NEOLIFE
Lifestyle
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Can See
Imagine yourself in picturesque surroundings...Being in that moment, senses heightened, the crisp smell of lush forest, your body enveloped in the warmth of the sun, and the gaze of your eyes beholding the majesty of the landscape as its beauty takes your breath away. But now can you imagine that same experience minus the ability to see what’s around you? Probably a much less impressive picture. The sad truth is that 3.4 million (3%) Americans aged 40 and older are either blind or visually impaired. And an estimated 19 million children below age 15 are visually impaired!1 This issue of News You Can Use focuses on nutrition to help maximise eye health so you can enjoy clear vision for a life filled with beautiful experiences.
EYE AY AY— WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Our eyes are a very important organ in the human body, generating sensory impressions to help us understand the world around us. Some age related eye changes may begin as early as your 30’s. Rampant increase in screen time in front of computers or on mobile devices is leading to an increase in dry eye symptoms—once prevalent only
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48%
of American adults experience increase in dry eye symptoms from increase in screen activity.2
in the elderly, now being experienced by 48% of adult Americans.2 Also, as we age, the shape of the eye lens changes and eyes produce fewer tears. The lens and cornea become less transparent and the field of vision shrinks. By the time you are 60, your pupils could decrease to about one-third of the size they were when you were 20.3
LOOK
Eye Clearly...
also a frequent cause of damage to the lens, and can also result in blindness.1
EYE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS…
The good news is that age-related vision loss is not inevitable. A growing number of clinical studies show that age-related vision loss can be prevented—with proactive action.
20 YEARS OLD
In addition to physical deterioration of the eye, age-related eye damage accelerates through the accumulation of oxidative damage over many years.
60 YEARS OLD
By age 65, nearly one-third of adults will experience age-related damage to their eyesight,4 and over 246 million people in the world have moderate to severe visual impairment.5 Common types of vision loss include glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The leading cause of age-related central blindness is macular degeneration. Cataracts are
By the time you are 60, pupils can decrease to about 1/3 the size they were when you were 20.
Some age related eye changes may begin as early as your 30’s."
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NEOLIFE
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS TO SUPPORT BETTER VISION Significant scientific evidence that supports the role of certain nutrients to protect the health of the eyes as we age has accumulated. However, diet alone may not be able to provide sufficient levels of these nutrients to support optimal eye health. Supplements are an excellent way to fill in nutritional gaps and have been shown to be beneficial for maintaining eye health and good vision for a lifetime.
25%
NEWS YOU CAN USE
NeoLife’s Omega-3 Salmon Oil Plus
lowered risk of AMD when people at high risk of developing AMD took key nutrients The National Eye Institute (NEI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducted a 10-year landmark clinical study called AREDS (Age Related Eye Disease Study). The study showed that a combination of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids may help slow the progression of moderate to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Scientists found that people at high risk of developing AMD lowered their risk by 25% when they took key nutrients. In addition, these nutrients reduced the risk of vision loss caused by AMD by about 19% in the same high-risk group.11
Lifestyle
Advancing the Science of Eye Health US National Institutes of Health Director, Dr. Emily Chew, cited NeoLife’s Salmon Oil Plus clinical study in the May 19, 2011 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Chew summarised a review of recent scientific literature and concluded that omega-3 supplementation would prevent or slow the rate of progression of age-related eye disease (age related macular degeneration, retinopathy and diabetic retinopathy). As evidence for her recommendation, Dr. Chew cited an article co-authored by NeoLife Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr. Arianna Carughi, which appeared in the February 9, 2011 edition of Science Translational Medicine. Dr. Chew drew some of her recommendations on the protective benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for eye health from the results of the human clinical trial on NeoLife’s Salmon Oil Plus.16
Nutrition to Support Better Vision & Hearing Found in Pro Vitality+ and...
The first thing you can do to maintain your eye health is eat a healthy diet. Poor nutrition predisposes people to developing cataracts.6 Foods that are loaded with phytonutrients for healthy eyes include: Carrots, Red Bell Peppers, Pumpkin and Sweet Potato— these foods are rich in beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent night blindness and works with other nutrients to promote eye health.7
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SEE
Foods that Protect Vision
Spinach and Kale—which are rich in carotenoids: lutein and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients get into the lens and retina of your eye, and are believed to absorb damaging light.8
Turkey, Oysters and Crab— these are loaded with zinc, which is a critical nutrient for overall eye health. Zinc is also found in eggs, peanuts and whole grains.9
Salmon, Sardines & Herring— these are wonderful sources of omega-3 fatty acids and may help provide relief for dry eyes and promote eye health.8
Seeds, Nuts and Wheat Germ—these are loaded with healthy oils and vitamin E. Vitamin E has been associated with reduced risk for cataracts.10
Strawberries, Grapefruit and Brussels sprouts—these are wonderful sources of vitamin C. Additional food sources of vitamin C are also papaya, oranges and peppers.9
Nutrient
Eye & Vision
Ear & Hearing
Vitamin A&D #2531 – 100 capsules
Vitamin A
Necessary for night vision.
