is a lutein and zeaxanthin supplement needed to prevent blindness?

12.30: cook/macuguard/4-star/
new formula tastes like soap, is it essential?

12.30: summary:

. this is research about a supplement

that features lutein and zeaxanthin

for the purpose of protecting the eyes

from blindness caused by macular degeneration.

. lutein comes from grean leafy vegetables,

but zeaxanthin is not so easy to get;

is it really needed? or can I rely on leaf?

11.28: 12.30:

Life Extension MacuGuard Ocular Support with Saffron

[purchased from amazon B01HFREINK(ad)]

. I chew this along with my other fat-soluble supps,

rather than swallow it whole,

and I noticed it tasted like soap in this new batch;

but I figured that's just the way marigold's can taste,

and I just never noticed it before,

or they have some new (possibly better) extraction method.

. this supp provides some eye-protecting pigments

not found in the dark green leafy veg (zeaxanthin).

. both those pigments might be preventing

macular degeneration

when combined with minimizing 

omega-6 veg oil and grain-fed animal fat,

maximizing omega-3 fish oil,

and staying away from refined sugars.

. "risk factors for AMD include

Blue light irradiation to the macula,

Hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes."

[ Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 May 4

Antioxidants and Mechanistic Insights for Managing

Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration;

Deepak Basyal, Sooyeun Lee, Hye Jin Kim.]

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11117704/

. the dramatic rise in the rates of AMD

are due to the rise of omega-3 vegetable oil

and grain-fed animal fat.

. there has also been a rise in refined sugars,

which may contribute to eye stress.

[ ophthalmology prof Dr. Chris A Knobbe 2023

The Ancestral Diet Revolution: 

How Vegetable Oils and Processed Foods

Destroy Our Health - and How to Recover!

https://amzn.to/3BRZCj9

[book from amazon (ad)]

or see the cureAMD organization website:

https://www.cureamd.org/introduction-is-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-preventable-and-treatable-with-diet/]

"An intake of dietary supplied nutrients

rich in the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, 

appears to be beneficial in protecting retinal tissues, 

but this is not proven. 

Until scientifically sound knowledge is available 

we recommend" those at risk of AMD to

eat more dark green leafy vegetables, 

and protect their eyes from the sun's UV light

with protective lenses and a hat.

[ Nutr J. 2003

The role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, 

in protecting against age-related macular degeneration: 

a review based on controversial evidence;

Maneli Mozaffarieh, et al.]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14670087/

. lutein may be more important than zeaxanthin

and you can get that from leafy greens:

Ophthalmology 2012

Effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment

and visual function in patients with

early age-related macular degeneration;

Le Ma, et al, Randomized Controlled Trial 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22858124/

. Early AMD patients were assigned randomly to receive

10 mg/day lutein (n = 27), 

20 mg/day lutein (n = 27), 

10 mg/day lutein plus 10 mg/day zeaxanthin (n = 27); 

or placebo (n = 27) for 48 weeks. 

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) 

and visual function variables were assessed

at baseline, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks.

Results: 

Macular pigment optical density 

increased significantly by a mean ± standard error of 

0.076 ± 0.022 density unit 

in the 20-mg lutein group and 

0.058 ± 0.027 density unit in the 

lutein and zeaxanthin group during 48 weeks. 

[12.30: so given the standard error,

it's not clear whether your extra 10 mg

of more lutein or instead zeaxanthin

is better for Macular pigment optical density;

but if all error was equal,

it might be better to replace zeaxanthin

with more lutein?]

There was a significant dose-response effect for

lutein supplementation, ...

At 48 weeks, a trend toward improvement was seen in 

best-corrected visual acuity, 

and there was a significant between-group difference in 

contrast sensitivity at 3 and 6 cycles/degree 

between the 

20-mg lutein group and the placebo group. [12.30: 

but less dramatic findings in the

lutein + zeaxanthin group?]

Conclusions: 

Among patients with early AMD, 

supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin

improved macular pigment, 

which played a causative role in boosting visual function

and might prevent the progression of AMD.

[12.30:

. but the data seems to show that

given the same high dose,

having it be all lutein was more effective than 

half of it being zeaxanthin? ]

. lutein and zeaxanthin are better for eyes than beta-carotene.

