The Advantages Of Antioxidant Supplements For Glutathione

With all the press that antioxidant supplements for glutathione are receiving these days it can be very difficult to sort out what is fact and what is fiction. Does your body really need to be supplemented with Glutathione, or is it just another clever attempt on the part of the wellness market to sell you supplements you don t really need and encourage you to open your bank accounts to them? Until you understand what Glutathione does and how it can benefit you, it can be impossible for you to determine whether or not Glutathione supplementation is the best course of action to keep your body healthy.

What is Glutathione?

The first question most people ask when they re discussing the benefits of antioxidant supplements for Glutathione is, what is glutathione? Glutathione has made a reputation for itself as the mother of all antioxidants, one of the primary considering factors when it comes to ensuring the wellness and strength of your immune system.

Glutathione, like most proteins, is made up of chains of amino acids that assist the cell in reproducing. The primary function of Glutathione is to help the lymphocytes, the cells responsible for fighting the body s foreign invaders through the annihilation of the foreign substance and the development of antibodies, repair and reproduce to strengthen the immune system and protect the body from infection and disease.

When the body is deficient the doctor usually recommends antioxidant supplements for glutathione. Why? Because when the body becomes deficient in this vital substance several things begin to happen:

1) The body is unable to reproduce cells efficiently and the immune system is dramatically weakened, leaving the body more vulnerable to attack from foreign substances such as viruses and bacterium and more likely to succumb to the abnormalities that lead to cancer and other chronic conditions.

2) The cells begin to age more quickly than they normally would without antioxidant supplements for glutathione, leaving them fragile to the effects of time and free radicals.

3) The body begins to find it more difficult to detoxify organs such as the liver and kidneys, which in turn leads to a build up of toxicity in the rest of the body (since these organs are the body s natural filters).

Physicians for years have been using Glutathione to treat conditions such as cancer and HIV/AIDS in the hope that its regenerative properties will be sufficient to help the body begin to heal itself and fight off the effects of the disease; however, it is only in recent years that their widespread ability to helphealthy patients improve their immune system has truly come to light. Many companies are now offering antioxidant supplements for Glutathione as a part of their regular supplement inventory, but be forewarned, glutathione supplements are not able to be absorbed by your body at a cellular level. What you need for glutathione supplementation is the right natural ingredients to enable your body to produce this master antioxidant at the cellular level.

Antioxidant supplements for Glutathione aren t about making you feel better when you have a disease. They exist to help your body prevent the disease in the first place and you know what they say. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Source: ZingArticles - Faye Brown

Glutathione For A Healthier Pregnancy

All parents-to-be nurture the dream of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

But the modern environment and diet is deficient in many factors essential for the health of mother and fetus. One of those factors is antioxidants.

The role of antioxidants like folic acid in preventing birth defects like spina bifida and cleft palate is well known. It is now included in all prenatal vitamin supplements.

But the role of antioxidants like glutathione and Vitamin E in pregnancy is often overlooked.

Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant. It helps to regenerate stores of other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E.

It also protects both mother and fetus from the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.

Many pregnancy complications and birth defects have been linked to oxidative stress, free radical damage and low glutathione levels in the mother and fetus.

Environmental and lifestyle factors are known to cause oxidative stress and lower glutathione levels - resulting in birth defects, abortion and miscarriages in pregnancy.

Some of the known teratogens (causing birth defects) in pregnancy include:

o Radiation
o Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
o Air pollution
o Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic)
o Vinyl chloride
o Acryonitrile
o Excess Oxygen (hyperoxia)
o Anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)
o Thalidomide
o Cigarette smoke
o Alcohol (ethanol) consumption

Maternal health factors that increase free radicals and cause birth defects include:

o Diabetes
o Pre-eclampsia
o Infection and Inflammation

Numerous studies have shown that glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and E are crucial in the development and growth of the fetus, maintenance of a healthy pregnancy - and, even before pregnancy, in fertility and conception.

Glutathione and other antioxidants attenuate oxidative stress in pregnant women with inflammation or maternal conditions like diabetes and pre-eclampsia, and in fetuses at risk for developing cystic fibrosis.

