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Neurogenesis, Eye and Brain Health – Artificial neurons successfully communicate with living brain cells

artificial neuronAs we get older, it’s common to notice changes in memory, focus, and mental sharpness. Researchers often discuss these changes in relation to neurogenesis—the ongoing creation of new brain cells—which tends to slow down with age. Because neurogenesis supports the brain’s ability to adapt and maintain itself (often called plasticity), a decline may be associated with reduced cognitive performance over time.

Age-related factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation are frequently discussed as reasons neurogenesis may slow down. At the same time, healthy dietary patterns and lifestyle habits are often studied for their potential to support brain health and the processes involved in maintaining brain tissue.
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How Can Glutathione Help the Eyes and Brain?

Is Glutathione important for eye health?Glutathione is a master antioxidant, meaning it can help neutralize a wide range of free radicals in the body. This article explains the roles glutathione plays in the body, focusing on why it matters for healthy aging. We review how glutathione supports the eyes’ natural defenses against oxidative stress. And, we discuss research linking lower glutathione levels with common vision concerns such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, along with a brief look at emerging research on glutathione’s role in cellular protein handling. It also covers practical ways to support glutathione through diet and supplementation.
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Natural Support for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Diet, Supplements, and Microcurrent Therapy

macular degeneration can lead to significant vision lossOne of the fastest-growing vision-threatening eye conditions is Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The main reason is improvements in healthcare, which have led to longer life expectancies. At Natural Eye Care, we believe that the visual system uses approximately 25% of the nutrients taken into the body. Many factors associated with aging reduce the availability of nutrients to the visual system. As a result, eye diseases such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts occur more frequently in seniors.

The age-related issues include:

  • Lower caloric needs
  • A more sedentary lifestyle
  • Digestive enzymes, which help break down food, are less
  • Emotional changes as you retire
  • Poor diet – convenience, cooking for only one or two, less energy for shopping and food preparation, lower income to pay for quality foods
  • Health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and autoimmune issues
  • Medication side effects

A few people have inherited genes that can increase their risk of developing Macular Degeneration, but this can occur before their senior years.
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Smart DNA Cancer Treatments; Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease: Staying Informed

cancer cell
Depiction of cancer cells

At Natural Eye Care, we want to keep our readers informed about new developments in health and wellness. Sometimes that means looking at breakthrough medical research, such as promising new cancer treatment technology or new findings about inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. It also means helping you better understand how inflammation may affect eye health and sharing natural ways to support overall wellness. In this article, we bring these topics together to highlight how ongoing research and whole-body health can both contribute to long-term well-being.
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Are Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Diabetic Retinopathy, Allergies, Heart Disease, Cognitive Decline, and Abnormal Gut Bacteria?

Low calorie sweetener warning tapeScientific studies strongly suggest that artificial sweeteners, once thought to be safe alternatives to sugar, are linked to significant health risks. Key findings include increased risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cognitive decline, and potential carcinogenicity.1 2 Artificial sweeteners discussed include erythritol, sucralose, and aspartame, which can alter gut microbiota,3 increase inflammation, and cause blood clotting.
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  1. Liu L, Zhang P, Wang Y, Cui W, Li D. “The relationship between the use of artificial sweeteners and cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.” Food Sci Nutr. 2021;9:4589-4597. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2395.
  2. Weihrauch MR, Diehl V. “Artificial sweeteners–do they bear a carcinogenic risk?” Ann Oncol. 2004;15:1460-1465. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdh256.
  3. Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Plaza-Diaz J, Saez-Lara MJ, Gil A. “Effects of sweeteners on the gut microbiota: a review of experimental studies and clinical trials.” Adv Nutr. 2019;10:0-48. doi:10.1093/advances/nmy037.

Can I Get Better Sleep by Reading at Night Instead of Screen Time?

