The Eyes Have It
The Martial Art of Wellness
Volume 18 – August 2019
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to this month’s BioNews. We learn to free ourselves from controls exerted over us. As we research we become FREE, we become powerful. This pursuit of self-defense in wellness, I call “The Martial Art of Wellness.” And with practice we become Ninjas.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
” In the US, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI), in 2010, 2.1 million Americans had age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 2.7 million had glaucoma, 24.4 million had cataracts, and 7.7 million had diabetic retinopathy. The number of people affected by these diseases is expected to double by 2050 “
THIS ISSUE’S TESTIMONIAL
” My sister-in-law, Glendia B. that you helped to get on a program for her macular degeneration, has had much improvement since. Thank you so much.”
– Marietta P., USA
THE MARTIAL ART OF WELLNESS ( The Eyes Have It )
– Article contributed by Maureen Murphy, CNC, ND
Eyesight is our most important sense and one that some may take for granted. Unfortunately, statistics show that by the time we hit age 40, the likelihood of eye-related problems increases, and by the time we reach our mid-60s, most of us will experience some measure of vision loss.
With aging, the lenses of the eye become less hard and flexible, and muscles that control the pupil size and reaction to light lose some strength. Having certain diseases – such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or cardiovascular diseases – can increase the risk of early onset presbyopia (farsightedness). Certain drugs can also cause premature symptoms, including antidepressants, antihistamines and diuretics.
The most common causes of vision loss are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye and glaucoma.
ARMD or AMD: age-related macular degeneration gradually destroys sharp, central vision and is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss. Normal metabolic processes and the absorption of UV light generates free radicals and oxidants, which cause damage to photoreceptors in the eye, leading to impaired function and, overtime, to the degeneration of the central part of the retina – the macula.
Cataracts: a cataract is the clouding of the transparent lens of the eye. Cataracts can be caused by oxidative stress, which damages the lens protein.
Diabetic Eye Disease: most commonly diabetic retinopathy – is a complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness.
Dry Eye: is caused by a lack of adequate tears – a complex mixture of water, fatty oils and mucus. This condition can also lead to increased risk of eye infections. There are a variety of factors that can lead to dry eyes, including exposure to smoke, excess air blowing towards your eyes (A/C, fans, hairdryers, etc.), excessive use of computers, aging, and/or eating a diet that is low in vitamin A. Cataract surgery can also cause oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially triggering dry eye post-operatively.
Glaucoma: is usually associated with high pressure in the eye and affects side or peripheral vision. Glaucoma can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Aqueous humor – a clear gel-like fluid in the front part of the eye – circulates through the front of the eye to provide antioxidant protection and nourishment to the lens and cornea. It also removes metabolic waste from the eye by draining into the bloodstream. Impaired outflow and retention of aqueous humor results in accumulation of free radicals, inflammation, strain on blood vessels, and inefficient capillary blood flow, prompting the onset of glaucoma.
How to prevent eye problems
There are several relatively simple things you can do to help maintain optimal vision and safeguard your eyes from injury and/or age-related vision problems.
Eat Right! Make sure to eat a variety of colorful fresh fruits, dark leafy vegetables, carrots, red pepper, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, strawberries, chia seeds, flaxseed, walnuts – these key foods contain vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A & C, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin – two xanthophyll pigments that benefit the retina in reducing the risk of light-induced oxidative damage.
Exercise
Exercise improves blood circulation, which improves oxygen levels to the eyes and the removal of toxins.
Protect your eyes
Inside, make sure you use appropriate protective eyewear for sports, woodworking, metallurgy, working with chemicals, etc. and use brimmed hats and good sunglasses when outside in bright sun for extended periods.
Beware of the “Blue Light Special”
Using digital devices expose your eyes to high energy blue light which can damage the eye’s retina. To help prevent eye strain and damage, keep your computer screen within 20-24” of your eye with the top slightly below eye level, blink frequently, minimize glare from your screen and, every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Quit smoking!
Smoking dramatically raises your risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Keep your hands and lenses clean
Keeping your hands clean is so important when it comes to your eyes, especially if you’re a contact lens wearer.
Get a good night’s sleep
There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to help your eyes feel fresh and rested!
Make sure to consume BAC daily
Just one capsule of Bio-Algae Concentrates (BAC) -(Find out more about BAC at http://awakeningthegeniuswithin.com/) is the most complete brain food on the planet – supplying the body with over 5,000 nutrients, a complete and synergistic complement of eye-health critical micronutrients like alpha and beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin as well as several other carotenoids; vitamins A, B, B12, C, E & K plus most minerals, omega essential fatty acids and much, much more! In BAC, there are three best carotenoids known to traverse the blood-retinal barrier: lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, as well as many more known beneficial carotenoids and many not yet identified.
These unique BAC formulas provide the ultimate nutritional energy to help support and strengthen as well as repair damage caused by oxidative stress not only in the eyes, but throughout the entire body! The antioxidants and other micronutrients in BAC help eliminate free radicals and oxidants, in turn helping to prevent further cellular damage to the macula. There are more than 10 human clinical studies that show the efficacy of astaxanthin in supporting the ciliary muscles responsible for production of aqueous humor. BAC provides the ultimate in nutritional energy to help your body purge itself of toxic debris left over from years of smoking or other toxic exposure!
BAC has incredible UV-blocking properties, acting as “nutritional sunglasses” and protecting the eyes from excessive sun exposure that can cause cataracts.
Including BAC in your daily regimen is one of the BEST things you can do for your eyes.
Start now to make BAC a part of your daily regimen.
References
More on BAC at http://awakeningthegeniuswithin.com/
https://nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/aging_eye
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698938/
https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/blue-light-nemesis-green-veggies-carotenoids
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-hea%20lthy/top-foods-to-help-protect-your-vision