Supplementation with glutathione precursors and antioxidants can decrease the incidence of birth defects and protect both mothers and the fetus from the damaging and possibly fatal consequences of pregnancy complications.

Glutathione (GSH ) also prevents or minimizes the oxidative stress that occurs during labor and the birth process.

Perinatal or birth asphyxia/hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen supply to the brain) in preterm deliveries and labor can lead to cerebral palsy, respiratory distress syndrome, irreversible brain injury, and permanent neurological and intellectual handicaps.

Administration of the glutathione precursor, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), to the pregnant mother partially prevents oxidative stress during the birth process in premature infants.

Currently, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology advises all pregnant women to take a prenatal vitamin containing antioxidants.

In addition, they advise eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, the best sources of antioxidant protection.

Source: ArticleAlley by Priya Shah

Why Does Whey Protein Help You Lose Weight?

Whey protein is the preferred protein supplement for weight lifters, people wanting to lose fat, and people looking for a healthy drink. It is made from dehydrated whey, which comes from dairy milk, and marketed as a protein powder.

All serious bodybuilders take whey protein as a supplement after a draining workout. Why is it so popular?

To help understand the popularity of whey protein, you need to understand it's composition. Whey protein is made up of of several different types of proteins: Alpha-lactoglobulin, Beta-lactoglobulin, Bovine serum albumin (BSA), Immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and lactoferricin. It also is full of calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorous and several vitamins.

First of all, whey protein is an extremely balanced source of amino acids and protein peptides. This means its nutritious and helps your body create muscle. Secondly it has a high efficiently for absorption by your body. It is easier to turn into new muscle than egg, soy, or other meat proteins.

The antioxidant, glutathione, cannot be produced unless you have plenty of an amino acid called cysteine. Luckily, whey protein is full of this particular amino acid cysteine.

In order to make new muscle tissue as quickly as possible, your body needs the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, valine. Whey is full of the BCAAs, and especially with leucine it helps synthesize new muscle after a exhausting workout. This reason alone is enough to make whey protein an important post-workout supplement if you are really serious about gaining muscle.

The chemical glutamine is also found in whey protein. This molecule aids in muscle recovery and gets you back to the gym faster!

Compared against other proteins available, whey protein is the fastest to be absorbed by your body. In it's form of whey protein isolate it might be absorbed up to 3 times faster than other proteins like casein, cheese, meat, etc.

Another huge ancillary benefit of whey protein powder is that lactose, which is found in most whey protein mixtures, is used by your body too. Inside your intestines it becomes galacto-oligosaccharides - these chemicals are good for your intestinal bacteria. Without these bacteria your digestion would fail.

Source: EasyArticles

Turmeric Supplements Can Improve Memory With The Right Dosage And Compatible Ingredients

Taking turmeric for memory might be a good idea, but your best choice for supplementation is a well designed multi ingredient product that includes an enteric coating. Single ingredients supplements are, in many cases, a waste of money.

When it comes to the spice turmeric, the active component is curcumin. Researchers have measured blood levels of curcumin after volunteers consumed as much as 10 grams of the spice and found the level to be very low. This means that the compound has low “bio availability”.

There are many other nutrients that have low bioavailability because of the size of the molecules or because they are changed by digestive acids. One of them is glutathione, which must be reduced, in order to pass through the intestinal walls and enter the bloodstream. Others include SAM e, resveratrol and curcumin, which are changed by stomach acids into an unavailable form.

One of the “tricks” for increasing the bioavailability of curcumin, so that you can get the benefits of taking turmeric for memory, is to add piperine to the formula. Piperine has been shown to increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000 .

When you see single ingredient supplements on the market that contain 500 or 600mg and then you see another multi nutritional supplement that contains only 50mg, you may think that the higher dosage would be more beneficial. But this is not a case of more is better.

Large doses can cause indigestion and worsen gallbladder disease. High doses have been shown to cause liver problems in animals. We don’t know how this correlates to humans, as yet, but better safe than sorry.