[ JAMA Ophthalmol . 2014

Secondary analyses of the effects of 

lutein/zeaxanthin

on age-related macular degeneration progression: 

AREDS2 report No. 3

Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group; 

Emily Y Chew, et al]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24310343/

Randomized Controlled Trial.

. we also need to increase fish-oil/veg-oil ratio;

however certain nuts may also be helpful:

"Intake of Vegetables, Fruit, and Fish

is Beneficial for Age-Related Macular Degeneration"

[ Am J Ophthalmol . 2019

Alexandra P M, et al.]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30312575/

. "The rate of slowing AMD progression was higher in

patients who followed the Mediterranean Diet 

and received a dietary supplement, 

compared to patients who skipped either 

supps or diet (p<0.001)."

. the supp was AREDS 2 formula 

(lutein 10 mg, zeaxanthin 2 mg, 

vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin E 400 IU, 

zinc oxide 80 mg or 25 mg, 

and cupric oxide 2 mg) (8) 

. the diet is high in polyphenols from olive oil,

non-refined cereals, potatoes, fruits, 

vegetables, legumes, fish, 

and is low in 

poultry, mammal meat, full fat dairy, and alcohol.

[ In Vivo. 2023 

Effect of the Mediterranean Diet on Progression of

Dry Form of Age-related Macular Degeneration;

Danai-Magdalini Gourgouli, et al]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37369498/

. things to consider about that study:

. if they did better using the lutein supplement

it could be that their diet's "vegetables"

didn't include much dark green leaf.

. cereals are a source of omega-6 oil;

there are better sources of fiber;

especially the legumes (eg, peas and lentils)

and the vegetables.

. concerning non-refined cereals,

Dr.Gundry 2017 tells us that whole wheat lectins 

are a source of autoimmunity that clogs arteries.

https://amzn.to/4gQXNBM [The Plant Paradox (ad)]

. "Eating a lot of dark leafy vegetables

and some fruits

can help to prevent some diseases."

[ Nutrients. 2022

Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Their Roles in

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

—Neurodegenerative Disease;

Małgorzata Mrowicka, et al]

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8874683/

--

though Dr.Gundry 2017 tells us that

american fruits such as 

corn, pumpkin, tomato, and squash

can have lectins that some don't tolerate.

. "daily use of 5 grams of fish oil

(3.4 g of EPA and 1.6 g of DHA) 

significant improved vision acuity in 

patients with dry AMD."

[ PharmaNutrition 2014

Pilot study for treating dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 

with high-dose omega-3 fatty acids

Tassos Georgiou, et al.]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221343441300042X

. "A high intake of dietary fish oil or fish

was associated with a reduced risk of developing of AMD;

Every 15 g/day of fish consumption

was associated with 13% lower incidence of early AMD. 

(there are 125g per tin of sardines)

. fish intake was associated with a significantly

reduced risk of AMD progression 

(RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.00).

The dose-response analysis showed a 6% and 22% decrease

in the risk of early and late AMD

for each additional 1 g/d fish oil intake."

[ Clin Nutr. 2021

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish intake 

and risk of age-related macular degeneration;

Hong Jiang, et al.]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34749130/

". there is evidence of protection against early AMD 

from regularly eating fish, 

greater consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, 

and having low intakes of foods rich in linoleic acid 

[omega-6 oil from grains and grain-fed meats]. 

Regular consumption of nuts may also reduce AMD risk." [12.30: 

despite being a significant source of linoleic acid.]

[ Arch Ophthalmol. 2009

Dietary fatty acids and the 10-year incidence of

age-related macular degeneration: 

the Blue Mountains Eye Study

Jennifer S L Tan, et al, Paul Mitchell.]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19433717/

. especially pistachio nuts:

"Pistachio Consumption Increases 

Macular Pigment Optical Density

in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial"

[ J Nutr. 2024 Oct 18

Tammy M Scott, et al, Elizabeth J Johnson]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39426460/

. pistachio are best at improving blood lipids:

[ Am J Clin Nutr. 2020

Comparative effects of different types of tree nut consumption

on blood lipids: a network meta-analysis of clinical trials;

Kai Liu, et al, Linlang Liang ]

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31773150/

. "Bioactive compounds from tree nuts

delay aging and age-related diseases

possibly by several mechanisms:

. the Nrf2/EpRE pathway is upregulated 

and NF-кB pathway is downregulated by tree nuts.

