Nutrition and Vitamins for Your Eyes - MY STORY
All About Vision website
Here is an excellent web site that gives excellent information about eye health and nutrition. Please see bottom of this blog for additional information from the All About Vision web site.
MY STORY
I have been wearing glasses for distance since I was in the third grade. As is normal for most people, I would need to get a new prescription every 2 or 3 years, because the old glasses would eventually not work any longer.
Here is the amazing part of this story.... It has been 9 years since my last exam and the glasses which were prescribed to me at that time still work perfect. Actually the only reason I went to have my exam this time is because they would no longer allow me to order new contacts with the old prescription.
Even more amazing!!!! The last time I went for my exam (same doctor as this time), he was quite concerned because he said I was showing some signs of macular degeneration at the age of 30. This threw up a red flag because this type of eye problems is not something which normally shows up in people this young. Since it had been over 9 years since my last visit, my doctor no longer had my past records in his office, and of course, he didn't remember discussing my macular degeneration problem, even though it was fresh in mind. I was very curious to see if it had gotten any worse. Miraculously... when he checked me this time he said there is no sign of this at all and he even took a picture of it so I could see for myself. He actually doubted me when I even told him what he said at my last visit.
What did I do different? After my exam 9 or so years ago, I began to pay attention to what I was putting into my body (both nutritionally with foods and with vitamins and herbs). This coincided with the beginning of my Nature's Sunshine membership which I began December 1995 and was the start of an eye opening experience (no pun intended) regarding my health in general. Genetically, my Grandmother and Great Aunt on my fathers side both lost their sight to Glucoma, and my Father has already lost one eye to Macular Degeneration. In attempt to save my Dad's "good" eye and to reverse what damage had already begun in my eyes, we began a rigorous regimen in both diet and supplementing.
Some steps I took ~ These are some of the Nature's Sunshine vitamins and herbs which I have focused on over the past 10 years. NSP is a Reputable company which formulates Excellent quality herbs and vitamins. I can only attest for the results I had with these products and not with other brands.
Omega Essential Fatty Acids
FLAX SEED OIL LIQUID (8 FL OZ) I like to mix this with cottage cheese. I have studied where this is also a help when trying to prevent cancers so I felt this would be a great addition to my daily diet and would help me to increase my intake of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). It is also available in gel capsules for those who prefer (however the concentration of EFA's is lower). You always want to take your EFA's separate from your fiber supplements so it won't be absorbed by the fiber and taken out of your body before being absorbed.
SUPER OMEGA 3 EPA SOFTGEL CAPSULES (60) a source of two fatty acids, EPA and DHA
DHA SOFTGEL CAPSULES (60) supports and protects retinal cells.
Herbal combination
EYEBRIGHT (100)
PERFECT EYES (60) Specifically for the eyes, this product was developed to help the eyes receive the nutrition they need. Includes eyebright, lutein, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), bilberry fruit, curcuminoids powder extract, eyebright herb, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, zinc gluconate, selenium, taurine, quercetin and hesperidin.
Chewable Vitamins
CHEWABLE VITAMIN C and ZINC LOZENGES (96) - Since I have children who I am also concerned about the genetic genes affecting - we all take these easily absorbable forms of Vitamin C & Zinc.
Minerals
Over the years I have switched back and forth between different NSP mineral products. All are very good and which one I choose on any given day depends greatly on what my day is looking like and how I am feeling.
TRACE MINERAL MAINTENANCE (450) (tablet form)
MINERAL-CHI TONIC (32 FL OZ), CHINESE (liquid, which I use in Smoothies on days I am a bit more stressed out and needing a little more adrenal support)
COLLOIDAL MINERALS (32 FL OZ) (liquid, which I also use in my smoothies)
Multi Vitamins
Nature's Sunshine carries a variety of Vitamin and mineral products to help each individual choose depending on which body systems are needing support and balancing. I personally used (Nutri-calm, Nature's Prenatal, Master Gland, Skeletal Strength and the Children's Chewables) different ones over the years depending on what was going on in my body at the time.
MULTIPLE VITAMINS & MINERALS, SYNERPRO (60)
MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERALS TIME RELEASE (60)
NUTRI-CALM (100)
MASTER GLAND (120)
MEGA-CHEL (180)
SKELETAL STRENGTH (150)
SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN & MINERAL (120)
SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL WITHOUT IRON (120)
TARGET ENDURANCE (90)
CELLULAR ENERGY (60)
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE (180)
NATURES PRENATAL VITAMIN (180)
NATURAL CHANGES (42 PACKETS)
HERBASAURS MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERAL-CHEWABLE (90)
HERBASAURS LIQUID MULTIPLE VITAMIN WITH IRON (4 FL OZ)
LIQUID VITAWAVE (32 OZ)
Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Antioxidants for Sight
A&D, VITAMIN 10,000/400IU SOFTGEL CAPSULES
LUTEIN (10 MG) (60)
CAROTENOID BLEND (60)
THAI-GO DRINK (2/25OZ)
If you choose a brand other than NSP, please make sure it is a reputable company that offers pure quality products.... for example it is my guess that products sold in Walmart won't cut it. Many vitamins companies don't have the quality herbs and vitamins, the manufacturing equipment, the processing and testing facilities that warrant quality products. NSP quality assurance begins with the raw product and it stays in NSP hands right down to the distributor that sells it to you... no third, fourth, fifth parties etc. are involved at all. It begins with NSP and ends with NSP. How many companies can you say that about?
