Archived Nutrition Articles
An Apple A Day Isn’t Enough
The old adage about apples isn’t true anymore. We now need more nutrition than ever to keep the doctor away. The rates of many diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetes, obesity, and cancer are unfortunately on the rise. It is obvious to point to poor nutrition as a major reason for the problem. Poor nutrition arises from us being victims of convenience in many circumstances. For instance, fast food is inexpensive and readily available to us. Animals are being given growth hormones so that they develop faster for our consumption. Farmers are not rotating their crops properly and are harvesting earlier in order to bring foods to market sooner. And dare I mention the ‘p’ word – pesticides are simply being over used. We are turning to processed foods that require the microwave as opposed to preparing meals through the conventional oven. As you can see there are lots of examples of our society being in a rush. Maybe we are all in a rush to become ill. This is true because life expectancy is decreasing in many parts of our country. Good nutrition is no longer a concern to the majority of us. So are we going to make a change or give into the belief that maybe someday a clever scientist is going to create a magic pill that will save you from poor health. Large insurance and drug companies are cashing in on that belief and the outlook is not improving as many people even now can’t afford insurance premiums or the costs of medications. At this moment, the only pills consistently able to cure disease are the antimicrobials. Unfortunately, resistance has resulted from antimicrobial overuse and it’s not uncommon for patients to develop infections during their hospital stays. But history has shown foods and not manmade drugs coming to the rescue such as when limes were fed to 18th century sailors to treat their scurvy. So really what can be done now? A good place to start is become educated about good nutrition. Go to health fairs, go to libraries, go to nutrition classes, go to the internet, ask a health enthusiast, etc. Next, purchase more organic fruits and foods that you actually have to prepare. This sends a message to the grocery stores and farmers that you are looking for better nutrition because you desire to be healthy. Break the habit of going towards fast food everyday. Basically make a change and set an example for generations to come. There are many solutions out their now. For those motivated to learn more, there are free seminars listed on my webpage (www.robinsoneyecenter.com). By attending you will be able to learn and share ways of gaining good nutrition in a convenient manner. What we do today influences our health tomorrow.
Soybean Therapy For The Eyes
A big factor in maintaining good health involves what we consume in our diets. This is especially true for people who have diabetes. As we know, in this condition the sugar levels in the blood can become too high triggering a cascade of reactions that result in the build up of oxidant free radicals in the body. The oxidant free radicals not only can age the cells of the entire body, but they can also do considerable damage to the delicate retinal blood vessels causing bleeding in the back of the eye. This bleeding is referred to as diabetic retinopathy and is a potential blinding condition. Studies are showing that a component of soybean called genistein is a potent scavenger of the fore mentioned oxidant free radicals. Because of this property, it is believed that genistein can help slow down progression of diabetic retinopathy especially during its early onset. In addition to consuming soybeans and related products regularly in the diet, one can also obtain genistein through a supplement now available in the eye care section of most drug stores. This supplement is made by Bausch and Lomb and is called Ocuvite DF. For more information on good nutrition for the eyes, it is best to consult with your local ophthalmologist.
Sardine Milkshakes
I don’t design the studies. I merely report about them. I know, we love the stories about how wine and dark chocolate have heart benefits. But when it comes to the eyes, I unfortunately have to promote consumption of food items like cod liver oil. I bet you’re saying to yourself ‘Yum’ right now. Not quite, hum. Well as it turns out, foods which are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin D have been shown to reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration. In essence we are what we eat. Good health comes down to what we consume. And if we want to hold off a potentially blinding condition and live long then we have to be careful with our diets. So this means we have to occasionally squeeze our noses and pour down the hatchet a refreshing sardine milk shake. I guess the saving grace is salmon, tuna, and shrimp aren’t half bad if seasoned nicely. Bon Apetite. Foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: salmon, sardines, shrimp, scallops, tofu, soybeans, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, cod liver oil. Foods rich in Vitamin D: milk, salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, and tuna. To find out more about macular degeneration or dietary supplements beneficial for the eyes please seek out your ophthalmologist.
Resolution To Lose Weight May Help You See
When the clock strikes midnight and the New Year begins, reflections of the previous year will flash right before us. We’ll think of all of the good times as well as the times we veered off course. Right about this time comes the motivation of the vision that this upcoming year is going to be different. Change will be accomplished by following through on our new commitments. High on all lists of resolutions next to loving our families and spouses even more, should be resolving to lose weight. It is well known that being overweight can lead to heart disease. In particular those people who have an ‘apple’ figure of girth versus being ‘pear shaped’ are most vulnerable to developing health problems. New evidence actually shows that the ‘apple shaped’ body girth can lead to the progression of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a sight threatening disease that affects many of us as we get older. Therefore, losing weight now by exercising and eating the right foods can not only help our hearts, but also our eyes. So literally and figurately, open up the New Year by making the ‘apple drop.’
Too Many Cookies
There is sometimes a fine line between moderation and excess. That line seems to be always challenged around the holidays. Enticements include wonderfully decorated sweets like cookies, cupcakes, puddings, and chocolates. They always seem to come in droves as family and friends drop them off for the merriment of the times. Unknowingly we may easily over do it by consuming too much. For people who have diabetes, this may sometimes prove to be detrimental as the inability to maintain a good blood sugar level control may often lead to complications especially within the eyes. When blood sugar levels reach high levels in the body even for a short period of time, alterations can occur in the blood vessels that feed the important eye tissue for seeing called the retina. As a result of these changes, bleeding and swelling can occur within the retina and this may ultimately lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed in time. One of the best resolutions for all persons with diabetes or a family history of diabetes is to have an annual eye examination by an ophthalmologist. This is especially true if the blood sugar levels are known to be running high or if the vision seems to be blurry as early detection and management is the key to preserving sight.
