Actress Judi Dench battling Macular Degeneration
Transcription
Actress Judi Dench battling Macular Degeneration
Issue 8 | Spring 2012 1-877-880-5251 help@visivite.com INSIDE: Cataract Surgery Can Improve Sight, Whole Body Health .................. 2 Announcing All Natural AREDS2 Formula............ 3 5 Tips for Dry Eye Sufferers in Winter................... 4-5 NEW! Ocular Support & R.B.I. Vision Performance Formulas.................... 6-7 LOW “GI” = Health for Eyes ........................ 8 News on Counterfeit Avastin.......................... 9 U.S. Patients Highly Dissatisfied with Health Insurance............... 10-11 Order Form..................12 Actress Judi Dench battling Macular Degeneration O scar-winning actress Judi Dench acknowledged in an interview with the Daily Mirror that she suffers from macular degeneration and can no longer see faces in front of her or read scripts. However, she refuses to let the disease interfere with her acting career. Almost 240,000 people in the United Kingdom are affected by macular degeneration and it accounts for more than half of the registrations for blind and partially sighted people in the UK. Ms. Dench is affected by the wet form in one eye and the dry form in the other eye. She underwent injections in hopes of halting the progression of the wet form. Ms. Dench revealed that her mother had been afflicted with macular degeneration as well. With no plans to retire, Ms. Dench uses glasses and bright light to assist her and will be reprising her role of M in the next James Bond film which is set to be released November 9, 2012. LETTING THE LIGHT IN: Cataract surgery can improve sight, whole body health A body of research has shown that many health problems associated with old age, including memory loss, cancer, and heart disease, may be attributed to aging of the eye. The gradual yellowing of the lens and narrowing of the pupil that naturally occur over time were previously thought to have only ocular effects. Now, researchers argue that by letting less and less sunlight pass through the lens to the retina, these aging processes inhibit the activation of important photoreceptors that regulate the body’s circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms encompass the cyclical hormonal and physiological processes that mobilize the body during the day and slow it down for rest at night. These rhythms depend on light to function properly and correspond to the 24 hour day/night cycle. Studies have found that individuals whose circadian rhythms are out of sync, like shift workers, are more vulnerable to a variety of health problems. This is believed to be due to lower release of melatonin, a hormone with many health-promoting functions that plays an important role in circadian rhythm regulation. As a result, cataract extractions that increase light entry to the retina may have benefits not only for the eye, but also for maintenance of circadian rhythms and overall body health. In addition, heightening one’s exposure to natural sunlight and bright indoor lighting may limit the incidence of many age-related problems. VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 2 VisiVite.Com Announces All-Natural AREDS2 Formula for Eye Health T he Supplement Facts section from a vitamin label isn’t the normal image that garners accolades or interest. But we’re proud to be the first and only company in the world with an all-natural AREDS2 (Age Related Eye Disease Study 2) macular health formula with NO synthetic Vitamin E, NO artificial color, NO artificial flavor, and NO artificial anything. We therefore announce the latest iteration of VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula No. 2 state-of-the-art ocular nutritional softgels. How is our AREDS2 supplement different? 1 No Synthetic DL-alpha tocopherol. Our formula only contains Natural D-alpha tocopherol. 2 No artificial color 3 No added sugar 4 No artificial sweetener 5 No chemical preservatives 6 No Titanium Dioxide. 7 Contains pharmaceutical grade ROPUFA Omega-3 essential fatty acids from purified fish oil VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 3 “If I’ve got dry eyes, why am I tearing W all the time?” By Dr. Paul Krawitz ith Dry Eye Syndrome, your tear glands can’t keep up with the rapid evaporation. This is especially common in women over the age of 30. The clear cornea on the eye’s surface, as a result, develops uncomfortable dry spots. The white conjunctiva may become red. Light sensitivity (photophobia) is common. So is a sense of hazy or unclear vision, especially when reading or working on a computer, when you blink much less frequently. The eye, now irritated, sends a message for help to the brain. The brain obliges with intermittent floods of very watery tears. Unfortunately, these are not the tears that really help the symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome. Rather, they’re a clumsy built-in rescue system that briefly douses each new fire. The most effective and highest quality tears are the ones that “seep” all day long, trickling high quality nutrients and moisture throughout the day, like one of those soaker garden hoses with the thousand pinprick holes that you lay down in your tomato garden. It is this shortage of “basal tearing” that is the most common culprit in Dry Eye Syndrome. Here are my 5 Helpful Tricks to make you more comfortable if you’re experiencing Dry Eye Symptoms: VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 4 1 Humidify your bedroom. Ultrasonic humidifiers are the quietest and cheapest, but in my own bedroom, I much prefer the moist humidified air that a warm mist humidifier produces. The latter sounds like eggs quietly frying in the kitchen, but over time, I’ve grown to like the sound. 