Senior reading at before sleep time instead of watching a screenReading at night is recommended for health and improved sleep, compared with staring at electronic screens. Studies show that nighttime reading can improve sleep quality, lower stress, and reduce exposure to blue light, which can disrupt melatonin.1 Using phones, laptops, tablets, and televisions close to bedtime can make it tougher to drift off. The blue-leaning light they emit can interfere with your body’s natural “time to sleep” signals.2
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  1. ScienceDaily. “Blue light exposure may affect sleep quality, study suggests.” August 22, 2017. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170822103434.htm
  2. Chang, Anne-Marie, Daniel Aeschbach, Jeanne F. Duffy, and Charles A. Czeisler. “Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112, no. 4 (2015): 1232-1237. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1418490112

How Does Astaxanthin Help the Skin, Vision, Brain, and Aging?

salmon is high in astaxanthinA large body of scientific research backs up the claim that astaxanthin is great for your body. As a potent antioxidant, astaxanthin scavenges free radicals that cause cellular damage. This benefits many parts of the body, including your skin, eyes, and brain. What is astaxanthin? Where does it come from? And what does the latest research say about its benefits?

Astaxanthin is a Pigment that Makes Seafood Pink

Astaxanthin is a marine xanthophyll carotenoid primarily produced by microalgae like Haematococcus pluvialis. Dietary astaxanthin can be obtained through seafood, including salmon, trout, shrimp, and krill.
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Brain Fog – How to Improve It? And Its Relationship to Vision Health

Senior has brain fog, forgetfulness and confusion.Brain fog means that you walk into a room and forget why you’re there. You reread the same sentence because the meaning does not sink in. Or you cannot find the words mid-conversation, even though you know what you want to say. If you are a senior who is experiencing brain fog, how can you improve it? And how does it affect your vision health?

A scientific report associated brain fog with the words “‘forgetful,’ ‘cloudy,’ and ‘difficulty focusing, thinking, and communicating’.”1 The decreased cognitive abilities we call “brain fog” can include slow or hazy thinking, confusion, lack of motivation to exercise, difficulty concentrating, trouble remembering things, difficulty focusing, irritability, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and low motivation.
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  1. Ross AJ, Medow MS, Rowe PC, Stewart JM. What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome. Clin Auton Res. 2013 Dec;23(6):305-311.

Is TUDCA a Promising Supplement For Vision Health?

Seniors playing cardsIf you’ve been diagnosed with an eye condition later in life, you’ve probably noticed that most “eye health” conversations focus on vitamins.1 Those can be important, but researchers are also exploring a different strategy: helping retinal cells survive stress.2

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  1. Jackson G.R., Barber A.J. Visual dysfunction associated with diabetic retinopathy. Curr. Diabetes Rep. 2010;10:380–384. doi: 10.1007/s11892-010-0132-4
  2. Daruich A., Picard E., Boatright J.H., Behar-Cohen F. Review: The bile acids urso- and tauroursodeoxycholic acid as neuroprotective therapies in retinal disease. Mol. Vis. 2019;25:610–624.

Vitamin D3 and Your Eyes: Why So Many Adults Are Vitamin D Deficient

Vitamin D3 supplements

Vitamin D is often called the “bone vitamin,” but that’s only part of the story. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) also influences systems your eyes rely on every day—especially as we get older: inflammation control, immune regulation, oxidative stress protection, and even how the body manages blood vessel growth.

And here’s the real-world issue: most people don’t get enough vitamin D consistently. Food sources are limited, sunlight is seasonal and complex (plus many of us avoid it for skin health), and modern indoor life takes care of the rest.
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Natural Eye Care, Inc.
3 Paradies Lane
New Paltz, New York 12561
Phone: 845.475.4158

Natural Eye Care

NaturalEyeCare™ started in 1999 to help the public and professionals learn about complementary care in eye disease treatment.

The information and recommendations we offer are based on over 30 years of peer review research and personal clinical experience which guides us in providing a valuable resource to our readers, customers and patients regarding maintaining healthy vision naturally.

We believe that vision health is intimately connected to overall mental, physical and spiritual health. Therefore we encourage people to look at their overall lifestyle and diet as part of keeping healthy vision and reducing the risk of eye disease onset. This includes diet, regular exercise, and management of daily stress. If one has health issues such as high blood pressure, a thyroid imbalance, any autoimmune disease and/or are on medication(s), these possible contributions to eye disease should considered when working with your health care professional.

Please do not hesitate to call us at 845.475.4158 with any questions and concerns.

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