Tag: Cataract

Cholesterol Medication May Decrease the Risk of Cataracts

Post author By Mukul
Post date February 14, 2010
No Comments on Cholesterol Medication May Decrease the Risk of Cataracts

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In addition to taking nutritional supplements such as vitamin E to improve eye health, a new study is suggesting that cholesterol medicine may in fact prevent cataracts, a condition that involves the clouding of the lens and generally affects individuals 55 and older.
…YOU MAY CLICK TO SEE THE PICTURES:

Cholesterol Spacefill

Cholesterolbiosynthesis

StatinPathway

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According to research published in the Annals of Epidemiology, men who took medicine to lower their cholesterol had a 40 percent lower risk of developing the eye disease.

After observing 180,000 patients between 1998 and 2007, it was discovered that men who took statins, a common drug found in cholesterol-lowering medication, were less likely to develop the age-related eye disease. Similarly, women were 18 percent less likely to suffer from cataracts as well.

“We believe that the regular use of statins for men and women under the age of 75 can significantly protect them against cataracts,” said study author Dr. Gabriel Chodick.

Cataracts currently affects 60 percent of adults over the age of 60. There are currently 1.5 million surgeries performed each year to fix the vision disease.

Source: Better Health Research .Feb.11 , 2010

Tags Cataract, Cholesterol, Conditions and Diseases, Dietary supplement, Health, Pharmaceutical drug, Research, Statin

Animal Hide, Shell & Others

Marguerite Concha

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Latin Plant Name: Margaritaferae, Concha

Pinyin Mandarin Name : Zhen Zhu Mu

Common English Name: Mother-of-Pearl

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Part of Plant Used: Whole shell………

Nature: Cold

Taste: Sweet, salty

Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart

Common Medicinal Usages:
This herb is used in formulas to treat dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, acid stomach, cataracts, insomnia, seizures, or night blindness.

Traditional Usages and Functions: Pacifies Liver, brightens eyes, and calms Spirit.

Common Formulas Used In: Concha Marguerita and Ligustrum.

Processing Required

Cautions in Use: Use cautiously where there is a sensation of coldness in the abdomen.

Sources:http://www.acupuncture-and-chinese-medicine.com/marguerite-concha.html

Tags Alternative, Cataract, Dizziness, English language, Health, Nature, Privet, United States

Animal Hide, Shell & Others

Haliotidis (Abalone Shell)

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Latin Plant Name: Concha Haliotidis
Pinyin Mandarin Name: Shi Jue Ming

Common English Name: Abalone Shell

Chinese Name:Shi jue ming

Part of Plant Used: Whole shell

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
Properties: Salty in flavour, cold in nature, it acts on liver channel. It is effective for nourishing Yin and checking exuberance of yang, clearing away the from the liver to improve vision, relieving dizziness due to liver-yang and conjunctival congestion due to liver-heat.
Origin: It is the shell of Halio tis diversicolor Reeve, H. gigantea discus Reeve and H.ovina Chemnitz, family Halio tidae.

Property, taste and attributive meridian.
Salty in taste, cold in property. Enters the liver meridian.
Effects: Calming the liver-yang and checking exuberance of Yang, clearing away heat from the liver to improve vision.

General Usage: To be decocted before adding other ingredients.
Meridians Entered: Liver, Kidneys

Common Medicinal Usages:
Action: To subdue hyperactivity of the liver, quench its fire and improve eyesight.

Indications: Headache and dizziness; blurred vision due to nebula, optic atrophy and night blindness.

This herb is used in formulas to treat high blood pressure, eye redness with light sensitivity, blurred vision, glaucoma, cataracts, headaches behind eyes, and spasms (TCM: Liver imbalances with heat symptoms).

Traditional Usages and Functions:
Quells fire and causes Yang to descend; brightens eyes and causes superficial visual obstructions to recede.

Common Formulas Used In : Rehmannia and Dogwood Fruit.
Processing : Required

Cautions in Use; Do not use during pregnancy. Not useful in most cases where there are no heat symptoms.

Click to see ->:Concha Haliotidis (Shi Jue Ming) – Improves Eyesight

Resources:
http://www.acupuncture-and-chinese-medicine.com/haliotidis.html
http://www.fzrm.com/plantextracts/sea-ear_shell_extract.htm
http://www.tcmtreatment.com/herbs/0-shijueming.htm

http://www.enwei.com.cn/b2b_en/page.asp?title=shijueming

Tags Blurred vision, Cataract, Conditions and Diseases, Glaucoma, Health, Liver, Traditional Chinese medicine, Visual perception

Ailmemts & Remedies

Cataracts

Although half the people over age 50 and three-quarters of those over age 75 develop cataracts, the condition isn’t an inevitable part of aging. Recent studies show that certain lifestyle strategies can lessen your chance of developing this serious but treatable vision disorder….

Symptoms
Gradual and painless blurring or dimming of vision.
Increased sensitivity to sun glare or car headlights at night
Seeing halos around lights
Changes in color perception………..CLICK & SEE

When to Call Your Doctor
If you begin to develop cataract symptoms.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

What It Is
The eye‘s lens is normally transparent; it refracts and focuses light on the retina, which allows a clear image to form. When the proteins in the lens break down, they clump together and form opaque spots called cataracts. These spots hinder light from being transmitted properly to the retina, and vision becomes cloudy or blurry. The degree of impaired vision depends on the cataract’s size, density, and location on the lens.

What Causes It
Cataracts may develop as a result of age-related body changes; but some experts now think that the majority of cases can be attributed to smoking or to lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. A low level of antioxidants (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium) may also be a factor. These compounds can squelch free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules — that can damage the lens. (Normally, the lens has a high concentration of glutathione, an antioxidant produced by the body.) In addition, having diabetes or being overweight increases the risk of cataracts, probably because high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood contribute to the destruction of lens proteins. Injury to the eye can cause cataracts too.

How Supplements Can Help
Taking supplements before a cataract appears may postpone its development or prevent it altogether. In the early stages of a cataract, supplements may slow its growth. Only surgery will remove a cataract, however.

What Else You Can Do

Quit smoking.
Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; they’re good sources of antioxidants.

Supplement Recommendations

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Bilberry
Ginkgo Biloba
Alpha-lipoic Acid
Grape Seed Extract
Flaxseed Oil

Vitamin C
Dosage: 1,000 mg twice a day.
Comments: Reduce dose if diarrhea develops.

Vitamin E
Dosage: 400 IU a day.
Comments: Check with your doctor if taking anticoagulant drugs.

Selenium
Dosage: 400 mcg a day.
Comments: Don’t exceed 600 mcg daily; higher doses may be toxic.

Bilberry
Dosage: 80 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides. May be included in nutritional supplement eye formulas.

Ginkgo Biloba
Dosage: 40 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Standardized to have at least 24% flavone glycosides.

Alpha-lipoic Acid
Dosage: 150 mg a day.
Comments: Take in the morning with or without food.

Grape Seed Extract
Dosage: 100 mg twice a day.
Comments: Standardized to contain 92%-95% proanthocyanidins.

Flaxseed Oil
Dosage: 1 tbsp. (14 grams) a day.
Comments: Can be mixed with food; take in the morning.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs (Reader’s Digest)