By: Dr. Nora Gindi See below for a medical journal review of Natural Therapies for Cataracts & Glaucoma

The Visual System- the eyes, muscles, nerves, and vision centers of the brain- is one of the most complex and highly demanding systems of the body.

More than 25% of the nutrition the body uses goes to nourish the visual system. These sensitive tissues consume 1/3 of all the oxygen the human body requires. Metabolism in the eyes is faster than anywhere else in the body. The concentration of Vitamin C in a healthy eye is higher than anywhere else in the body! Low levels of chromium, an essential trace mineral, is a major risk factor for increased intra-ocular pressure- this is due to the fact that chromium plays such a major role in helping muscles contract.

Because of these facts, it is not surprising that proper nutrition plays an extremely important role in preventing and treating all of todays common eye diseases- Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Macular Degeneration, Dry Eyes, Diabetic Retinopathy, etc.

Our ancestors knew for hundreds and even thousands of years how essential proper nutrition was: Carrots (containing high amounts of Pro-Vitamin A beta carotene) were used to enhance circulation and increase eye pigment, Bilberry Fruit was used in World War II to reverse night blindness commonly seen in the pilots who flew aircrafts, and fatty fish, with their high Essential Fatty Acid content (omega-6 and omega-3) provided proper nourishment for a growing youngster; but it is only until recent that major scientific breakthroughs have allowed this common knowledge to become scientific fact!

Today we hear promising and exciting news about how nutritional supplements significantly benefit our eyes! Headline studies have included: "Major Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Retina", "AMD slowed with increased dietary fat (Essential Fats) and decrease in trans fats", " Lutein found to fortify Macular Layer, increase Pigment, and support overall eye health", "Treatment with Lipoic Acid, Vitamin B12 heal and even reverse damage of Glaucoma", and "Evening Primrose Oil a substantial benefit for Dry Eye Patients", to name a few.

An Individualized Approach to Chronic Eye Diseases

Our practice focuses on preventative eye care, with an emphasis on individualized treatment plans for our patients. Dr. Gindi integrates the latest diagnostic tools with pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements. During a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Gindi spends time with her patients to address their nutritional needs and offers counseling to improve their ocular health!

Diet vs. Supplementation

The question always arrives. How then shall we supply these natural substances: by the diet alone, or through supplementation? The answer is essentially: both; but of course is not that simple. Even a diet very rich in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables would fall short of the recommended intakes that would be suggested for individuals suffering from or at risk for oxidative eye diseases. However, the facts show that only 9% of Americans daily consume the two fruits and three vegetables recommended by the NCI. The elderly, the population most effected by these conditions, are very reluctant to change dietary habits and are more likely to benefit from supplementation of the ingredients listed above. These recommendations are coming from even the most reluctant and hesitant sources. In fact, a study of 17,000 male physicians over 5 years showed that those physicians who took a multivitamin (not specifically designed for the eye) were 27% less likely to develop cataracts. Studies are continuing with many of the ingredients listed here in long-term, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trials. Health conscious patients must consume as many green leafy vegetables as possible, things such as spinach and collard greens. They should increase the intake of fruits and yellow vegetables. The more natural pigments, the better. Avoid rancid and trans-fatty acids(hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils), these will always lead to increased lipid peroxidation, decrease antioxidant concentrations, and tax an already loaded lipid enzymatic machinery. Older patients should supplement their diet with a broad multivitamin and mineral product that gives them adequate levels of all the B vitamins, magnesium, and the trace minerals. Patients with active oxidative damage should take immediate measures to increase the intake of as many of the ingredients listed in this article as possible, as well as reduce exposure to direct sunlight with the use of sunglasses that block UV-light. Within the natural world there are a number of compounds that have profound effects on conditions that are listed as essentially incurable. And once again the established medical paradigm reveals their view of these conditions and their treatment is still rather shortsighted.

Supplement Quality

Because personal health/wellness has become mainstream in society today, demands for quality nutritional supplements have never been greater. With demand will sometimes come quick and inexpensive ways to manufacture, produce, and research dietary supplements, with little to no regulation surrounding their efficacy (how well they work). Because supplements are not as heavily regulated as pharmaceutical drugs, it becomes the manufacturers primary responsibility to adhere to quality standards and principles. Unfortunately, though, most companies found in health food stores and pharmacies fall very short of doing this. They replace truth in labeling, with what will make the most money, often overlooking science. And sadly, this becomes a major concern for consumers who put their trust in the products they are taking.