. Tree nuts exert cytoprotection via antioxidant and

anti-inflammatory activities."

[ Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019:

Benefits of tree nut consumption on aging

and age-related diseases: Mechanisms of actions;

Marius Emil Rusu]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224418308203

coronary microvascular dysfunction

 24.2.9: web.health/heart/
coronary microvascular dysfunction:

summary:

. if you feel like a heart attack is happening

but they can't find an obstructed or clogged artery,

that is known as MINOCA:

myocardial infarction [heart cell death due to blood loss]

with non-obstructive coronary arteries 

which can be caused by artery spasms, ripped artery,

or a new condition that is known by many names:

coronary microvascular dysfunction

Coronary microvascular disease

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction

Cardiac syndrome X

Nonobstructive coronary heart disease.

ami.org 2024.2.5

https://www.facebook.com/amidotorg/posts/pfbid022tx3M4kK9x4LdyGzERCRcB7qb3hMtpo1ThRziRvhFdNo6He8v8Ktd7RqMWdL2nPml

The Association of Medical Illustrators is

excited to announce the launch of 

the first round of illustrations through the 

AMI Diversity Fellowship, 

made possible by a grant through Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) 

Our Race to Health Equity (ORTHE) initiative. 

In recognition, we will be highlighting the work of

each of our Diversity Fellows.

eg, the first illustration highlights

myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

[!] image: myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries 

(MINOCA), can be caused by artery spasms 

or coronary microvascular dysfunction.

interesting that mentions  

"coronary microvascular dysfunction";

it is a new diagnosis with many names...

Small vessel disease

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/small-vessel-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352117

Small vessel disease may also be called:

Coronary microvascular disease

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction

Small vessel disease is treatable but may be difficult to detect. 

The condition is typically diagnosed after finding

little or no narrowing in the main arteries of the heart

despite the presence of symptoms that suggest heart disease.

Coronary Microvascular Disease (MVD)

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/angina-chest-pain/coronary-microvascular-disease-mvd

In coronary MVD, the heart's coronary artery blood vessels

don't have plaque, but damage to the inner walls of the blood vessels

can lead to spasms 

or abnormalities in smaller arteries.

Other names for coronary microvascular disease:

Cardiac syndrome X

Nonobstructive coronary heart disease

Treatment

Medications to relax blood vessels including 

beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin.

Noel Bairey Merz, MD

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/what-is-minoca-a-type-of-heart-attack-mostly-affecting-women/

What is MINOCA? A Type of Heart Attack Mostly Affecting Women

. myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries 

(MINOCA), is garnering increased attention.

Janet Wei, MD, and Noel Bairey Merz, MD:

MINOCA is a heart attack caused by 

poor blood flow to the heart, 

despite no evidence of major blockage in the arteries,

eg, coronary artery spasms, and

spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

A troubling aspect of MINOCA is that

often when we diagnose a heart attack, 

we rely on a single imaging method

—invasive coronary angiogram—

to tell us if there’s a big blockage in the coronary arteries. 

With MINOCA, the angiogram can look normal.

MINOCA patients are more likely to be female and younger, 

and they’re also more likely to be Black or Hispanic/Latino. 

The Blind Girl Sees by Amber Needham 2022

 2023.7.18: bk.psy/schiz/Amber Needham 2022`The Blind Girl Sees:

Amber Needham 2022`The Blind Girl Sees

https://amzn.to/3DoQDCY

5-star/informative and inspiring:

vegetables having bitter anti-cancer goodness bred out of them

 2023.5.12: news.health/diet/
vegetables having bitter anti-cancer goodness bred out of them:

. when you hear that certain foods have anti-cancer effects,

consider that some are trying to breed sweeter vegetables

that could reduce their anti-cancer effects.

. many brussel sprouts have been bred to have less

bitter glucosinolates, which made them more popular.

https://twitter.com/scifri/status/1657085545338531840

https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/otc-birth-control-pill/#segment-transcript

. glucosinolates are known for beneficial effects including 

regulation of inflammation, stress response, 

and phase I metabolism.

Glucosinolates that combine with myrosinase, 

can become an anti-cancer isothiocyanate.

