Submitted by YHR on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 09:52
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, so Dr. Cherry takes this opportunity to explain how specific natural ingredients can function in the body to help promote eye health.
First, let’s take a closer look at glaucoma, known as "the sneak thief of sight."
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness, with over 2.2 million Americans having the condition. However, experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it; as much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.
Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages. In the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost.
Vision loss from glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which acts like an electric cable with over a million wires and is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain. In most cases of glaucoma, the damage to the optic nerve is caused by increased pressure within the eye.
Getting comprehensive eye examinations is key in detecting glaucoma. But you don’t have to wait until you are diagnosed to do something about protecting your eyes.
On the video, Dr. Cherry talks about new research that has come out about glaucoma, and the natural ingredients that may offer protective effects.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, naturally occurring compounds which are related to lycopene, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, have been found to have protective effects on the optic nerve.
Anything that protects the optic nerve also protects the macula, at the back of the eye where the maximum sharpness, or focusing of the eye occurs. A deterioration of this area is called macular degeneration.
Other factors that we need to protect against in the eye include cataracts, an oxidative process that occurs in the lens of the eye, which causes fogginess.
You can do something proactive when it comes to your vision. Our New & Improved Vision Support includes lutein and zeaxanthin, zinc (a critical compound for eye health), and other nutrients to provide support and protect the eye.
For more on what you can do to care for your eyes and vision, see Take Steps to Protect Your Eyes.
While sunshine can improve mood and helps the body to produce Vitamin D (and you are correct that Vitamin D has numerous health benefits), the negative aspects of too much UV exposure are quite real. Skin cancers are the most common of all cancers, and research shows that up to 90% are caused by UV exposure. (And while not necessarily harmful, wrinkling and aging of the skin are also effects of sun damage.)
But it certainly doesn’t mean we need to stay inside or avoid the sun altogether – as you say, we should be out enjoying God’s creations! However, we should protect ourselves to avoid overexposure to UV radiation. And you are right; all sunscreens are not created equal. Those that use a physical barrier (such as titanium oxide) are considered better than chemical sunscreens. Also, the first line of defense doesn’t have to be sunscreen, but can be shade, protective clothing and avoiding the noontime sun.
5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure of hands, face and arms two to three times a week (less if you are closer to the equator) during the summer months is often recommended for vitamin D production, but because the sun is not consistent year-round, we recommend taking a daily vitamin D supplement to ensure adequate amounts for optimal health.
Regarding the eyes, there is quite a bit of research that links even low amounts of sunlight to an increased risk of developing eye damage such as cataracts, and the effects are cumulative over a lifetime. God has created us in such a way that the eyes are somewhat protected, but hats and sunglasses provide more coverage and still allow us to enjoy the outdoors.
As for the less frequent occurrence of skin cancer and/or eye disease in Africa, it may be explained in part by the fact that dark-skinned populations have a much lower incidence of skin cancer and can safely tolerate relatively high levels of UV radiation without getting burnt, and darker eye color provides more UV protection than lighter eye-colors.
I have heard long ago, that all the blood in the body passes through the back of the eyes in about a 2 hour period, and that the UV rays actually activate certain chemicals in the blood that are healthful. Also, our bodies need sunlight to promote the levels of vitamin D which is good for the bones, immune system and other health factors. Much of mainstream medicine seems to tell us we should "protect" ourselves from the sun by wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen products. I have heard that using sunscreen products can actually cause certain cancers. I believe God designed us to enjoy the outdoors and certainly not to "fear" the sun. I personally spent much of my life in the sun ususally without any glasses or sunscreen (except as a child to prevent sunburn laying on the beach). I have no eye or skin problems and am in my mid 50's. Humans have survived most of history without glasses and sunscreen and i am not aware of historically rampant cancers or many of the common eye diseases that occur today. Further, i have heard (from nutritionally based MD's and pHD's that populations in the world that have high exposure to the sun, such as in Africa, where most do not use sunscreen, that the common eye and skin diseases are much lower than in the U.S. Dr. Cherry, can you please provide some advice on these two items.
Thank you. scott
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