Shown to help reduce risk of hearing loss by 47% versus control group.25
Vitamin B Co. SR #2541 – 60 tablets
Vitamin B
Plays a role in reducing the risk of macular degeneration, and help promote healthy blood flow in the retina.12
Poor folic acid and vitamin B-12 status may impair the myelination of the neurons in the cochlear nerves, and is correlated to poor results in hearing testing.26
Vitamin C SR #2551 – 100 tablets
Vitamin C
A large scale clinical study demonstrated that women using vitamin C for 10 years or more experienced a 64% reduction in the risk of developing cataracts.13
Laboratory studies show that vitamin C and carotenoids may help preserve hearing function.29
Carotenoid Complex #2564 – 30 capsules #2565 – 90 capsules
Carotenoids
These carotenoids absorb light and safeguard against the oxidative effects of UV rays, and are present at high levels in the retina. Several large scale studies have shown that these carotenoids may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.8
Laboratory studies show that vitamin C and carotenoids may help preserve hearing function.29
Chelated Cal-Mag #2722 – 90 tablets
Magnesium and Vitamin D
The eye has high metabolic demand, which over time, can result in inflammation and cell loss, giving rise to visual decline. Vitamin D has been linked to protection against agerelated macular degeneration.14
Expands blood vessels and improves blood circulation to the hair cells, to help prevent their death.23 Vitamin D helps strengthen the tiny bones in the ears, and helps reduce hearing loss by reducing osteopenia.27
Vitamin E 200 I.U. #2774 – 60 capsules
Vitamin E
Shown to reduce the progression of age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation, especially in combination with other antioxidants.9
Shown to help reduce risk of hearing loss by 14% versus control group.25
Omega-3 Salmon Oil Plus #2672 – 90 capsules
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Relieves dry eyes by promoting moisture in eyes and shown to prevent or slow the rate of progression of age-related eye diseases and diabetic retinopathy.8
Studies have shown that dietary intervention with Omega-3 fatty acids can prevent or delay the development of agerelated hearing loss.24
Chelated Zinc #2787 – 100 tablets
Zinc
Zinc is highly concentrated in the eye and plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Higher levels of zinc may interfere with copper absorption, which is why it’s also recommended to include this mineral as well.15
Helps improve recovery time after sudden hearing loss.28
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NEOLIFE
25 MILLION
...and it
Sounds Great!
Americans have chronic tinnitus
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?
LISTEN
The ear is a complex organ that has a very important job—turning the sounds around us into nerve impulses that the brain can interpret. The outside of the ear catches the sound and directs it to the eardrum, which causes vibrations. These vibrations are conducted into the inner ear, which moves sound through fluid that is lined with specialised nerve cells called hair cells, which are sensitive to movement. Electrical impulses generated in the inner ear travel up your auditory nerve to your brain for translation.
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults."
Our ear is a beautifully designed instrument, but ageing and environmental damage can cause the structures inside the ear to gradually deteriorate, reducing our ability to pick up sounds. Over 36 million American adults report some form of hearing loss, and hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults.17
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS Environmental Damage
According to the WHO (World Health Organization) 1.1 billion people worldwide are at risk for hearing loss due to serious threat posed by exposure to recreational noise.18 And the implications of hearing loss are much greater than most people think. In a 2013 study, scientists tracked the overall cognitive abilities (including concentration, memory, and planning 8
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skills) of nearly 2,000 older adults. After 6 years, those who began the study with hearing loss severe enough to interfere with conversation were 24 percent more likely than those with normal hearing to see their cognitive abilities diminish. Essentially, the researchers stated, hearing loss seemed to speed up age-related cognitive decline.19 If you are one of the 26 million Americans 20 impacted by noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), or one of the 25 million Americans21 with chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears), you understand the debilitating impact on your hearing and quality of life. NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as generated in a mine or manufacturing plant. Recreational activities such as target shooting and hunting, motorcycle racing, and attending loud concerts, can also put you at risk for NIHL. Experts are especially concerned with the dramatic increase in the level of noise children are exposed to in the age of iPods.20
Sound is measured in units called decibels; and exposure to high decibel sound damages hearing by damaging hair cells. When exposed to loud noise, hair cells release a burst of oxidative stress, which causes their eventual death. See below the average decibel ratings of some familiar sounds.20
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Age Related Deterioration Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis) affects 40% of the elderly population, and is becoming more prevalent. Presbycusis refers to hearing loss associated with the cochlear degenerative process of ageing. Because it’s associated with cellular senescence, it progresses slowly and may not be noticed. There is a lack of
45 decibles The humming of a refrigerator 60 decibles Normal conversation 85 decibles Noise from heavy city traffic 95 decibles Motorcycles 105 decibles An MP3 player at maximum volume 120 decibles Sirens 150 decibles Firecrackers & firearms
understanding of this disease process. At present, clinicians can only use family history, the history of onset and progression, and the results of audiometric testing to determine the degree of impairment to estimate the potential for future hearing loss. But optimal monitoring and management, including the use of hearing aids for sound amplification, can help maintain the quality of life for many patients.22
NUTRIENTS FOR BETTER HEARING Numerous clinical studies have shown that specific nutrients can help improve hearing loss, and can help reduce future age-related hearing deterioration. (See Nutrition to Support Better Vision & Hearing chart on page 7).
