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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

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

In addition to physical deterioration of the eye, age-related eye damage accelerates through the accumulation of oxidative damage over many years.

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 In the US, 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 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.

EyeCan See

Clearly...

Some age related eye changes may begin as early as your 30’s."

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of American adults experience increase in dry eye symptoms from increase in screen activity.2

48%

20 YEARS OLD

60 YEARS OLDBy the time you are 60, pupils can decrease to about 1/3 the size they were when you were 20.

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Foods that Protect Vision

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS TO SUPPORT BETTER VISION Signif icant scientif ic 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.

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

lowered risk of AMD when people at high risk of developing AMD took key nutrients

SEE

Nutrition to Support Better Vision & Hearing

Found in ... Nutrient Eye & Vision Ear & HearingVitamin A#609 – 250 capsules

Vitamin A Necessary for night vision.7 Shown to help reduce risk of hearing loss by 47% versus control group and 14% versus control, respectively.25

B Complex Threshold Control#612 – 180 tablets

Vitamin B Play 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 in poor results in hearing testing.26

Vitamin C Threshold Control#615 – 200 tablets

Vitamin C A large scale clinical trial 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#660 – 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 scales studies have shown that 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

Cal-Mag Chelate(with Vitamin D)#634 – 150 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 age-related 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 Complex#621 – 100 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 47% versus control group and 14% versus control, respectively.25

Omega-III Salmon Oil Plus#641 – 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 age-related hearing loss.24

Zinc (Chelated)#638 – 150 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

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 summarized 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

NeoLife’sOmega-III Salmon Oil PlusAdvancing the Science of Eye Health

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TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?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.

Our ear is a beautifully designed instrument, but aging 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

...and it

Sounds Great!

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults."

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loss are much greater than most people think. In a 2013 study, scientists tracked the overall cognitive abilities (including concentration, memory, and planning 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 Americans20 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 woodworking shop or manufacturing plant. Recreational activities such as target shooting and hunting, motorcycle riding, 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 chart to the left of the average decibel ratings of some familiar sounds.20

Age Related DeteriorationAge-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 aging. Because it’s associated with cellular senescence, it progresses slowly and may not be noticed. There is a lack of 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 HEARINGNumerous 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).

References1. 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/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-e?sso=y

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

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/diet-and-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

15. American Optometric Association, “Diet, Nutrition and Eye Health” http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/zinc?sso=y

16. Chew E., Fatty Acids in Retinopathy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011 May. 364;20:1970-1971

17. National Institute of Health- Senior Health. Hearing Loss. http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/hearinglossdefined/01.html

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/

19. Lin F. et al. Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2013; 173(4):293-299.

20. National Institute of Health- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx

21. National Institute of Health- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/tinnitus.aspx

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

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.

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

27. Brookes GB. Vitamin D deficiency and deafness: 1984 update. Am J Otol. 1985 Jan; 6(1):102-7.

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.

29. Le Prell CG, Gagnon PM, Bennett DC, Ohlemiller KK. Nutrient-enhanced diet reduces noise-induced damage to the inner ear and hearing loss. Transl Res. 2011 Jul;158(1):38-53.

Americans have chronic tinnitus21

25 MILLION

45 decibels The humming of a refrigerator

60 decibels Normal conversation

85 decibels Noise from heavy city traffic

95 decibels Motorcycles

105 decibels An MP3 player at maximum volume

120 decibels Sirens

150 decibels Firecrackers & firearms

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