More information from the All About Vision Web site
EFAs: Fat You Can Use
You're getting too much fat in your diet ... and not enough: the average American consumes way too much omega-6 fatty acid and not nearly enough omega-3. These fatty acids affect the eyes in a wide variety of ways. Find out how, and learn which foods to avoid and which to add into your diet.
Nutrition and Your Eyes: In a Nutshell
(See this link for food sources of important vitamins).
Whether you've read all the articles in this section and want a condensed recap, or you just want to cut to the chase about what foods you should be eating to protect your eyes, this summary is the place to go!
Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Antioxidants for Sight
Is carotenoid a fancy word for carrot? Not quite, but they are related. Carotenoids give carrots their orange color. You can find them in many red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as in green, leafy vegetables (which are a great source of the carotenoid lutein). Find out how they're linked to blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids:
The Batman and Robin of Eye Health
Ever-popular vitamin C may reduce your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. Bioflavonoids help your body to absorb vitamin C and sometimes work as antioxidants themselves. Learn which common fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
Vitamin E and Minerals: Nutrition from Nuts
Like vitamins A and C, vitamin E may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. The minerals selenium and zinc help your body to absorb antioxidant vitamins and may have their own protective effects as well.
If you choose a brand other than NSP, please make sure it is a reputable company that offers pure quality products.... for example it is my guess that products sold in Walmart won't cut it. Many vitamins companies don't have the quality herbs and vitamins, the manufacturing equipment, the processing and testing facilities that warrant quality products. NSP quality assurance begins with the raw product and it stays in NSP hands right down to the distributor that sells it to you... no third, fourth, fifth parties etc. are involved at all. It begins with NSP and ends with NSP. How many companies can you say that about?
Here is an excellent web site that gives excellent information about eye health and nutrition. Please see bottom of this blog for additional information from the All About Vision web site.
MY STORY
I have been wearing glasses for distance since I was in the third grade. As is normal for most people, I would need to get a new prescription every 2 or 3 years, because the old glasses would eventually not work any longer.
Here is the amazing part of this story.... It has been 9 years since my last exam and the glasses which were prescribed to me at that time still work perfect. Actually the only reason I went to have my exam this time is because they would no longer allow me to order new contacts with the old prescription.
Even more amazing!!!! The last time I went for my exam (same doctor as this time), he was quite concerned because he said I was showing some signs of macular degeneration at the age of 30. This threw up a red flag because this type of eye problems is not something which normally shows up in people this young. Since it had been over 9 years since my last visit, my doctor no longer had my past records in his office, and of course, he didn't remember discussing my macular degeneration problem, even though it was fresh in mind. I was very curious to see if it had gotten any worse. Miraculously... when he checked me this time he said there is no sign of this at all and he even took a picture of it so I could see for myself. He actually doubted me when I even told him what he said at my last visit.
What did I do different? After my exam 9 or so years ago, I began to pay attention to what I was putting into my body (both nutritionally with foods and with vitamins and herbs). This coincided with the beginning of my Nature's Sunshine membership which I began December 1995 and was the start of an eye opening experience (no pun intended) regarding my health in general. Genetically, my Grandmother and Great Aunt on my fathers side both lost their sight to Glucoma, and my Father has already lost one eye to Macular Degeneration. In attempt to save my Dad's "good" eye and to reverse what damage had already begun in my eyes, we began a rigorous regimen in both diet and supplementing.
Some steps I took ~ These are some of the Nature's Sunshine vitamins and herbs which I have focused on over the past 10 years. NSP is a Reputable company which formulates Excellent quality herbs and vitamins. I can only attest for the results I had with these products and not with other brands.
Omega Essential Fatty Acids
FLAX SEED OIL LIQUID (8 FL OZ) I like to mix this with cottage cheese. I have studied where this is also a help when trying to prevent cancers so I felt this would be a great addition to my daily diet and would help me to increase my intake of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). It is also available in gel capsules for those who prefer (however the concentration of EFA's is lower). You always want to take your EFA's separate from your fiber supplements so it won't be absorbed by the fiber and taken out of your body before being absorbed.