In our practice, you will find only the highest quality dietary supplements. The supplements we use are all 3rd party assayed, which means the manufacturers submit their products on their own to an independent lab, who then verifies whether the label claim is accurate. This takes the guesswork out of wondering what is in the product. It also assures the physician and patient that the product is free of toxins such as the heavy metals mercury, lead, and cadmium, and has also tested negative for contaminants. Our practice only uses pharmaceutical grade products. This means that the quality of the raw material meets or exceeds pharmaceutical drug standards. All of the manufacturers we use adhere to GMP certification, which is the government's regulatory body over dietary supplements. Many of these manufacturers are able to produce pharmaceuticals in their labs, and their products are considered drugs in European countries because of this commitment to quality. Finally, our manufacturers have been chosen without solicitation by major universities and research organizations, to use their products in clinical studies, which signifies the deep trust that these organizations have in the products they are using. Our practice makes available all assay sheets from our manufacturers whenever requested.

Our commitment never wavers to our patients: To improve the health and wellness of our patients by integrating the latest diagnostic tools with the best in integrative optometry. We help you to see beyond 20/20 eyesight!

Supplement Links

• www.pubmed.com - The National Institutes of Health online service that provides over 17 million published clinical studies from various peer-reviewed medical journals.

• www.xymogen.com - Xymogen manufactures, produces, and researches top of the line pharmaceutical-grade supplements, available only through licensed physicians. Many of their products have been selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for use in clinical studies pertaining to cancer, diabetes, macular degeneration, et al.

• www.emersonecologics.com - Emerson Ecologics provides healthcare professionals with the highest quality nutritional supplements from the world's leading manufacturers of professional supplements. You may request a password and username from our office, in order to access all of the resources found on this website.

• www.thorne.com - For over 20 years, Thorne Research has set the standard for exceptional formulations, quality, and purity in the nutritional supplement industry. Thorne holds many US patents on their excellent, well-studied nutraceutical products.

Please send any questions about this material or supplement information to supplements@drnoragindi.com.

Some Interesting Eye Facts

• Vitamin C lowers intra-ocular pressure

• The eye is sometimes referred to as the "barometer of health" because its antioxidant status most closely reflects that of the rest of the body (through its vitamin C, E and taurine concentrations)

• In a double-blind study, supplementation with a standardized extract of Gingko Biloba in the amount of 40 mg. three times per day for four weeks partially reversed visual filed damage in people with normal tension glaucoma

• Scientific surveys have shown that Inuit people, who consume large amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, have much lower incidence (70% lower) of some types of glaucoma that do Caucasians

• Harvard researchers reported that people eating the most Lutein and Zeaxanthin (two powerful antioxidants/free radical scavengers)- an average of 5.8 mg. per day- had a 57% decreased risk of Macular Degeneration, compared with people eating the least

• Sunlight triggers oxidative damage in the eye, which in turn can cause Macular Degeneration. Subjects given antioxidants-, which protects against oxidative damage- had a lower risk of this vision problem. Those with the highest levels (top 20th percentile) of the antioxidants selenium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E had a 70% lower risk of developing Macular Degeneration, compared with people with the lowers levels of these nutrients (bottom 20th percentile)

• Two important enzymes in the retina that are needed for vision, heavily depend on Zinc. In a double-blinded trial, supplementation with 45 mg. of Zinc per day for one to two years significantly reduced the rate of visual loss in people with Macular Degeneration

• In a double blind, six-month study of people with AMD, vision was the same or better in 88% of the people who took a nutritional supplement, compared with 59% of those who refused supplementation (a statistically significant difference). The supplement contained beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Riboflavin

•Alpha Lipoic Acid can significantly reduce diabetic cataract formation, as well as neuropathy, and would seem to be an ideal neuro-protective substance in the treatment of all oxidative brain and neural disorders involving free radical processesReferences provided when requested.

Packer, L., Ann N y Acad Sci 1994 Nov 17;738:257-64. Packer, L. Free Radic Biol Med 1997;22(1-2):359-78

This PDF requires a free plugin that may have come included with your browser. If you are having difficulties opening this file Click Here to go to Adobe's web site for Acrobat Reader.