When curcumin is protected as it passes through the stomach, it will not cause digestive problems. When it reaches the upper intestine and passes into the bloodstream, the liver is not involved. And, since piperine enhances the bioavailability of the nutrient by 2000 , a 50mg dose is plenty.

There are a couple of reasons to consider turmeric for memory. A 2004 study suggests that it inhibits the formation of plaques in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s. An observational study indicates that people who eat curry frequently have better mental clarity. In addition, the compound has a positive effect on the neurons in the brain.

All of those things are good, but one of the other causes of memory loss and decreased mental clarity low oxygen levels and poor circulation in the brain. Gingko biloba improves the oxygen content and the circulation. Green tea extracts have been shown to increase alertness, as well.

If you want the best results, you should be taking ginkgo biloba, green tea, SAM e and turmeric for memory. You would likely spend hundreds of dollars per month to take all of them. A better value for your money is a multi nutritional supplement that contains them all, along with essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

If you are not well nourished, you will be fatigued and “fuzzy headed”. Taking turmeric for memory does not contribute to your nutritional intake. Improving that intake may solve many of your health problems.

Source: ZingArticles - Valerie Rosenbaum

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The Delicious Path Of Antiaging Nutrition

Plant nutrients play a key role in anti aging. Fruit, vegetables, and plant extracts have an array of chemical constituents, called phytochemicals or phytonutrients, that are hugely beneficial to skin health and beauty.

In plants, phytochemicals confer characteristics like color, which can help the plant by providing an attractive beacon to passing bees to help in pollination. Or they offer a protective effect to the plant to prevent insects from harming it, or repel grazing animals. But they have often been found to have benefits for human health when analyzed in laboratories. It is these chemicals in plants that make fruit and vegetables so much more valuable than simply the macro nutrients like vitamin C.

Antioxidants are one class of phytonutrients, though there are many. Antioxidants work by supplying an extra oxygen molecule to those molecules that are missing one, called free radicals. If antioxidants don't supply the missing oxygen molecule to free radicals, the free radicals will take an oxygen molecule from another compound in the body, making one that was previously healthy and intact itself a free radical. Free radicals are not 'baddies', simply unstable chemical molecules, but the effect they have on the body is negative, as they can damage cells. Free radicals are produced as a normal by product of the metabolic processes of our cells, as well as by our immune system as it counteracts the effects of pathogens and the environment.

The trick is to keep the balance in the body where there is enough of a supply of antioxidants to cope with the body's production of free radicals.

Free radicals affect the skin in three main ways. They can alter the fatty layers in your cellular membranes. These fatty layers provide structure to the cell, and control which nutrients and other agents can pass in and out. They can alter the DNA within cells, which aside from the potential to develop into serious illnesses, can make your skin inclined to wrinkles and sagging before its natural biological time. Altered DNA creates a blueprint for collagen and elastin fibers that don't function as healthy, normal ones would. And to compound matters, the skin's pores need healthy collagen and elastin fibers to stay tight and small. So another undesired result is open, large pores.

Free radicals also lead to a process called the cross-linking of collagen fibers. This occurs in the skin's dermis, as a result of collagen and elastin fibers becoming hard, thick, and then binding together. Cross-linked fibers create wrinkles, skin sag, and cause your regular expression lines to become etched in your face as a permanent fixture. With healthy collagen and elastin fibers these expression lines would simply disappear once you moved your facial muscles in a different way. And enzymes that metabolize collagen are encouraged by free radicals, which, given the importance of collagen in youthful looking skin, is best minimized.

Other phytonutrients in plants that are of importance to skin beauty are carotenoids and flavanoids. Flavanoids are great for the health of blood vessels. They strengthen the capillaries that supply important nutrients to the skin's cells, as well as supporting cellular membranes. Healthy cell membranes regenerate quickly, and slow the aging process. Carotenoids also strengthen cell membranes. It seems carrots are not just good for eyesight! And flavanoids help reduce inflammation, as well as increasing levels of glutathione, which is an antioxidant.