SUPER OMEGA 3 EPA SOFTGEL CAPSULES (60) a source of two fatty acids, EPA and DHA
DHA SOFTGEL CAPSULES (60) supports and protects retinal cells.
Herbal combination
EYEBRIGHT (100)
PERFECT EYES (60) Specifically for the eyes, this product was developed to help the eyes receive the nutrition they need. Includes eyebright, lutein, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), bilberry fruit, curcuminoids powder extract, eyebright herb, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, zinc gluconate, selenium, taurine, quercetin and hesperidin.
Chewable Vitamins
CHEWABLE VITAMIN C and ZINC LOZENGES (96) - Since I have children who I am also concerned about the genetic genes affecting - we all take these easily absorbable forms of Vitamin C & Zinc.
Minerals
Over the years I have switched back and forth between different NSP mineral products. All are very good and which one I choose on any given day depends greatly on what my day is looking like and how I am feeling.
TRACE MINERAL MAINTENANCE (450) (tablet form)
MINERAL-CHI TONIC (32 FL OZ), CHINESE (liquid, which I use in Smoothies on days I am a bit more stressed out and needing a little more adrenal support)
COLLOIDAL MINERALS (32 FL OZ) (liquid, which I also use in my smoothies)
Multi Vitamins
Nature's Sunshine carries a variety of Vitamin and mineral products to help each individual choose depending on which body systems are needing support and balancing. I personally used (Nutri-calm, Nature's Prenatal, Master Gland, Skeletal Strength and the Children's Chewables) different ones over the years depending on what was going on in my body at the time.
MULTIPLE VITAMINS & MINERALS, SYNERPRO (60)
MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERALS TIME RELEASE (60)
NUTRI-CALM (100)
MASTER GLAND (120)
MEGA-CHEL (180)
SKELETAL STRENGTH (150)
SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN & MINERAL (120)
SUPER SUPPLEMENTAL WITHOUT IRON (120)
TARGET ENDURANCE (90)
CELLULAR ENERGY (60)
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE (180)
NATURES PRENATAL VITAMIN (180)
NATURAL CHANGES (42 PACKETS)
HERBASAURS MULTIPLE VITAMIN & MINERAL-CHEWABLE (90)
HERBASAURS LIQUID MULTIPLE VITAMIN WITH IRON (4 FL OZ)
LIQUID VITAWAVE (32 OZ)
Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Antioxidants for Sight
A&D, VITAMIN 10,000/400IU SOFTGEL CAPSULES
LUTEIN (10 MG) (60)
CAROTENOID BLEND (60)
THAI-GO DRINK (2/25OZ)
If you choose a brand other than NSP, please make sure it is a reputable company that offers pure quality products.... for example it is my guess that products sold in Walmart won't cut it. Many vitamins companies don't have the quality herbs and vitamins, the manufacturing equipment, the processing and testing facilities that warrant quality products. NSP quality assurance begins with the raw product and it stays in NSP hands right down to the distributor that sells it to you... no third, fourth, fifth parties etc. are involved at all. It begins with NSP and ends with NSP. How many companies can you say that about?
More information from the All About Vision Web site
EFAs: Fat You Can Use
You're getting too much fat in your diet ... and not enough: the average American consumes way too much omega-6 fatty acid and not nearly enough omega-3. These fatty acids affect the eyes in a wide variety of ways. Find out how, and learn which foods to avoid and which to add into your diet.
Nutrition and Your Eyes: In a Nutshell
(See this link for food sources of important vitamins).
Whether you've read all the articles in this section and want a condensed recap, or you just want to cut to the chase about what foods you should be eating to protect your eyes, this summary is the place to go!
Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Antioxidants for Sight
Is carotenoid a fancy word for carrot? Not quite, but they are related. Carotenoids give carrots their orange color. You can find them in many red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as in green, leafy vegetables (which are a great source of the carotenoid lutein). Find out how they're linked to blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids:
The Batman and Robin of Eye Health
Ever-popular vitamin C may reduce your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. Bioflavonoids help your body to absorb vitamin C and sometimes work as antioxidants themselves. Learn which common fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
Vitamin E and Minerals: Nutrition from Nuts
Like vitamins A and C, vitamin E may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. The minerals selenium and zinc help your body to absorb antioxidant vitamins and may have their own protective effects as well.
If you choose a brand other than NSP, please make sure it is a reputable company that offers pure quality products.... for example it is my guess that products sold in Walmart won't cut it. Many vitamins companies don't have the quality herbs and vitamins, the manufacturing equipment, the processing and testing facilities that warrant quality products. NSP quality assurance begins with the raw product and it stays in NSP hands right down to the distributor that sells it to you... no third, fourth, fifth parties etc. are involved at all. It begins with NSP and ends with NSP. How many companies can you say that about?
posted by Karen Herrmann-DeSantis, Herb Specialist, Natural Health Educator | 8:54 AM
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