. foods with high glucosinolates 

should not be the primary source of energy

because heavy doses can result in goiter, anemia, 

organ lesions, and reduced growth.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/glucosinolate

. in what other ways are healthy fruits and vegetable

made less healthy or anti-cancer by breeding that makes them 

sweeter or less bitter?

low-dose aspirin seems good for eyes except with vitamins

2023.3.2: web.health/diet/aspirin/blindness/

low-dose aspirin seems good for eyes except with vitamins:

summary:

. there are some studies that seemed to show

that aspirin increased your risk of blindness;

but the best type of study (randomized trials)

showed they actually reduced the risk of blindness

unless you happen to be the user of multivitamins.

. one study showed that only people with good genes

 may benefit from a good diet;

but you should be safe from AMD blindness if you

limit both omega-6 vegetable oils and your glycemic load.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C3&q=omega-6+%2C+amd+blindness

Ophthalmology. 2019

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6875604/

The association of aspirin use with

age-related macular degeneration progression 

in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies: AREDS2 Report No. 20.

. there are 2 randomized clinical trials:

Arch Ophthalmol. 2001: 

Age-related maculopathy in a randomized trial of low-dose aspirin among US physicians. 

Ophthalmology. 2009:

Low-dose aspirin and medical record-confirmed age-related macular degeneration in a randomized trial of women. 

. using 100mg aspirin every other day

slightly reduced your risk of AMD

yet increased your risk if you used certain multivitamin supplements.

"Among current nonusers of multivitamins, 

those in the aspirin group had a statistically-significant

32% reduced risk of AMD (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49−0.95) 

whereas among current users of multivitamins, 

there was a nonsignificant 14% increased risk of AMD 

in the aspirin group (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.76−1.70)"

[ Ophthalmology. 2009

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19815293/

Low-Dose Aspirin and Medical Record Confirmed

Age-related Macular Degeneration in a Randomized Trial of Women;

William G. Christen, Sc.D, et al.]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2787838/

"men assigned to alternate-day low-dose aspirin (325 mg) 

had a statistically non-significant 

22% reduced risk of visually-significant AMD 

during a five year treatment period."

. placebo terminated early due to aspirin causing

a 44% reduced risk of first myocardial infarction.

[ Arch Ophthalmol. 2001

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11483080/

Age-related maculopathy in a randomized trial of

low-dose aspirin among US physicians;

W G Christen et al.]

"In AREDS, both aMedi[Mediterranean-type diet] and its fish component

interacted with CFH rs10922109 for late AMD

(P = 0.01 and P = 0.0005, respectively); 

higher aMedi and fish intake were each associated with 

decreased risk of AMD only in participants with protective alleles. 

Closer adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet 

was associated with lower risk of progression to late AMD and to large drusen. 

The signal was greater for GA than neovascular AMD. 

Fish intake contributed to this protective association. 

CFH genotype strongly influenced these relationships. 

Hazard ratios (HRs) for progression in aMedi tertile 3 versus 1 

were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.85, P < 0.0001) 

for late AMD, 0.71 (0.63-0.80, P < 0.0001) for GA, 

and 0.84 (0.75-0.95, P = 0.005) for neovascular AMD. 

For fish consumption, HRs for late AMD in quartile 4 versus 1 were

0.69 (0.58-0.82, P < 0.0001; AREDS) and 

0.92 (0.78-1.07, P = 0.28; AREDS2). 

. the HR for progression to large drusen in aMedi tertile 3 versus 1 was 

0.79 (0.68-0.93, P = 0.004)."

[ Ophthalmology. 2020

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32348832/

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Progression to

Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration 

in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies 1 and 2;

Tiarnán D Keenan, et al;

Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) 1 and 2 Research Groups.]

Dr. Barry Sears 2002`The Omega Rx Zone:[ad]
The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil

The Mediterranean Zone: [ad] 
Unleash the Power of the World's Healthiest Diet for Superior Weight Loss, Health, and Longevity Hardcover – 2014 by Dr. Barry Sears (Author)

 

Self-Regulation Skills by Instant Relief team 2023

2023.1.27: bk.psy/Instant Relief team 2023`Self-Regulation Skills:

a comment on the book: Instant Relief team 2023:

Self-Regulation Skills Workbook for Kids: 

Positive Thinking, Mindfulness, CBT and DBT Tools, Exercises. 

