#fn-123-41>
For more information about vitamin E and tocopherols, visit this article: Get the Straight Facts on Vitamin E Tocopherols <http://http://www.smart-publications.com/articles/view/vitamin-E-understanding-tocopherols-and-tocotrienols-and-what-they-mea/&gt;
Also, the National Eye Institute Age-Related Eye Disease Study (see “The Role of Nutrition in Eye Disease Prevention”) found that supplementation with 400 IU of vitamin E, 500 mg vitamin C, 15 mg beta-carotene and 80 mg zinc oxide slows the progression of macular degeneration by about 25 percent.

·  Vitamin C (500 mg per day)
·  Vitamin E (400 IU per day)
·  Beta-carotene (15 mg per day, or 25,000 IU of vitamin A)
·  Zinc (80 mg per day)
·  Copper (2 mg per day, to prevent copper deficiency that can occur when taking extra zinc)