Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Neuropathy Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Neuropathy is usually something that most people associate with diabetes. This is an accurate connection because one of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. But did you know that neuropathy can also occur after cancer treatments? To …
Cerebral Care Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to take the time to talk about one of my favorite formulas for our memory and brain health. This formula is called Cerebral Care. But what is it about this formula that I like so much? …
THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET~ THE FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
The Mediterranean Diet is often thought of as one of the best ways of eating. This is a great example of how a well-balanced diet, combined with complimentary supplements, can set the stage for a healthy lifestyle. But what do we really know about this incredible diet?
In its simplest form, the Mediterranean Diet is a whole food way of eating. This means you eat real, unprocessed foods. It is a diet that it rich in fruits (all kinds), vegetables (greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and everything in between), whole grains (like quinoa), beans and legumes (like lentils, peas, chickpeas). Including, in moderation, into your meal plans should also be low-fat dairy (think yogurt and feta), a variety of fish and poultry, nuts and healthy fats (look for olive oil and avocado).
So what are the benefits of following a Mediterranean Diet? Well, it has been studied and is recommended by such acclaimed establishments such as Harvard Medical School, The Mayo Clinic and The American Heart Association. This plan has been shown to help lower the risk of such issues as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, some cancers and arthritis, just to name a few. This is in part because of the elimination of chemicals and processed products, and consuming whole, nutritious foods.
SAMPLE MENU:
Breakfast~ Whole grain bread topped with smashed avocado, tomato slices, olive oil and sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
Lunch~ Watermelon salad (see recipe)
Snack~ Strawberries or pepper slices (mixture of the colors-red, yellow, orange and green) with yogurt dip (see recipe)
Dinner~ Grilled Salmon served over spinach and quinoa
WATERMELON SALAD:
2 cups arugula
1 cup watermelon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 cup cucumber (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1/2 cup low-fat feta cheese
1/4 cup raw walnuts
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, lime zest, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix up and enjoy!
YOGURT DIP:
3/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
1 scoop Greens Hx, Purples Hx, Oranges Hx or Reds Hx
Mix until well combined and enjoy with fruit or veggie sticks.
Bonus: If you add some water and a pinch of sea salt it makes a great dressing for salads or poultry.
Greens Hx is a great compliment to this diet as it is packed full of greens, vegetables and some fruits. As many people have difficulty getting enough leafy greens and vegetables in their daily diet, this is a good option to incorporate as you are working on shifting from little to no vegetables to a minimum of five cups a day can make that transition easier. It also helps to supplement nutrients and even extra probiotics to support the digestive system.
Fish Oil is a main staple as a supplement for most people. It supplies Eicosapentaeonic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaeonic Acid (DHA) to help support healthy heart and brain functions. While the Mediterranean Diet recommends fish multiple times a week, making sure we are getting a daily fish oil can offer benefits each day for optimal wellness.
Oranges Hx, Purples Hx or Reds Hx help to supply the benefits of fruits. While fruit is a staple of the Mediterranean Diet, not everyone can tolerate a variety of fruit, such as diabetics and pre-diabetics. This is a something to add to a daily regimen for added nutrients, picky fruit eaters (like me!) and even safe for those that need to monitor their blood sugar. Depending on one’s personal needs, one of these powders or a combination can be added to a glass of water of plain yogurt for a yummy daily treat.
Whether you are a carnivore or a vegan, the benefits of the Mediterranean can set you up for some positive health changes.
www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/guide-to-the-mediterranean-diet
diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2022/why-is-the-mediterranean-diet-so-good-for-you/
www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/mediterranean-diet
www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-fish-oil
Invite Health Powders Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Invite Health has an amazing line of superfood powders that can easily be incorporated into your vision heath protocol. These powders include Reds Hx, Purples Hx and both Greens Hx and Organic Greens. These powders easily complement …
THE KETO DIET~ IS IT OR ISN’T IT GOOD FOR EVERYONE? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT The Keto Diet…we’ve all heard about it, we all have opinions on it, but what do we really know about this diet theory. It seems as though …
Dry Eye
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Are your eyes stinging, burning or red? You might have something called dry eye! Now I bet the first thing you’re going to say is but Dr. Claire I drink water all day! How can I have dry eye? While on the surface dry eye may seem like its just related to our water intake the truth is that it’s actually more complicated than that. Basically when you have dry eye your tears don’t provide adequate lubrication which can lead to inflammation and even damage to our eyes. (1)
Tears are made up of 3 parts. These include mucus, water and a lipid portion. (2) This combination is what keeps our eyes lubricated. Problems with any 1 of these layers can cause dry eye. So normally the tear gland or lacrimal gland supplies the tears that are wiped across your eyes when you blink. The excess then drains into your nose via the tear duct or nasolacrimal duct. () I know this sounds complicated so I’ve attached a picture so you can get a visual on what it looks like! (3)
What kind of symptoms can you expect when you have dry eye? You may notice that your eyes are red and there may be mucus in or around your eyes. You may feel like there’s something in your eyes. Additionally there may be a stinging, burning or scratchy feeling. You may notice that your vision is becoming blurry and you may experience eye fatigue. You may develop a sensitivity to light as well as difficult with driving in low light. If you wear contacts they be difficult to wear. Lastly as a response to the dry, irritated eyes you may develop watery eyes. (1) Some people with dry eye describe it as a burning, achy, even “gritty” feeling in their eyes. (4)
How do you know if it’s dry eye? The best thing is to see your eye doctor for a definitive answer. First they will do a comprehensive eye exam. Then they may do a test to measure the volume of your tears. They can also check the quality of tears as well as how much water there is in your tears. Lastly they can check your tear samples to ask for markers of dry eye disease. (1) Who knew tears could be so complicated?
Now what exactly are the risk factors for dry eye? Anything that can decrease tear production can lead to dry eye. Certain eye disease as well as certain chronic diseases can decrease tear production. These can include allergies, graft vs. host disease, Lupus, RA, Sarcoidosis, Scleroderma, Sjogrens, thyroid disorders and even vitamin A deficiency! Even certain medications can decrease our tear production. These common medications can include anti-histamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, Parkinson’s medications and hormone replacement drugs. Even birth control can increase risk of dry eye. Similarly hormone changes that occur during pregnancy or during menopause can increase dry eye risk, which means that women are at a higher risk in general for dry eye. Something called corneal nerve de-sensitivity can increase risk. Lastly as we age there can be a decrease in tear production, and this decrease becomes more common after age 50. (1)
In addition to lower tear production anything that increases tear evaporation can lead to dry eye. Once again a vitamin A deficiency is a risk. Being in a place that in windy, smoky or even dry can increase evaporation. Having allergies is a risk. Certain eye diseases such as posterior blepharitis, ectropion, and entropion increase risk. Lastly blinking less often such as when you’re focused or if you have certain conditions such as Parkinson’s. Lastly you are more likely to have dry eye if you wear contacts or have a history of refractive surgery. (1)
Now a series question – can dry eye have complications? Yes it can. Tears protect our eyes. One of the things they protect us from is infection. They also protect us from damage to our eyes. Without the correct amount of tears you are at risk for infections, damage to the eye which can lead to corneal ulcers and even vision loss. Dry eyes can even decrease the quality of life as it can make certain activities of daily living difficult. (1)
What can you do if you have dry eye?
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