Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Mon, 7 Jun 2004 16:43:26 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Seeing the Light Seeing the Light Health Sciences Institute e-Alert June 7, 2004 ************************************************************ Dear Reader, Loss of vision is one of the most troublesome side effects of diabetes - both types 1 and 2. And the risk is enormous: According to the National Eye Institute, more than 40 percent of all diabetics have some stage of diabetic retinopathy - a condition that blocks the capillaries that provide blood to the retina. The best defense against diabetic retinopathy is early detection. In addition, a new study shows that two vitamin supplements may considerably reduce the risk of this disorder. ----------------------------- Drawing blood ----------------------------- There are no early warning signs for diabetic retinopathy - when the first symptoms are detected, the condition is usually well underway. So in a sense, anyone who is diagnosed with diabetes should consider the diagnosis itself to be an early warning. Retinopathy begins when elevated levels of insulin and glucose are persistent enough to prompt swelling in the blood vessels of the retina - the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. If swelling persists, blood vessels can become blocked, cutting off the blood supply. That alone is enough to blur vision, but at this stage the condition may go from bad to worse as the retina tries to correct the problem by developing new blood vessels, which are so thin and fragile that they may leak blood. If this progression isn't curbed, obstructed vision can evolve into blindness. ----------------------------- Key vitamins to the rescue ----------------------------- A study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examines the effects of dietary and supplemental sources of vitamins C and E on diabetic retinopathy. Researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin (UW), reviewed dietary records of more than 1,300 subjects who participated in a large, multiyear study to assess atherosclerosis risk. All of the subjects were type 2 diabetics, and 224 were diagnosed with prevalent retinopathy. An analysis of food- frequency and supplement questionnaires showed no association between intake of vitamin C or E from food sources and a reduced risk of retinopathy. But those who reported taking supplements of vitamins C or E for three years or more were found to be significantly less likely to develop retinopathy compared to subjects who didn't use supplements. Researchers couldn't explain why food sources of the vitamins weren't as effective as supplements. Nevertheless, this study confirms previous animal trials that have shown positive associations between vitamin C and E intake and retinopathy prevention. Beyond supplementing with vitamins C and E, dietary measures can be taken to help prevent retinopathy. Studies have shown that a deficiency of vitamin B-6 contributes to the condition. Fortunately, B-6 is found in a wide variety of foods including beef, poultry, fish, beans, bananas, spinach, avocados, walnuts and sunflower seeds. ----------------------------- Going digital ----------------------------- The most effective prevention of retinopathy is the control of glucose and insulin levels. Beyond that, a yearly, dilated eye exam is essential. Pregnancy can also raise retinopathy risk, so some doctors recommend several eye exams throughout pregnancy for diabetic women. In addition to the standard dilated eye exam, a new technology has been developed that requires no dilation. Using a retinal imaging camera, technicians can quickly capture a digital image of the retina, which is then sent over the Internet to retinal specialists for analysis. Last year, the University of Maryland began an experimental program (funded by a grant from the National Eye Institute) that placed one of these retinal cameras in a Baltimore mall. Two additional cameras were also placed in outlying communities in eastern and western Maryland. I'll keep tabs on this program and let you know how it progresses. If it's successful, retinal exams may become as easy as stopping by the Gap to pick up a new pocket-T. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing Five plus two... That's seven, which might be the optimal number of " must- have " daily supplements. In the e-Alert " Choosing Wilson " (5/26/04), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., gave us a list of the five dietary supplements he wouldn't want to do without if he were stranded on a desert island. The day after I sent you that e-Alert, I received an e-mail from the well-known osteopathic physician Joseph Mercola with his suggestion for two more supplements he feels must be added to the list. Dr. Mercola writes: " First and foremost he made no mention of the most common vitamin deficiency in the US - vitamin D. That does not mean one should take a vitamin D supplement necessarily, but certainly should seek to strive for sufficient daily sun exposure. The D in a daily is absolutely insufficient as that was based on old studies that used RDA to prevent rickets; it is absolutely inadequate to prevent cancer, heart and autoimmune diseases. " Also I firmly believe that omega-3 fats are the only supplement that is nearly universally needed. Makes no sense to take antioxidants if the foundational building blocks for life, omega 3 fats, are not present. " The omega 3:6 ratio and insulin levels are two of the most important physical variables dictating health. " Perhaps you could forward this to Dr. Spreen as I think your readers really would benefit from that information. " When I read Dr. Mercola's e-mail my first thought was that a supplement of vitamin D wouldn't be necessary on a tropical island (plenty of sunlight), and with an abundance of seafood all around, omega-3 intake wouldn't be a problem. I suggested this to Dr. Spreen when I showed him Dr. Mercola's e-mail, and this was his response: " I love having the 'out' that the tropical island is the place to get the vitamin D. If I'd been on the ball enough to have thought of it I'd have used it, as it certainly is the truth. Most forms of D are FAR inferior to solar 'intake' (if it's done properly). My real excuse is far older: I've been doing this for 30 years and only relatively recently has it become evident that the amount of vitamin D in a really 'good' multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is inadequate for optimal health. " I also agree that EPA/DHA is very, VERY important, but it is not 'a' nutrient, but several... it's a true food, as opposed to a single supplement, so I didn't select it. For the record, of course, I take way more than 5 supplements, and D and EFA (essential fatty acids) are included in the normal list (I experiment with variations at times). " Dr. Spreen also noted that when taking high doses of essential fatty acids, both he and Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., recommend that extra vitamin E be taken " to insure against the free radical formation that occurs with the use of unsaturated fats (even essential ones). " So if you add vitamin E to the list, along with the two from Dr. Mercola, our original five items has now grown to eight. Still, that's a pretty manageable number of daily supplements to use as a reliable " insurance policy " for good health. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopya.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** Sources: " Relation Between Intake of Vitamins C and E and Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study " American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 5, Mary 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " Vitamin Supplements Lower Diabetic Retinopathy Risk " D. Dye, Life Extension Foundation, 5/17/04, lef.org " Diabetic Retinopathy " National Eye Institute, nei.nih.gov " Telemedicine Program Allows Ophthalmologists to 'See' People at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma " University of Maryland Medicine, 7/31/03, umm.edu ************************************************************ Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************ If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************ Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Messenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 I recently spoke to a young woman I know who has taken prozac since high school. I had copied a few articles from the group about the problems with prozac and slipped them in with some personal items she was picking up. She mentioned to me that she has now stopped taking the prozac altogether. I cannot express enough thanks for those who share this vital information. I hope everyone is saving and sharing as many of these articles as possible either by photocopying them or saving them to diskette to give to a friend, neighbor, senior, scientists, doctors--all of the people who probably are in the dark. Mail - You care about security. So do we. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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