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Add Nutritional Sun Protection to Your Summer

Protection Against Sun Exposure

sun protection - girl and dadSummertime is here, and it is great to be outdoors enjoying the wonderful weather. Some daily exposure to sunlight helps build up Vitamin D in the body and is good for eye health, but excessive exposure can lead to skin damage, skin cancer, and even promote eye disease which may include macular degeneration, other retinal disorders, and cataracts. Ongoing exposure to blue light increases the risk of neovascular (wet) macular degeneration, particularly associated with low levels of antioxidants, and especially low levels of vitamin C and zeaxanthin.1 Another study suggested that extended exposure to sunlight outdoors may be associated with age-related maculopathy.2
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  1. Fletcher, A.E., Bentham, G.C., Agnew, M., Young, I.S., Augood, C., et al. (2008). Sunlight exposure, antioxidants, and age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol, Oct;126(10):1396-403.
  2. Cruickshanks, K.J., Klein, R., Klein, B.E. (1993). Sunlight and age-related macular degeneration. The Beaver Dam Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol. 111(4):514-518.

Summer Chickpea-Cilantro-Sesame Burgers

Extra burgers, ready to freeze

Here’s a summer bonus!  Vege-burgers with a twist.  Easy to make, just put it all in your food processor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 c cooked chickpeas (garbanzos) – that’s a 15oz can
  • 1/3 c red onion, coarsely chopped


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What are Micronutrients?

Micronutrients Fe Zn CaAbout Micronutrients

Vitamins, minerals, and other special nutrients are known as micronutrients because we only need tiny amounts of each one. However, micronutrients are essential for well-being, healthy development, and disease prevention. The human body needs nearly 30 micronutrients, but it can only produce one: vitamin D.
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All About Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids foods and supplementsThe standard Western diet, with many processed foods, white grains, fats, sugars, preservatives, and flavorings lacks essential nutrients to support the retina. These non-beneficial components aggravate inflammation in the body – an underlying, and sometimes a direct cause of illness, premature aging, and cellular degeneration.

Essential nutrients include a wide range of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and vitamin-like nutrients. Among them, a star component of good health and good vision, are the omega-3 fatty acids.
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Nutrition for Diabetic Retinopathy

diabetic retinopathy nutrition - fruits and vegetablesDid you know that proper nutrition and exercise can help prevent diabetic retinopathy?1  Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye’s retina; it is a leading cause of vision loss in the world. About 10% of Americans have diabetes. One in three people with diabetes has symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Of these, a further one-third have vision-threatening DR, including diabetic macular edema. And yet, the condition can potentially be preventable.
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  1. Bryl A, Mrugacz M, Falkowski M, Zorena K. (2022). The Effect of Diet and Lifestyle on the Course of Diabetic Retinopathy-A Review of the Literature. Nutrients. Mar 16;14(6):1252.

Protect Your Eyes During Allergy Season

Sneezing and eye redness from seasonal allergyAllergy season is once again upon us, causing many people a great deal of discomfort, including eye irritation and redness. According to conservative estimates, more than one in five Americans has allergies, and the number rises every year.

And to compound the problem, researchers have noted that due to climate change, allergy season will be longer in the upper latitude of North America.
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Why is the Vagus Nerve Important?

Gut-Brain Access

vagus nerve connecting brain and gut“Mind-body connection”? It is the link between our emotional/mental and physical selves. The link becomes evident as you learn about gut-brain access and the function of the vagus nerve.

Through two-way communication with the brain via the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system, the gut and central nervous system form a gut-brain axis. They communicate with each other constantly, in both sickness and health.1 The gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system that includes neurotransmitters, neurons, and electrical signals. Called the enteric nervous system, it is often referred to as the second brain. Researchers have concluded that mechanisms that degenerate the neurons in the brain also degenerate neurons in the enteric nervous system.2 For example, exercise stimulates gut motility. If the vagus nerve is impaired, as in animal models, the gut has limited motility and nutrient absorption is hindered.3
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  1. Grenham S, Clarke G, Cryan JF, Dinan TG. (2011). Brain-gut-microbe communication in health and disease. Front Physiol. 2011; 2():94.
  2. Wade PR, Cowen T. Neurodegeneration: a key factor in the ageing gut. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2004 Apr;16 Suppl 1:19-23.
  3. Wang Y, Kondo T, Suzukamo Y, Oouchidaa Y, Izumi S. (2010). Vagal nerve regulation is essential for the increase in gastric motility in response to mild exercise. Tohoku J Exp Med. 222(2):155-62.

Retina Scans Identify Early Onset Disease

retina scan
Retina Scan

A growing body of evidence continues to show that the microvasculature in the retina may be a reliable indicator of the overall health of the body’s circulatory system and brain. Changes in the eye accompany aging and also reflect other health conditions and various age-related diseases include: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, AIDS, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

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Green Space Lowers Risk of Myopia

family playing in green spaceMyopia on the Rise

Lifestyle changes resulting in reduced outdoor activities coupled with rapid urbanization have been associated with a huge increase in nearsightedness (myopia) across many parts of the world. Indoor activities include concentrated near-work and digital device use which results in myopia.1
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  1. Peng BA, Naduvilath TJ, Flitcroft DI, Jong M. Is myopia prevalence related to outdoor green space? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021 Nov;41(6):1371-1381

Vision Health Linked to Personality

Vision Health Linked to PersonalityUnderstanding your personality is one key to understanding your vision strengths and weaknesses.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) divides humanity into five types, based on the five elements:

  • Wood: The Controller
  • Fire: The Performer


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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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