Everything a Child Should Know to Deal with Big Feelings 

and Handle Strong Emotions.

https://amzn.to/3HClnnd[ad]

4-star/text is not linked to the references:

metformin for preventing blindness #amd #health #blindness #metformin

2023.1.22: news.health/diet/blindness/amd/metformin:

. if your blood sugar is borderline high,

then you might be a candidate for taking metformin;

that drug is now known to reduce the risk of blindness

by inhibiting retina death (geographic atrophy)

and by inhibiting intraocular neovascularization (wet AMD).

Int J Ophthalmol. 2021 Aug:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34414094/

Newly-found functions of metformin 

for the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration;

Kuan-Rong Dang, Tong Wu, Yan-Nian Hui, Hong-Jun Du.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8342286/

KAATSU intermittent hypoxia system #health #exercise #weightlifting

 2023.1.15: news.health/exercise#peak-resistance/
KAATSU intermittent hypoxia system:

. preventing blood flow during weightlifting

causes full exhaustion of even the 

fast-twitch muscle fibers,

for exercise that gives you

faster, more powerful muscles.

. you can do this by using weight machines

that keep tension on the muscle between reps,

or you can use tight bands that reduce blood flow.

emotion control for health by Theu Fa'a 2022

2022.12.3: 12.13: bk.health/psy/Theu Fa'a 2022`Healthy Habits:

Theu Fa'a 2022`Healthy Habits: 

HEAL YOURSELF FROM WITHIN: 

Eliminate Stress, Fear, Worry, and Negative Emotions

- INSPIRING TRUE STORIES OF SELF-HEALING

https://amzn.to/3F3k7H2[ad]

4-star/much good but also needs to wake up about covid:

. this author has studied under Dr.Dispenza

and Dr.Bruce Lipton, and they do great work.

. Theu has renewed my interest in EFT

(emotional freedom technique)

as a way to relax negative emotions.

. the book's references are numbers, not names and dates,

yet the list of references has no numbering?

no, you can click on a number,

and it will take you to the "notes" page

even though that page is not listed in the

table of contents.

skinless chicken has an omega-6 load similar to a single yolk

 2022.10.21: web.health/diet/omega-6/
skinless chicken has an omega-6 load similar to a single yolk:

. an egg's worth of arachidonic omega-6

will prevent fish oil from causing bleeding disorders,

but too much may increase clotting disorders,

and contribute to inflammation.

. skinless chicken has an omega-6 load 

similar to a single yolk:

Simplify Your Health by Dr. Lucas Ramirez 2022

 22.10.15..19: bk.health/diet/Dr. Lucas Ramirez 2022`Simplify Your Health

. this is a commentary on the book of

vascular neurology Dr. Lucas Ramirez 2022:

Simplify Your Health: A Doctor's Practical Guide to a Healthier Life 

https://amzn.to/3Tkvf7Y[ad]

4-star/great advice ..and battling "misinformation":

methyl salicylate on mucous membranes

 20.10.16: health/diet/methyl salicylate on mucous membranes:

. one can get a cleaner toilet wipe by adding alcohol to the paper.

. alcohol may raise the risk of cancer,

but there may be less risk with salicylates added,

hence the use of alcohol with methyl salicylate.

. is it safe to rub methyl salicylate on mucous membranes?

it is absorbed even through skin where it supposed to be used,

and is added to food as a flavoring.

yoga could be healing because you believe in it

2022.10.5: bk.health/psy/yoga/Advait 2020:

Hack Your Brain The Yogic Way: 

15 Secret Ancient Indian Techniques 

to Enhance Cognitive Fitness, Promote Neurogrowth, 

Improve Your Focus and Unleash Your ... Potential.

https://amzn.to/3CzYxtF[ad]

3-star/could be healing because you believe in it:

Chuck Norris anti-aging diet

2022.9.15: health/diet/Chuck Norris anti-aging diet:

Chuck's 3 keys to healthy aging:

1: healthy microbiome: 

needs probiotics and prebiotics

(onion and Jerusalem artichoke inulin)

2: superfoods: barley grass, kale, alfalfa.

