L Carnosine Plus
L Carnosine Plus Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Today we will be talking about a product you may have heard of. This product is L Carnosine. Now I just want to point out that in this blog I will be talking about L Carnosine not …
Tag: wellness
HERPES VS COLD SORES~ IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
HERPES VS COLD SORES~ IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Herpes…the word always seems make people cringe and curl their face in disbelief. It is associated with sores along the nether regions of the body. Many people are plagued with …
Macular Degeneration part 2
Macular Degeneration part 2
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In my last blog I began the conversation on macular degeneration. Today I’ll be finishing that important topic. Let’s start with the most common risk factors for macular degeneration. One of the largest risk factors for macular degeneration is age, specifically being over 50years old. Having a personal or family history of macular degeneration, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease are all a risk factor. Smoking cigarettes is also a risk factor. Being overweight and eating a diet high in saturated fat also increases your risk of macular degeneration. For more information on the complex world of saturated fats please check out a blog by my colleague Allie Might which is titled Fats – the skinny you need to know.
How does the doctor go about diagnosing you with macular degeneration? One way to monitor your vision if macular degeneration is a concern is the Amsler grid that I referenced in my prior blog. One of the methods an ophthalmologist will use is to dilate your eyes and then use a special lens to look at the inside of your eye. Another method of looking at the retina and macula is called optical coherence tomography (OCT) and this is a machine that scans the retina providing a detailed view of both the retina and macula. Yet another test that your doctor can run is fluorescein angiography which can help to determine abnormal new blood vessel growth. (1)
What are the most common complications that can occur when you have macular degeneration? While macular degeneration rarely cause’s what most people think of as complete blindness it can have a severe impact on certain activities. This is because it can cause a severe loss of our central vision. So what does this mean in real life? Certain activities such as reading, driving and even the ability to recognize a person’s faces are all examples of activities that need fine central vision. (2) As the disease progresses there may be the development of a condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome, which is where an induvial experiences visual hallucinations. A possible complication of dry macular degeneration is develop of wet macular degeneration which cause’s very rapid degeneration of our vision. Those who have macular degeneration are at an increased risk for social isolation and even depression. (3) So what does the world look for those with macular degeneration? Please see the below picture for a view of what it may look like if you have macular degeneration. (4)
How is dry macular degeneration treated conventionally? One method to help with dry macular degeneration is the use of 2 medications one of which is an injection. A large study has also found that certain vitamins and minerals may slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration can be helped with medications called anti-VEGF drugs as well as laser surgery. (1)
I know I said earlier that specific nutrients can help with dry macular degeneration. While these nutrients are helpful with dry macular degeneration there is very little other than medications or laser surgery than can help with wet macular degeneration. That being said even if you have wet macular degeneration it is important to help support our eye health so that our vision can be the best it can be. Now let’s dig into what these nutrients are, shall we?
- Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Lutein, beta carotene, copper, Zeaxanthin and Zinc have all been studied extensively for macular degeneration. In fact they are part of a well-known product that is recommended by eye doctors known as AREDs. The major study known as the ARED study conducted by the National Eye Institute found that these nutrients can help to reduce the advancement of dry macular degeneration. (5) These important nutrients are found in Macula Advanced, Lutein Plus, our extensive line of multivitamins as well as products such as Immunity Hx. Invite also has an extensive line of vitamin c products.
- Grape Seed extract has been studied and found to have potential benefits for macular degeneration and one study found that it “could be a potential treatment for macular degeneration”. (6) Please see Invite’s Grape Seed extract as well as our Daily Multi with Grape Seed.
- L Carnosine has been found in studies to be able to protect our eyes from macular degeneration. (7) Please see Invite’s L Carnosine Plus
- Our next product highlight will be Lutein Plus!
Sources:
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3tCyBhDBARIsAEY0XNnHxcSvQv9bWm8WsC_5Xe66KBAIs6TGA7JZf7nfpc-S-JF4JSpyd_gaApvvEALw_wcB#diagnosis
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/agerelated-macular-degeneration-amd
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-macular-degeneration/symptoms-causes/syc-20350375
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm
- https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8286255/#s0004title
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10146178/#sec5-molecules-28-03324title
Macular Degeneration part 1
Macular Degeneration part 1 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Macular Degeneration is more common than you might think. In fact according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology age related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in those age 50 and …
Grape Seed for our vision?