Source: EasyArticle

Detoxification Hazards

Reducing toxin exposure decreases the body's overall burden of toxins both directly, by avoiding the addition of new toxins, and indirectly, by improving the body's ability to defend itself. Lifestyle, environment, and dietary factors are essential in creating the body's total toxic load. The use of alcohol, caffeine, and prescription drugs is a lifestyle factor that increases the toxic burden. Environmental factors include exposure to volatile organic compounds such as solvents and formaldehyde, which are found in products ranging from automotive fuel to household cleaners and building materials. Foods represent the most common source of exposure to toxins; approximately 3,000 chemicals are used by the food industry for various types of food processing. Another 12,000 chemicals are used in food packaging materials. Numerous studies have found pesticide residues in a significant percentage of food samples. Organically grown and unprocessed or minimally processed foods may be an option to reduce toxin exposure. Avoiding exposure may necessitate significant changes in lifestyle and the Enhancing gastrointestinal function improves digestion and, consequently, increases absorption of nutrients. Gastrointestinal function is inadequate if the proper digestive enzymes and pH are unbalanced. Enzymes such as lipase, amylase, pancreatin, pepsin, and protease may be inactive in those patients with gastric or pancreatic hypofunction. This will lead to malabsorption of nutrients, food intolerance, and food allergy. Foods that aren't completely digested can putrefy in the intestine, producing toxins. Using plant enzymes can assist in promoting digestion and absorption of nutrients in those individuals with imbalances of gastrointestinal pH.

Lifestyle factors also influence digestive function. Thorough chewing of food is imperative to adequate digestion because it provides mechanical breakdown of foods and the necessary surface area for enzymatic activity to take place. Normal digestive secretions and motility may be impaired by depression and anxiety. Raw foods promote digestion because of their naturally occurring enzymes.

Fiber is essential for the maintenance of normal gastrointestinal function. Soluble fiber is fermented by colonic microflora, resulting in the production of short chain fatty acids such as butyric acid, which is essential for normal colonic functioning. Dietary fiber helps to bind to toxins and aids with elimination through the bowel. Oral use of bentonite clay has also been shown to help bind toxins and prevent their systemic absorption.

The gastrointestinal tract is considered one of the largest immune systems of the body. Faulty bowel mucosa compromises not only digestive and absorptive functions, but also vital immune functions. Defects of permeability can be caused by intestinal parasites, dysbiosis, impaired digestion, pancreatic insufficiency, food allergies, and the use of alcohol or NSAIDS.

Normal bowel flora help to prevent the establishment of intestinal pathogens through competitive inhibition. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species contribute to a healthy intestinal environment by maintaining optimum pH and producing important nutrients and enzymes. Elimination of intestinal pathogens is necessary for a healthy intestinal tract because they are often responsible for production of toxins, thereby placing an additional burden on the system. Preparations 10 restore balance to the intestinal flora include formulas containing plant extracts from Artemisia annua, allicin, berberine, Hydrastis canadensis, and Allium sativa. Enemas or colonic irrigations may be advised to facilitate toxin removal.

Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, beta carotene, vitamin E, selenium, and N -acetylcysteine are substances essential to detoxification. Vitamin and mineral co-factors required for cytochrome P-450 reactions include riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, iron, and several trace minerals. Cruciferous vegetables and quercetin have also been shown to support Phase I detoxification. Phase II detoxification is promoted by usage of calcium d-glucarate, which is a natural ingredient in certain fruits and vegetables and results in increased elimination of toxins. Other helpful agents include amino acids such as glycine, cysteine, glutamine, methionine, taurine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. Dietary supplementation may help to replace depleted supplies of nutrients needed for detoxification.

Dietary support to encourage hepatic detoxification includes emphasis on freshly prepared natural, organic, unrefined, and unprocessed foods containing a minimum of additives and chemical residues. Fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and unrefined starches should constitute a significant portion of the diet. Red meats, animal fats, sugar and other simple and refined carbohydrates, salt, alcohol and caffeine should be consumed in moderation or, preferably, avoided. Elimination of allergenic foods can facilitate mucosal healing and decrease the body's total load of toxins.

