25th January 2011
Contributing Writer for Wake Up World
A new study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine shows how grapes can be utilized as a powerful tool in halting or slowing blindness brought on by age. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition which leads to a suffering retina. The condition affects millions of elderly individuals worldwide, but knowing this information can put a stop to the increasing statistics and even make it so that no eye-sight ‘promoting’ pharmaceuticals are needed.
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The study examined the effects 3 different diets had on aging mice: a diet rich in grapes, a diet with added lutein, and a normal diet. Mice are prone to developing retinal damage in old age very similar to how humans do, so the impacts of antioxidant-rich diets should have a very similar impact on humans.
What the researchers found was that the diet containing grapes provided significant protection by shielding against oxidative damage of the retina and also prevented blindness. A diet containing lutein was also effective, but not quite as effective as a grape-rich diet. A ‘normal’ diet was conclusively the least positively impacting. These results indicate that age-related vision loss is the outcome of cumulative oxidative damage over many years.
“The protective effect of the grapes in this study was remarkable, offering a benefit for vision at old age even if grapes were consumed only at young age,” states principal investigator Silvia Finnemann, PhD, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University in New York.
Of course those already entrenched in a healthy lifestyle probably don’t need to worry about AMD. Consuming a diet rich in dark leafy greens, egg yolks, yellow peppers, pumpkin, blueberries, carrots, or any other food with antioxidants is a sure way to avoid degeneration of all kinds – and that includes that of the eyes. As with any food, it is best to buy organic as they are of the utmost quality. Grapes in particular should definitely be bought organic due to high risk of contamination. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape’s thin skin.
Poor vision afflicts countless people worldwide, limiting certain daily activities and leading to expensive prescription glasses and contacts. What if there were a natural way to improve your vision, without prescription glasses or fruitless gimmicks? Try these 4 methods that have been shown to naturally improve eyesight. Backed by research and practical experience, these free methods may be the only thing needed to obtain sharper vision.
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Eyesight tip #1: Eat right for sharp sight
Our eyes require a number of key nutrients to properly function. Without proper intake of these nutrients, poor eyesight may follow. For sharper vision, incorporate these dietary powerhouses into your daily nutritional regimen:
- Antioxidants: Beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect the macula (a part of the eye that is near the center of the retina) from sun damage. Along with macular protection, foods rich in these nutrients also have been found to prevent age-related macular generation — a leading cause of blindness. Some of these foods include dark leafy greens, egg yolks, yellow peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
- DHA (Fish Oil): DHA is a fatty acid that can be found in coldwater fish like wild salmon, krill, and cod. The easiest way to consume DHA is through supplementation. A high-quality mercury-free fish oil supplement will provide structural support for the eyes through strengthening cell membranes.
- Pure water: Water is beneficial for the entire body. Drinking an adequate amount of pure filtered water will prevent total-body dehydration, and subsequently dry eyes.
Eyesight tip #2: Your eyes need exercise too
Believe it or not, the muscles in your eyes need to be exercised too. In fact, it may be your key to optimal vision. Exercising the eyes has also been found to keep eye “floaters” at bay. Here are some simple exercises that can improve your vision:
- Warm up the eyes: Rub your hands together to create warmth, and then put them over your eyes for 5 seconds. Repeat this process 3 times.
- Roll your eyes: Starting by looking at the ceiling, slowly roll your eyes 10 clockwise and 10 times counter-clockwise.
- Focus: Hold a pen an arm’s length away. Focus your vision on it, and then slowly bring the pen forward until it is about 6 inches away from your nose. Slowly move the pen back to its original position. Repeat this process 10 times.
- Massage your temples: Using the knuckles of your thumbs, gently massage your temples in small circles. Perform the motion in one direction 20 times, and then 20 times once more in the opposite direction.
Eyesight tip #3: Monitor your environment
Many environmental factors contribute to poor vision. Fluorescent lights, computer screens, environmental allergens, chlorine in swimming pools, air conditioning and heating, reading in dim lighting, and constant rubbing of the eyes all play a role in diminishing your vision. In addition, cigarette use increase optic pressure, which can result in a number of damaging consequences.
Eyesight tip #4: Resting the right way
Your eyes need rest. For every 50 minutes spent reading or sitting in front of a computer screen, give your eyes a rest for 10 minutes. Cupping your hands over your closed eyes ensuring that no light is reaching them is a great way to relax them. Be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night to ensure not only rested and recovered eyes, but a rested and recovered body.
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About the author
Anthony Gucciardi is an accomplished investigative journalist with a passion for natural health. Anthony’s articles have been featured on top alternative news websites such as Infowars, NaturalNews, Rense, and many others. Anthony is the co-founder of Natural Society, a website dedicated to sharing life-saving natural health techniques. Stay in touch with Natural Society via the following sites Facebook – Twitter – Web
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