2 Use artificial tears not when the eyes hurt, but rather BEFORE your eyes hurt. For my patients, I generally recommend 2-4 times per day, depending on how severe their dry eye symptoms. 3 Discuss Restasis prescription eyedrops with your eye doctor. In our practice, about 50% of patients notice an improvement. 4 Discuss punctal plugs with your eye doctor. This is a non surgical procedure that works to hold your limited tears on the eye before you blink them away and they disappear down the tear canal into your nose. 5 Consider using my patented Dry Eye Relief Tear Stabilization Formula. After two months use, double blind studies indicate about 70% of people notice a marked improvement in their symptoms. VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 5 Introducing 2 New VisiVite Formulas! VISION HEALTH ... ALL IN THE FAMILY? Did you know that 500 genes contribute to inherited eye diseases? Family history is a strong predictor of eye problems, especially when it comes to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Whether you’re trying to avoid grandma’s AMD or dad’s cataracts, VisiVite has a new formula designed to provide premium nutrition to healthy eyes: VisiVite Balanced Ocular Support. VisiVite Balanced Ocular Support is designed to maintain sharp vision and healthy eyes for a lifetime. This dynamic blend unites traditional eye health nutrients like zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and lutein with microcirculationboosting ginkgo biloba, inflammation-modulating turmeric and a range of protective super-antioxidants. The earlier you start with sight-supportive nutrition, the better your long-term results will be. If eye problems run in your family, start with VisiVite Balanced Ocular Support right away to preserve your crystal-clear vision. If you’re already dealing with eye health problems, share your wisdom with your children and grandchildren – let them know that eye issues run in the family, and give them VisiVite Balanced Ocular Support to promote their future vision health. Both VisiVite Balanced Ocular Support and R.B.I. Vision Performance are scheduled for sale on July 1, 2012. VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 6 GAIN THE VISION OF AN ATHLETE! Do you have a hard time keeping an eye on your golf drives? Always losing golf balls in the rough? Or perhaps when playing tennis you struggle with tracking the ball through blazing sunlight, glare and shadows. If so, you’re the reason why VisiVite is so proud to introduce R.B.I. Vision Performance: an innovative supplement that promotes pro quality sports vision. Featuring a never-before-seen blend of sight-enhancing nutrients, R.B.I. Vision Performance reduces glare, boosts contrast, sharpens acuity, enhances focus speed, energizes the eyes and accelerates electrical transmission in the retina. R.B.I. Vision Performance is safe and all-natural – laboratory tested to be free of any banned substances in professional and amateur athletics. Do you want to take your game to the next level? Do you want to achieve worldclass athletic vision for other pursuits, such as driving or photography? Maybe you have an athlete in your family; a nephew, niece or grandchild who can elevate their prowess with R.B.I. Vision Performance. Try a bottle of R.B.I. today and see why this athletic vision accelerator is a true game changer! VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 7 LOW GI = Health for eyes Counterfeit vials of Avastin discovered in the U.S. D H ave you tried the South Beach Diet, NutriSystem, or Zone Diet? If so, you probably already know about the Glycemic Index (GI): A rating scale of 1-100 that measures different foods’ impact on blood sugar. “Low-GI” diets that keep blood sugar levels stable have gained fame for helping with weight loss. Better still, these Low-GI diets have also been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Plus, new research now shows these Low-GI diets may even protect your eyesight, too! But what does Glycemic Index mean? Any time you consume carbs (yes, beverages count!), your body breaks those carbs down into sugars that enter the bloodstream. Simple carbohydrates (like white bread, rice, potatoes and sugar) have higher GI ratings – they are absorbed quickly and cause a big spike in blood sugar. High blood sugar levels have been associated with a host of different health problems. Complex carbs (like multigrain whole wheat bread, legumes and fiber), on the other hand, have lower GI ratings – they are absorbed slowly, so their sugars gradually enter the bloodstream. A recent study conducted at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at Tufts University suggests that “slow carb” lowGI diets may help to ward off Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). In the study, middle-aged mice were fed either a lower GI or higher GI diet. At the study’s conclusion, the high-GI mice were found to have larger, more severe age-related lesions in their retinas than the low-GI mice. These lesions also occur in human adults over age 60, and are considered among the earliest warning signs of AMD. The researchers also pointed out that the high-GI mice had higher levels of toxic, age-accelerating waste matter known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) in their retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These