References
1. Congdon N., O'Colmain B., Klaver CC., Klein R., Muñoz B., Friedman DS., Kempen J., Taylor HR., Mitchell P.; Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group. Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Apr;122(4):477-85. 2. The Allergen Dry Eye Survey, conducted online in March 2011 by Harris Interactive, with 2,411 adults (age 18 and older) 3. Caprio TV., Williams TF., Comprehensive geriatric assessment. In: Duthie EH., Katz PR., Malone ML., eds. Practice of Geriatrics. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 4. 4. Quillen, D., Common Causes of Vision Loss in Elderly Patients, Am Fam Physician. 1999 Jul 1;60(1)99-108 5. WHO Media Centre, Visual Impairment and Blindness, Fact Sheet N˚282, Updated August 2014. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/ factsheets/fs282/en/ 6. Jacques PF., Hartz SC., Chylack LT., McGandy RB., Sadowski JA., Nutritional status in persons with and without senile cataract: blood vitamin and mineral levels. Am J Clin Nutr., 1988 Jul; 48(1): 152-8 7. Clifford L., Turnbull A. Denning A., Reversible night blindness- A reminder of the increasing importance of vitamin A deficiency in the developed world. J Optom. 2013 Jul; 6(3): 173-174 8. AREDS2 Research Group. Lutein/Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, published online May 5, 2013. 9. Chew et al. Long-Term Effects of Vitamins C, E, Beta-Carotene and Zinc on Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology, published online April 11, 2013.
10. American Optometric Association, “Diet, Nutrition and Eye Health” http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/dietand-nutrition/vitamin-e?sso=y
20. National Institute of Health- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ hearing/pages/noise.aspx
11. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial of High-Dose Supplementation with Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, and Zinc for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Loss. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001 Oct; 119(10):1417-1436
21. National Institute of Health- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ hearing/pages/tinnitus.aspx
12. Kuzniarz M., Mitchell P., Cumming RG., Flood VM., Use of vitamin supplements and cataract: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Jul; 132(1): 19-26 13. American Optometric Association, “Diet, Nutrition and Eye Health” http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/dietand-nutrition/vitamin-c?sso=y 14. Lee V., Rekhl E., Hoh Kam J., Jeffery G., Vitamin D rejuvenates aging eyes by reducing inflammation, clearing amyloid beta and improving visual function. Neurobiol Aging. 2012 Oct; 33(10):2382-9
22. Ciorba A., Bianchini C., Pelucchi S., Pastore A., The Impact of Hearing Loss on the Quality of Life of Elderly Adults. Clin Interv Aging. 2012; 7: 159-163 23. Choi Y., Miller J., Tucker K., Hu H., Park S., Antioxidant vitamins and magnesium and the risk of hearing loss in the US general population. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 November: doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.068437 24. Gopinath B., Flood VM., Rochtchina E., McMahon CM., Mitchell P., Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and fish and risk of age-related hearing loss. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Aug;92(2):416-21
15. American Optometric Association, “Diet, Nutrition and Eye Health” http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/dietand-nutrition/zinc?sso=y
25. Gopinath B., Flood VM., McMahon CM., Burlutsky G., Spankovich C., Hood LJ., Mitchell P., Dietary antioxidant intake is associated with the prevalence but not incidence of age-related hearing loss. J Nutr Health Aging. 2011 Dec; 15(10):896-900.
16. Chew E., Fatty Acids in Retinopathy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011 May. 364;20:1970-1971
26. Houston D., et al., Age-related hearing loss, vitamin B-12, and folate in elderly women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 March; Vol. 69 no. 3; 564-571
17. National Institute of Health- Senior Health. Hearing Loss. http:// nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/hearinglossdefined/01.html
27. Brookes GB. Vitamin D deficiency and deafness: 1984 update. Am J Otol. 1985 Jan; 6(1):102-7.
18. WHO Media Centre, Press release, February 27, 2015. 1.1 billion people at risk of hearing loss. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/ news/releases/2015/ear-care/en/
28. Arda HN., Tuncel U., Akdogan O., Ozluoglu LN., The role of zinc in the treatment of tinnitus. Otol Neurotol. 2003 Jan; 24(1):86-9.
19. Lin F. et al. Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013; 173(4):293-299.
29. Le Prell CG, Gagnon PM, Bennett DC, Ohlemiller KK. Nutrientenhanced diet reduces noise-induced damage to the inner ear and hearing loss. Transl Res. 2011 Jul;158(1):38-53.
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