SUZY COHEN ON EYE SIGHT PROTECTION Dear Pharmacist, I need more options to protect my vision. I take prescription eye drops, but I’m steadily declining. –R.J. Decatur, Illinois Answer: I’m sorry to hear that. I’m always researching ways to protect eyesight because it is so precious, and often taken for granted. Even if you use prescription drops like Timolol, Xalatan, Restasis, Zaditor, Travatan, Acular, or the ‘eye lash growing’ Latisse, supplements are usually okay. Numerous multi-tasking formulas are sold at pharmacies, and they contain all the key eye-nourishing ingredients like minerals, omega 3 fatty acids and B vitamins. These lay a good foundation, but may not be enough. So even if you take Ocuvite or I-caps for example, it’s probably alright to take one of the nutrients I list below, or both for that matter. Since we are dealing with your eyes, get your ophthalmologist’s blessings for any new supplements, even if they are sold without prescription. Astaxanthin- Sold nationwide, it gets my stamp of approval for macular degeneration and glaucoma based upon my research. This is a soft-gel, it is not an eye drop. Astaxanthin can be thought of as a cousin of beta carotene. Because it can reduce Asthenopia or “eye fatigue” by 54 percent, and I work on a computer, I take this. Astaxanthin is a protective antioxidant, it never goes pro-oxidant like other nutrients. Forget your eyes, studies prove it helps joint pain, supports healthy cholesterol levels, eases fine lines and improves endurance. Since I take 12mg BioAstin every day myself, I can vouch for these benefits from my own personal experience. Being both lipophilic and hydrophilic, it slides easily into every single cell, your brain too. Do the studies prove it? Yes. Astaxanthin is helpful for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, eye strain and seeing things in fine detail. A new study, published in Molecular Vision, July 25, 2013, found that the natural astaxanthin reduced “oxidative stress on retinal pigment epithelial cells” which just so happen to play a crucial role in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. That study concurs with dozens of others. Astaxanthin supplements are sold at health food stores nationwide. Hyaluronic acid- I think this supplement is perfect for dry eye. It’s naturally found in your ‘vitreous humor’ which is the gel-like liquid in your eye. It may help floaters, glaucoma, a detached retina or diabetic retinopathy. Doctors sometimes suggest taking hyaluronic acid supplements to improve recovery and minimize scarring after cataract surgery. It is fabulous for bones (think osteoporosis) and skin. Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient in skin fillers like Restylane and Juvederm. Supplements are touted to restore hair color (not sure about that one!) and disorders that damage the vocal cords. Since my focus is on eyes, I’ll tell you that hyaluronic acid can be taken as an oral supplement, and it’s sold at health food stores. I haven’t tried any brands myself. I found eye drops with it. One is “AMO Blink Contacts Lubricating Drops” and the other is Oxyal. COMMENT: As a naturopath I would like u to take spl care, preventively as you are past middle age. I cannot dismiss the value added ideas by Suzy Cohen on supplements for eye care. Besides that consider the following too: TEN WAYS TO BETTER SIGHT 1. eye exercises blinking rotating eye ball rotating head on neck clock wise and anti cl wise; shirsasana first stage 5 min kapala bhati 50 shoot outs Ref local yoga centre or ask me for a pic or video if seriously interested. 2. in a good unpolluted environ in hygienic conditions in a windy lake or river area keeping eyes wide open for few seconds or 50 counts so that the gushing winds dry the eyes producing tears ; these tears will bring out toxins! I do this in a different way which i wouldnt want u to do! I go by m/bike on the hi way for a long ride of say of 60 km at a low spd of 60km / hr ! And i find my eyes filling wth tears due to winds blowing into eyes despite my specs. These are detoxifying tears and often once in a week as i do this i found my vision improving! 3. I keep an eye cup , fill it up wth ( good!) water, and dip my open eyes into it; weekly or whenever necessary. This is a kriya yoga method; 4. splash good water on eyes and face or use gentle hand shower closing eyes, to circulate more blood inthe eyes related area! 5. keep a low pillow or no pillow for blood supply to brain and eyes 6. Daily cooling head bath protects vision and sanity. Not bathing for head for months together can result in dementia too!! 7. look distantly every 30 min while on texting pads or computer monitor screens. 8. Once in a week oil bath for head with pure unprocessed sesame oil or vco. 9. Avoid all chemical synthetic shampoos and conditioners and wash with AloeVera natural shampoos. or wash with a paste of : A1. blended overnite soaked fenugreek seeds 50 gms A2. blended leaves of hibiscus tree and water. (fewLeaves of custard apple tree added to kill lice and stop dandruff) A3. blended paste of Thur Dhal -Lentils OR MoongDhal -50 gms with water ! Good for kids 1 yr & above A4. Or paste of shikakai seeds wth water. Care: it burns eyes if fallen in. For age 5 & up 10.Wash eyes with Ayurvedic Triphala Powder or Triphala Choorna mixed in good water and filtered. AM /PM wish u gud eye sight! -param
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:15:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015