Detoxification is essential for maintaining health. It is the body’s natural process of identifying, breaking down, and eliminating potentially harmful substances. The liver does most of this work, while the kidneys, digestive system, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system help remove waste through urine, stool, breath, and sweat. The body continuously detoxifies itself; it does not require special cleanses or extreme diets to perform these essential functions. Several mechanisms in the body accomplish this work.
Two of the most important are the glymphatic and lymphatic systems.
The glymphatic system is the brain’s waste-clearance pathway. It relies on glial cells and cerebrospinal fluid to remove metabolic waste, especially during deep sleep.
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The fact that the retina and optic nerve are brain tissue could give doctors instant insight into Alzheimer’s disease. Modern eye-scanning technology is beginning to detect brain problems by examining the retina. Non-invasive exams and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans can detect the early appearance of beta-amyloid plaques and tau proteins. Plaques and tau proteins are found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Their appearance in the retina may indicate early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The earlier Alzheimer’s is caught, the more time a patient has to head it off, particularly through diet, exercise, and targeted supplementation.
Unlike the brain, the retina can be photographed and measured quickly, without surgery or ionizing radiation. A scientific review published in July 2026 examines the growing evidence that Alzheimer’s-related changes may affect retinal nerve cells, blood vessels, supporting cells, and proteins. 1 The findings are encouraging, but they do not mean that an eye examination can currently tell you whether you have Alzheimer’s disease.
The retina is part of your central nervous system. It develops from the same embryonic tissue as the brain and contains neurons, immune cells, blood vessels, and protective barriers that are similar to those in the brain. 2
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A widely used food thickener, xanthan gum, may have more complex effects on the gut than previously recognized. Xanthan gum helps give many highly processed ice creams, sorbets, and yogurts their gooey, creamy texture.* Valued for its thickening, stabilizing, and gelling properties, xanthan gum is among the food industry’s most widely used additives. It can also make liquids easier and safer to swallow for people who have difficulty swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. The additive is common in ultra-processed foods, gluten-free products, baked goods, protein shakes, sauces, gravy, salad dressings, and supplements.
Research from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil raises questions about the effects of prolonged consumption of xanthan gum.1 Rats that received it for ten weeks developed colon inflammation, changes in their gut microbiota, and reduced intestinal barrier integrity.
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GLP-1 drugs have produced remarkable weight-loss results for many people, but can these medications have serious side effects? Weight-loss medications containing semaglutide, including Wegovy and Ozempic, reduce appetite through several interconnected systems involving the brain, digestive tract, pancreas, hormones, and nerves. 1
Semaglutide does not appear to cross the blood-brain barrier freely. Instead, it can reach or influence selected appetite-regulating areas, including regions of the hypothalamus and brainstem. 2 By affecting appetite and food-reward signaling, the medication can help you feel satisfied with less food and may reduce cravings and eating motivated primarily by pleasure rather than hunger. 3
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Healthy cooking can help protect your eyes, brain, heart, and overall wellness. The way you choose, prepare, cook, and store food can affect nutrient levels, toxin exposure, inflammation, blood sugar balance, and long-term disease risk. Simple choices, such as using safer cookware, limiting aluminum exposure, choosing fresh or frozen foods over canned foods, and cooking with healthy oils, can make everyday meals more nourishing.
This article shares practical cooking tips for healthy eating, including how to reduce aluminum exposure, choose safer cookware, prepare vegetables and proteins, support the body’s natural detoxification pathways, and make a nutrient-rich French Peasant Stew. These healthy cooking strategies are especially helpful for people who want to support vision health, reduce oxidative stress, and build better daily habits without making food preparation complicated.
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New study finds link between microplastics and heart disease. The tiny pieces of plastic flake off water bottles, chip off cutting boards, rinse out of polyester blouses and coffee pods, and come from many other objects. These do not only build up in the environment, but also accumulate in the body.
A 2024 study found that microplastics make their way into the arterial plaques, and end up causing fatty deposits inside the blood vessels. People whose plaques contained plastic particles were more likely to suffer heart attacks or strokes or die from other causes in the following years as compared to those without plastic detected in the plaque.
In a study published in the European Heart Journal, the results found that 84% of the people who had a heart attack had plastics in their blood, compared with only 40% of people with less severe heart disease and 32% of control patients with normal arteries.
The conclusion was that these study results provided further evidence that heart disease risk may be linked to plastic exposure. 1
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Updated July 23, 2026: This is a fluid situation. Health officials are still investigating several Cyclospora outbreaks, and the source of every case has not yet been confirmed.
The microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis has recently been linked with contaminated produce in the United States. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that can spread when people eat raw produce or drink water contaminated with the parasite. Fresh herbs, leafy greens, lettuce, berries, and other raw fruits and vegetables have been involved in past outbreaks. The incubation period typically ranges from 2 to 14 days, with an average of about 1 week.
One multistate outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Federal investigators traced that specific outbreak to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico and sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Farms voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market.
However, the situation has become more complicated. The FDA first reported that one lettuce sample had tested positive for Cyclospora. After further review, the FDA said that result should be considered a false positive. As of the FDA’s update, there were no confirmed positive product test results for Cyclospora, although traceback and outbreak data still pointed to the recalled lettuce supply chain in that specific outbreak.
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Research on the dangers of artificial sweeteners continues to roll out. A 2026 Tufts University review and meta-analysis compared studies of artificial and low-calorie sweeteners with non-caloric options. 1 The researchers found that artificial sweeteners increased fasting insulin and HbA1c numbers, and tended to reduce insulin sensitivity. Additionally, they pointed to how artificial sweeteners change the gut microbiome as a possible culprit.
Non-nutritive, artificial sweeteners are FDA-approved, low-calorie alternatives to sugar. They can be synthetic or naturally derived and are found in a range of products, from diet soda to protein bars to sugar-free gum. They are also used as coffee sweeteners.
Multiple studies have shown various side effects associated with the use of these sweeteners. These side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, 2 neurologic (damage) 3 and taste perception changes, 4 allergic reactions, 5 insulin and metabolic effects, 6 and cardiovascular effects. 7
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Eye conditions such as macular degeneration can sometimes lead to visual hallucinations. A visual hallucination means seeing something that is not really there.
The eyes send visual signals to the brain, and the brain interprets them. When vision loss reduces the amount of information reaching the brain, the brain may fill in the missing visual details. This can cause a person to see grid patterns, people, lines, shapes, or other images that are not actually in front of them.
This is known as Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS). It is linked to vision loss and does not mean that a person is losing touch with reality.
Which eye conditions can cause visual hallucinations? How can you identify and manage them? Is it possible to prevent these eye conditions in the first place? Can nutrition and supplements help?
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Natural Eye Care, Inc.
3 Paradies Lane
New Paltz, New York 12561
Phone: 845.475.4158
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.