damaging AGEs may be especially bad for vision health, since the RPE protects and nourishes the eye’s rods and cones. RPE LOW GI | Continued on Next Page VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 8 octors and hospitals around the country are being put on alert that a counterfeit version of Avastin has been found in the United States. It is unknown at this time whether any patients were given the fake version or if it has caused any harm. It is also unclear how much of the counterfeit drug was distributed. The product does not contain the active ingredients that are in Avastin. Genentech, the makers of Avastin, are still testing the counterfeit vials to see what they actually do contain but a spokeswoman for the pharmaceutical company asserts that the counterfeit product is not safe or effective and should not be used. Healthcare providers are being asked to report any suspected counterfeit products to the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. The counterfeit product was packaged in boxes that were labeled in French and had lot numbers that included letters LOW GI Continued from page 8 damage is associated with vision loss and AMD. The recent Tufts study echoes other studies’ low-GI findings. In fact, an earlier analysis of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) suggested low-GI diets may reduce risk of AMD development by up to twenty percent! while the authentic Avastin clearly indicates they are made by Genentech and are labeled in English with lot numbers that do not contain letters. Avastin is an approved treatment for some forms of cancer but is also used off label to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. Low-GI diets can be satisfying and easy to follow, promoting overall wellness in addition to preserving vision health. For even more vision support, combine low-GI foods with eye-protective antioxidant nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin. By minimizing production of retina-damaging AGEs and protecting important eye cells, this dietary strategy may help to maintain crystal-clear vision health for the long haul. VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 9 REPORT: U.S. Patients Highly Dissatisfied with Health Insurance P atients often ask me which health insurer I recommend for their families. Other than Medicare for people 65 and older, there aren’t any. Monthly costs to the subscriber increase by 20-40% per year. But that isn’t the only economic burden. Copays, formerly $10 per visit, are now $40.00 to $50.00 – in some cases, more than the visit cost. Deductibles -the annual amount required for the individual or family to spend before insurance pays the first dollar, are now thousands of dollars. And doctors aren’t the beneficiaries either, with lessened pay that occurs each January 1st like clockwork. The lingo that health insurance companies use when referring to payments for doctors and hospitals are “losses”, which clearly defines their primary motivation with their subscribers. My opinion is now backed up by Consumer Reports, a not-for-profit magazine. In November 2011, the magazine published a report rating the largest insurers, state by state. Here is how the largest health insurers on Long Island, New York stacked up with Consumer Satisfaction, on a scale of 1 (Worst) to 5 (Best): Medicare, with higher levels of satisfaction, is financially underwater. And as the population continues to shift to an older average, that will worsen. REPORT | Continued on Next Page VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 10 REPORT Continued from page 10 So what is the answer? I believe that Canada provides the template for a reasonable solution, although when that country instituted universal health care, it wasn’t initially true. Canada provides all of its citizens with a basic level of coverage. Initially, it was the only way in which patients could see doctors or seek hospital care. In its early years, doctors were financially penalized for earning above a certain level of income, leading many of them to take four-month “holidays” (the term that Canadians use for vacations). And stories of patients waiting 6 months to obtain MRI’s in Canada were legendary here in the United States. Doctors and patients both screamed to be allowed to go outside the basic universal health care system. The Canadian government balked, stating that they refused to allow a “Two tier health care system.” But as the system evolved, the government began to bend. And it is now true that companies and individuals who can afford it can now go outside the system for care that is above the minimum. Americans scream for universal health care, but cry for lower taxes. And you can’t have both. Canada’s top tax tier is 48%. And up north, there is no such thing as a mortgage interest deduction. With the United States presidential election less than one year away, you’re going to be hearing a lot about the unsustainable, broken health care system. And prior to the election, no politician, not even our incumbent President, will tell you something that you don’t want to hear. But the 3 requirements are: 1. A beneficial tax environment for businesses, in order to foster employment and a mighty economic system. 2. Higher personal taxes. Yes, higher taxes. Of course, no politician will tell you this in an election year. 3. Basic Universal Health for all, with the availability to go outside that system. VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 11 VisiVite.com | 1-877-880-5251 | help@visivite.com | Page 12