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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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How Do the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 Compare to the Mediterranean Diet?

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its long-awaited update to the nation’s dietary guidelines on January 7, 2026, promising a “historic reset” that puts real, minimally processed food back at the center of American nutrition policy 1. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are high, and these guidelines aim to “Make America Healthy Again.”

On the other hand, the Mediterranean Diet is popular for its proven benefits in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting long-term wellness. It focuses on plant-based meals, healthy fats, and a balanced lifestyle. At Natural Eye Care, we adapted the Mediterranean Diet specifically for people with vision issues and called it the Vision Diet. This diet includes additional recommendations on antioxidant intake, organic foods, and avoiding certain additives and fats 2.
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  1. USDA Press Release, https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases
  2. Natural Eye Care, https://www.naturaleyecare.com/

Can Stem Cell Therapy Help with Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Other Eye Diseases?

Representation of stem cells.
Stem cell research is transforming the field of vision care and bringing fresh hope to those affected by a wide variety of eye conditions. Scientists are making strides in everything from restoring sight for people with corneal damage to finding new ways to replace or repair cells lost to diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma. Although most of these treatments are still being tested, the advances so far are both promising and inspiring. In this article, we explore how stem cell therapy works for various eye conditions, highlight the different types of stem cells used in vision research, and summarize the latest breakthroughs for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome. We also touch on the important considerations and safety issues involved with these emerging treatments. And, we share practical lifestyle tips that can support your eye health alongside the latest scientific advances.
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Stevia, Monk Fruit and Other Sugar Alternatives for Better Health

Monk Fruit Sweetener
Monk Fruit

Stevia, monk fruit, and other natural sugar substitutes offer sweetness  without the health risks of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. In this article, we will cover the benefits and safety of these alternatives. And, we will talk about why cutting back on refined foods and steering clear of chemical sweeteners can make a real difference for your long-term health. Choosing the right sweetener is not just about calories or taste. Reducing your intake of refined sugars and processed foods can help lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. At the same time, avoiding artificial sweeteners may support better gut health, metabolism, and overall wellness.


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Neurogenesis Regrows Brain and Eye Tissue

Scientists examine a brain model. Research into neurogenesis regrows brainDid you know your brain is capable of growing new cells and forging fresh connections, even as you age? The science of neurogenesis is reshaping our understanding of brain and eye health. Neuroplasticity isn’t just for kids! About 30 years ago, scientists began to acknowledge the brain’s amazing ability to adapt in all stages of life. In this article, we will discuss the science of neuroplasticity and how it impacts both the brain and the eyes. Also, we will talk about how neurogenesis regrows brain and eye tissue, and how it could improve eye conditions such as glaucoma. And, we will recommend nutrients that can help your brain build new connections and neurons.
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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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