The total body burden of toxins and resulting tissue damage tends to accumulate over time, leading to a cascade of illnesses. A comprehensive approach is needed to address reduction of toxin exposure, healing of the gastrointestinal tract, and support of the hepatic detoxification process.

Hazards

As the toxin load of the body decreases, there may be symptoms of headaches, fatigue, irritability, body aches, and strong cravings for foods removed from the diet.

Clinical considerations

Patients with serious medical concerns should consult with a medical practitioner before making any dietary, lifestyle, or prescription changes.

Caution patient that detoxification should be carried out only under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner.

Training Resources for special training, which is advisable to facilitate optimal outcome, can be found through HealthComm International, Inc., Clinical Research Center, P.O. Box 1729, 5800 Soundview Drive, Gig Harbor, Washington 98335; Attn: Jeffrey S. Bland, PhD; or through Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories, Ashville, NC

Research summary

Toxicity overload is becoming epidemic and is responsible for a host of chronic degenerative diseases. Reducing exposure to toxins, improving digestion, replacing intestinal pathogens with healthy bacteria, and support of detoxification with appropriate methods all contribute to lessening the toxic burden and promoting healing and optimal health.

Source: EasyArticles

Natural Vitamins And Herbs Can Help The Body Fight Jaundice

Jaundice is the result of a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. This buildup causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Bilrubin is a yellow-brown substance that results when old red blood cells break down. If this waste product is not removed from the bloodstream by the liver, as it should be, a backup of bilirubin in the blood occurs, which produces the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes that is associated with jaundice. Those with jaundice may have darker urine than normal, while the stools may appear lighter. Jaundice may be accompanied by fluid retention in the trunk of the body, fatigue, generalized itching, nausea, rashes on the skin, and vomiting.

Jaundice is not a disease in itself, but rather a sign of any one of several blood or liver disorders. Some conditions that can cause jaundice include cirrhosis of the liver, pernicious anemia, hepatitis, and hemolysis which is the abnormal destruction of red blood cells. Jaundice can also be a sign of an obstruction in the path of the bile flow. Bile flows from the liver through the bile ducts, to the gallbladder, and then to the intestinal tract.

If, for any reason, any part of the biliary tract is obstructed, the bile passes back into the bloodstream instead of into the digestive system. This flow of bile, which contains bilirubin, then produces jaundice. Sometimes, jaundice can be caused by some form of parasitic infestation like a tapeworm or hookworm. Jaundice can also be caused by a bite from a flea or mosquito that carries a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. It can also be caused by a tumor, a gallstone, or inflammation.

Some degree of jaundice is especially common in newborn babies, especially those that are premature. This condition is not considered to be serious in babies. Generally, this condition occurs because a new baby’s liver is limited in its ability to process bilirubin. In most cases, the condition will quickly resolve itself.

The following nutrients are considered to be very important in treating and preventing jaundice. Coenzyme Q10 should be taken as directed on the label to promote tissue oxygenation and remove toxic substances from the body. Colostrum should also be taken as directed on the label, as it improves immune function and protects the liver. Grape seed extract should be taken as directed on the label, as it acts as a powerful antioxidant and aids the liver in removing toxic substances from the body.

L-glutathione should be taken in dosages of 500 mg daily to protect the liver, while raw liver extract should be taken as directed on the label to assist in building the liver. SAMe aids in relief of stress and depression, eases pain, and produces antioxidant effects that can improve the health of the liver. It should be taken as directed on the label. Vitamin B complex is necessary for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and formation of red blood cells. It also helps to maintain the health of the eyes, liver, and skin.

Vitamin C should be taken in dosages of 3,000 to 6,000 mg daily, as it combines with toxic substances to render them harmless and remove them from the body. Additionally, burdock root, red clover, celandine, chaparral, dandelion, oregano, and Silymarin (milk thistle) are very beneficial herbs for helping with jaundice.

