alternative medicine

Magnesium may stabilize glaucoma

Following up on previous studies which had found a reduced magnesium content in aqueous humor, anterior sclera and tear fluid of patients with various stages of glaucoma (POAG), a group of researchers in Moscow conducted a study to determine whether a magnesium-containing supplement might have a beneficial effect on IOP, visual fields and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Melatonin and Glaucoma

Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in both plants and animals from the amino acid L-tryptophan. In mammals, such as humans, it is secreted by the pineal gland -- and by the retina -- and modulates the body's sleep pattern (and much more). Melatonin production in the body is triggered by darkness and inhibited by light, helping the body manage its natural rhythm. It is available over the counter as a dietary supplement in the United States.

Resveratrol Article by Robert Ritch, MD

Resveratrol Article by Robert Ritch, MD

Resveratrol is available in the FitEyes eStore. One highly recommended product is Resveratrol MedVita ResveraGrape by Paradise Herbs

Taurine may prevent age related changes in the eye

Exogenous taurine administration may be helpful in preventing age related changes in the retina.(Militante & Lombardini 2004). Taurine concentrations seem to be markedly decreased in injured photoreceptors of dogs with glaucoma (Madl et al. 2005). Article by Robert Nussenblatt, MD
Taurine is available in the FitEyes eStore. One recommended product is L-Taurine Powder 300 grams by Life Extension.

Taurine from FitEyes

Quercetin has neuroprotective effects

Quercetin and quercetin glycosides

by Makoto Aihara, MD., PhD.

Quercetin is available in the FitEyes eStore. One recommended product is Quercetin with Bromelain 240 vcaps by NOW Foods

Our Best Must-Read Blogs

Since 2006, FitEyes has published many informative blog posts about eye health, self-tonometry, glaucoma, and Alternative medicine. We continue to add to this list of favorites. We think you will enjoy reading and commenting on this very best of FitEyes content.

Top FitEyes Blog Posts

Top FitEyes Blog Posts

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Non-pharmaceutical medications and approaches to glaucoma (all articles)

rritch's picture
Submitted by rritch on Wed, 09/15/2010 - 9:33am

The blog post contains several articles. Keep scrolling down past the references at the end of each article to read the next article.

Section Leaders: Makoto Araie, Robert Ritch, Clement Tham

Contributors: Makoto Aihara, Aiko Iwase, Sandra Fernando, Michael S Kook, Simon Law, Robert Nussenblatt, Vincenzo Parisi, Nathan Radcliffe, Douglas Rhee, Kwok-Fai So, Raymond Chuen-Chung CHANG, He Wei, Lori Ventura

Consensus points

  • Plant extracts have been used medicinally throughout history. Every society has plants used medicinally
  • Even dogs eat grass when sick, while chimpanzees consume a variety of non-food plants medicinally. This is learned behavior
  • Our modern pharmacopoiea of drugs were originally synthesized from plants used medicinally. These include vitamin C, digitalis, penicillin, and pilocarpine.
  • Chinese traditional medicine in its written form dates back 5000 years.
  • Technically speaking, vitamins fall into this category. We depend on essential vitamins from food for survival. There is a fine line between nutrition and medicinal uses of plants.
  • It was only in the 20th century, with the advent of single molecule products synthesized and patented by pharmaceutical companies and U.S. medical school philosophiesthat other non-pharmaceutical traditional medications came under attack, leading often to their being ridiculed and held in contempt.Thus, in order to get away from this view, we prefer the term “non-pharmaceutical therapy” to “alternative” or “complementary”
  • Many available natural compounds used as “non-pharmaceutical therapy” have been reported to show beneficial effects on circulation, the immune system, and neuroprotective activities in vitro and in vivo.
  • The mechanism of action of neuroprotection most common to natural compounds is antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity. However, many other actions are present and some extracts, such as Gingko biloa and curcumin have widespread activity on a number of enzyme systems.
  • Comment: Some of these compounds reportedly modify expression of enzymes relating to excitotoxicity, apoptosis, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, or immune stimulation. Some of these compounds have undergone clinical trials to evidence their effects on systemic diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders.

Syntonic Light Therapy in the Treatment of Glaucoma

Submitted by Dr. Edward Kondrot on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 8:53am

Syntonic Light Therapy in the Treatment of Glaucoma
Presented at the International Syntonic Light Conference held in St. Pete Beach, Fl
April 28th - May 1st

http://www.healingtheeye.com/Articles/Syntonic_Light_Therapy_Glaucoma.html

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