Grape Seed for our vision? Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND A simple internet search for grape seed will show you how amazing grape seed really is! In fact most people know some of the benefits of Grape Seed. But what they may not know is …
HEPATITIS~ THE TYPES, THE SUPPORT AND CAN IT BE PREVENTED?
HEPATITIS~ THE TYPES, THE SUPPORT AND CAN IT BE PREVENTED?
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Hepatitis is a disease that we’ve all heard about and it also triggers fear for many when it’s discussed. It is often associated with hypodermic needle drug users, giving it a really bad reputation. However, more often it is in the news due to an outbreak at a restaurant, or talked about in the gossip pages when some of our iconic celebrities are mentioned. While this makes us aware of hepatitis, what do we really know about it? Let’s explore the more common types and how we can protect ourselves.
What exactly is hepatitis? While there are many types, the three most common are types A, B and C, and simply put, hepatitis is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be an acute (temporary or short term) or chronic (ongoing or long term) condition. Common symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and even a fever, mimicking a stomach flu or food poisoning. In more severe cases, one may experience dark urine, itchy skin, jaundice (yellowed skin and/or eyes) or even become disoriented.
Hepatitis A is a virus that typically isn’t harmful but is highly contagious and can take anywhere from a couple weeks to multiple months to recover from. While it can be transmitted by direct contact with someone who’s infected (sexual contact, shared needles, etc.), it is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and/or drinks. This happens by being exposed to soil, water or poor hygiene as the contamination is usually through feces. This is normally acute and clears up without long-term effects on the liver.
Hepatitis B can be acute and/or asymptomatic for many years, causing it to unknowingly be spread to others. Healthy diet, hydration, and continued monitoring with your doctor can help manage acute Hep B. Chronic Hep B can be more serious and as the liver inflammation may also be accompanied with scarring, or cirrhosis, particularly if ones immune system is weakened. The CDC and Mayo Clinic recommend managing this with your doctor and wellness team can help you live a healthy life as the goal would be to avoid liver failure and possible transplant. Those at risk may have a compromised immune system (i.e.: HIV+), hypodermic needle users (when sharing) and sharing bodily fluids (sexual activity). It can also be transmitted during the birthing process. These are just some of the common risks for this liver disease.
Hepatitis C is the most serious of these three types of hepatitis. The same people that are at risk for Hep B are also at risk for contracting Hep C. It is usually contracted through blood. Complications can include cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. It is imperative for those diagnosed with Hep C to follow doctor’s recommendations and lead a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Green Tea, the powerful go-to antioxidant for so many health related issues. Studies have shown that consuming green tea on a regular basis may help reduce the risk of liver disease, including hepatitis.
Milk Thistle is an herb that is associated with liver health. It is often recommended for those diagnosed with hepatitis as a way to manage inflammation in the liver.
NAC, or N-Acetyl-Cysteine, it commonly used to support healthy liver function. It has been shown in studies to help lower the mortality rate in those suffering from hepatitis induced from alcoholism, particularly when combined with traditional treatment.
Hepatox Hx can be a complimentary formula as it contains milk thistle, dandelion and phyllanthus amarus. In addition to the benefits of milk thistle, dandelion and phyllanthus amarus have been shown to lower the mortality rate for those with liver failure and also helping to suppress the effects of hepatitis.
As you can see, hepatitis comes in many forms and numerous ways it can be contracted. Those that have been infected with one type can be at higher risk for other types. For instance, if someone has had acute Hep A, they are at higher risk for Hep B or Hep C if they are ever exposed. Practicing good hygiene, a healthy lifestyle and taking care of the liver can be a key factor in avoiding or managing hepatitis. Honest communication and appropriate protection with any new partners you choose to be with is also important to help stop the spread of hepatitis. There are also vaccines available for further protection….ask your doctor for more information and if this is right for you. There is so much research and studies being done, and I included informative articles here for more information (see below).
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/abc/index.htm
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hepatitis
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8072198/
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a/symptoms-causes/syc-20367007
www.webmd.com/hepatitis/digestive-diseases-hepatitis-a
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20366821
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c/symptoms-causes/syc-20354278
www.webmd.com/hepatitis/digestive-diseases-hepatitis-c
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4538013/
www.hepb.org/blog/milk-thistle/
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1101214
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8063808/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9395786/