If you choose to take natural supplements for jaundice just remember that this is a sign of a more serious issue in the body that must be addressed. Always consult a physician before starting vitamin supplements. Natural vitamin supplements like the ones listed above are available at your local or internet health food store.

*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Natural vitamins not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.

Source: ArticleStreet

Green Tea Antioxidants In Anti Aging Supplements

The green tea antioxidant is believed to help prevent heart disease and various types of cancer, as well as providing numerous other health benefits. Some of which you are likely to notice immediately.

The green tea antioxidants are known as catechins and they are unique. Only the camellia sinensis plant and some cocoa plants contain them. You may have heard new claims that chocolates are good for your health. These claims do not apply to all types of chocolate. The cocoa plant that it is derived from must contain catechins and most of them do not.

Camellia sinensis is the plant that most green and black teas are derived from. But the black tea leaves are processed using heat and humidity. These processes apparently destroy the catechins, because they are not found in black teas.

Researchers began trying to identify the green tea antioxidant because of what is known as the Japanese Paradox. The paradox is a lower than expected incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancer among Japanese smokers that regularly consume the beverage.

When the green tea antioxidants were identified, they were hailed as the explanation to the paradox. Now, it appears that other factors must come into play. Research is still being conducted that may help clarify the whole thing.

In addition to green tea antioxidants, researchers have looked at a variety of different nutrients that are consumed by populations living in different areas of the world. Typically, it was something like the Japanese paradox that drew their interest. For example, there is a lower than expected incidence of heart disease in Southern France, despite a diet that is high in dietary fat. The explanation for that may be resveratrol, a compound found in red wine.

Like the green tea antioxidant, resveratrol prevents free radical damage, as do common vitamins like A, C and E. But the green tea antioxidants and those found in red wine have unusual activity that the common vitamins do not.

Resveratrol stops cancer cells at all stages of development. It prevents their formation, their growth and their progression. It stimulates a signal that causes the cancer cell to kill itself, while preventing healthy cells from dying. The green tea antioxidant has only been shown to slow tumor growth.

When it comes to heart disease prevention, cholesterol levels are of primary importance. It seems that some people experience high cholesterol levels regardless of what type of diet or level of physical activity they strive for. This is thought to be genetic by many in the mainstream medical community, but natural health advocates believe that it has to do with the other nutrients that a person consumes on a regular basis.

The green tea antioxidants have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, but other nutrients are also important to heart health, including arginine, glutathione and other amino acids. What I’m trying to say is that a supplement containing only the green tea antioxidant is not your best choice, if you want the best health that you can get. And, who doesn’t want that?

Source: ZingArticles | Dr Valerie Rosenbaum

Eye Supplement

Your eyes are precious gift and should last a lifetime. But unfortunately, many people take their sight for granted. The reality is that most people do not believe that they are at risk for developing eye problems. And ironically, the bulk of those appear to the 78,000,000 Baby Boomers who are actually in the highest risk category. And to make matters even worse, a great majority of “graying” America does not even get regular eye screenings even if they have a family history of eye disease. Most are also totally unaware of the factors that may increase their susceptibility for developing eye problems.

Today, virtually the entire medical community is in total agreement that everyone is at risk for eye health problems. So here are a few common-sense health rules to support healthy eyes.

1. Don’t smoke...and if you do, stop. Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress. And while the connection to age-related macular degeneration has not been clearly identified, it is known that smoking increases your risk.
2. Exercise...it improves circulation and helps keep eyes moist, clear and functional.
3. Have an eye examination every two years. Much like mammograms or stress tests, detecting eye problems at an early stage is crucial to preventing further damage.
4. Wear protective glasses while playing sports.
5. Take periodic breaks from the computer or from other close work to relax your eyes.


It's time the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation, who are now in their 50s and 60s, became more serious about eye health and age-related vision impairment problems because if left undiagnosed or untreated they could cause permanent dysfunction.