3: rapid aging fix: ashwagandha,
and bovine collagen peptides.

bone and muscle boosters

 2022.8.22: health/diet/osteo/hormonics/
bone and muscle boosters:

. one of the best things you can do for bones

is getting vitamin k2 to keep the calcium 

from being pulled out of bones by vitamin D.

Vitamin K2 doses need to much higher than vitamin K1 doses,

and I found only one supplement that provides a dose

proven effective in studies:

Life Extension Mega Vitamin k2, 45,000 micrograms of the mk4 form of K2.

https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item02417/mega-vitamin-k2-high-potency-for-strong-bones

regenerative farming for mycelium for ergothioneine #health #diet

 2022.6.20: news.health/diet/ergothioneine/regenerative farming for mycelium:

summary:

. regenerative farming means not tilling the soil;

not tilling preserves the fungal biomass of the top soil;

fungal biomass is our primary source of ergothioneine,

an amino acid related to histidine,

which is taken up by the plants we grow in fungal soil,

and then taken up by the animals that eat those plants.

. ergothioneine may be reducing our risk of Alzheimer's,

possibly by protecting mitochondrial function.

. the beef from a regenerative farm also had 

a higher ratio of omega-3 to omega-6.

lowering vegf helps #amd? several herbs lower vegf #health #diet

 22.6.6: web.health/diet/blindness/amd/

lowering vegf helps amd? several herbs lower vegf:

summary:

. several methods of cancer treatment

are anti-angiogenic: they work by

stopping new blood vessel growth.

. one thing that cancers and amd blindness

have in common, is excess production of vegf

(vascular endothelial growth factor)

that causes the rapid growth of blood vessels

that tend to be leaky and result in edema.

. for wet amd (age-related macular degeneration

with high vegf that results in leaks and edema)

the only anti-vegf treatments have been injections

that are very expensive and can be painful.

. several herb are known to lower vegf,

and I wondered if taking them orally

could lower vegf in the eye.

more orange yolk means less AMD blindness

2022.5.23: health/diet/egg/blindness/
more orange yolk means less AMD blindness:

summary:

. a yolk that is more orange (than yellow)

is likely to have more lutein and zeaxanthin

that reduces the risk of AMD blindness.

. organic eggs have rules about

the coloring additives added to chicken feed.

. if you are not certain about the quality

of the coloring in your egg,

you can supplement with zeaxanthin and lutein.

[eg, MacuGuard® Ocular Support with Saffron:

https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item01992/macuguard-ocular-support-with-saffron

10 mg free lutein, 

4 mg meso-zeaxanthin & trans-zeaxanthin.]

. taking the supplement with yolk

might increase its bioavailability

because MacuGuard claims to use Phospholipids

in order to enhance lutein absorption,

and egg yolk contains Phospholipids.

[ Nutrients. 2015

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425170/

Egg Phospholipids and Cardiovascular Health.

Christopher N. Blesso]

does copper improve or worsen schizophrenia?

2022.4.10: psy/schiz/diet/copper/
does copper improve or worsen schizophrenia?

summary:

. it was found in 1959 that ceruloplasmin, which carries copper,

could improve psychotic symptoms in many schiz'ics.

. however, it was also found that some measure of copper

is elevated in schiz'ia,

or in any condition causing chronic stress or fear.

. ceruloplasmin is used as a measure of copper

because 95% of blood copper is in ceruloplasmin

but ceruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant, 

increased during inflammation, infection, trauma, pregnancy, etc. 

. some who are assuming that copper is a cause of schiz'ia

are theorizing that ceruloplasmin may be 

catalyzing the oxidation of epinephrine 

to some psychosis-inducing indole-like material.

. but if ceruloplasmin can improve psychotic symptoms,

it is likely that the rises in ceruloplasmin 

are a reaction to the stress of schiz'ia,

and not the cause of it.

use of a bisphosphonate Fosamax (alendronate sodium) vs vitamin k2 (mk-4)

2022.4.6: health/diet/vit'k2/med/osteo/

use of a bisphosphonate Fosamax (alendronate sodium) vs vitamin k2 (mk-4):

summary:

. some studies show that the bisphosphonate 

Fosamax (alendronate sodium)

is not really helpful,and risks might include 

atrial fibrillation, but the evidence is conflicting.

. meanwhile, a study of vitamin k2 (mk-4)

was so effective it was hard to believe!