Obviously, age-related eye disease can seriously affect your quality of life and well-being. Vision impairment makes it more difficult for older adults to live independently and face the challenges of everyday living. Plus, failing vision increases the risk for accidents and falls. Impaired vision may also reduce a person’s capacity to develop and maintain relationships and to participate in various activities, which can then lead to depression and social isolation. But what you may not realize is that with diminished vision, you may also have cognitive impairment or problems with thinking, learning and memory, according to a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Nutrition plays a vital part in the health and care of our eyes. Certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs are generally known to support, protect and preserve healthy vision. Not only is a healthy diet important for immediate and long-term eye health, but several research groups are studying these nutrients to see how much of a role they have in reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E play a vital role in eye health along with other important nutrients.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is found abundantly in food sources that contain carotenoids, the red and yellow pigments in plants and animals which act as antioxidants. Certain carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin are found in large amounts in the lens and retina of our eyes.

Science Daily (December 6, 2004) reported a study from Ohio State University that provides evidence from laboratory experiments done on human lens cells showing that lutein and zeaxanthin, help to protect the cells from exposure to ultraviolet light, a leading cause of cataract formation.

Vitamin A is currently being studied for its role in assisting the body in reducing the risk of night blindness and the risk of blindness from macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Sources of Vitamin A include liver, butter, squash, peaches, apricots, broccoli, spinach, yellow peppers, bilberries, the yellow of eggs and of course, carrots.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that assists the body in reducing the level of protein buildup in the eyes which may lead to blurring of vision. Without adequate supply of Vitamin C, studies show that eye vision may begin to deteriorate. It is interesting to note that the concentration of vitamin C in the vitreous humor (the clear liquid in the eyeball) is about twenty-five times more than the concentration of Vitamin C in our blood. It is 100 times more in the retina.

Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, tropical fruits, are good sources of Vitamin C.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant working to counter the effects of oxidation on the tissues and structure of the eyes. Much research is underway to see whether Vitamin E may nutritionally support ocular health by helping to reduce or retard the risk-potential of cataracts and macular degeneration (AMD).

Sunflower seeds and nuts are good sources of vitamin E.

B-Complex Vitamins
B-Complex Vitamins are associated with eye health. Studies have theorized that a deficiency of B-complex may result in light sensitivity, paralyzed eye muscles, itching, burning, blood shot, and watering eyes.

* Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) is important for eye metabolism.
* Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) affects the mucous membranes and helps keep the tissues in the eyes and nose moist. It also maintains the supply of glutathione, a major antioxidant in the lens of the eye.
* Vitamin B3 (Niacin) helps to increase the flow of blood to the optic nerve.
* Vitamins B5 (Pantothenic acid) is particularly important for eye stress. A deficiency may result in nerve and optic degeneration.
* Vitamin B7 (Biotin) is an energy metabolizer and a synthesizer of niacin.
* Vitamin B12 affects the optic nerve tissue by helping to strengthen it.
* Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) is known to improve general visual problems.



Minerals
Minerals such as Selenium, helps your body to absorb vitamin E and also helps it to make its own antioxidants. Zinc helps in the absorption of vitamin A in the body. It is also part of an enzyme that reduces the number of free radicals.

Other Nutrients for Eye Health

* Alpha Lipoic Acid provides powerful antioxidant protection.
* N-Acetyl Cysteine helps prevent dry eyes by keeping the moisture level in the eyes in balance.
* Choline is important in the management of glaucoma.
* Bilberry helps improve the flow of blood through the capillaries in eyes. It is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
* Grapeseed improves the peripheral circulation of the eyes, and also strengthens the capillaries.
* Eyebright is an herb which helps to soothe distressed eyes.
* Ginko biloba helps reduce puffiness of eyes and dark circles.
* Bayberry root powder has astringent and antibacterial properties.


Fresh sources of these nutrients are the best support for eye health. But if this is not always possible, consult with your health provider about the benefits of supplementation. There is accumulating scientific and clinical evidence which supports the fact that the potent and protective blend of special nutrients may significantly help fortify the eyes and help support healthy ocular tissue, retinal function and good vision into old age.

Source: EasyArticles