Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

High blood pressure in the eye, known as ocular hypertension, can lead to glaucoma and vision loss. The condition occurs when the amount of oxygen and nutrient-rich fluid circulated through the eye exceeds the amount that is drained.

Oculular hypertension is considered anything above normal eye pressure which ranges from 10-21 mmHg. Approximately 10% of U.S. adults are known to suffer from this condition.

A study was published in the May 2010 issue of the journal Clinical Opthalmology which found that a supplement called Mirtogenol may help people with ocular hypertension increase blood flow to the eye.

Mirtogenol is a combination of Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract, and bilberry extract. It is packed with beneficial bioflavonoids (which are also found in fruits and vegetables) and has been associated with a number of health benefits.

For the study the researchers recruited 79 patients with ocular hypertension and no signs of glaucoma or vision loss.

The participants were randomly divided into three groups and received treatments of prescription eye drop medication Latanoprost, Mirtogenol tablets, or a combination of both.

The researchers found that participants taking Mirtogenol had a reduction in pressure from 38.1 to 29.0 mmHg, whereas in those taking Latanoprost the intraocular pressure decreased from 37.7 to 27.2 mmHg. In the group who took a combination of Mirtogenol and Latanoprost, the intraocular pressure decreased from 38.0 to 23.0 mmHg.

The researchers noted that other studies have reported that the bilberry extract may counteract the increased permeability of blood capillaries. Moreover, the pine bark extract may improve the lining of blood vessels and lower overall blood pressure, said the researchers.

Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

An extremely large study analyzing over 2 million people in Britain recently found that cholesterol lowering statin drugs may cause kidney failure.

Researchers from Nottingham University conducted the study which was published in the May 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal.

The researchers studied data on over 2 million patients from 368 general practices for the study. The participants were aged between 30 and 84 years of age and 225,922 (11%) of them were on statin medications such as Lipitor or Crestor.

The researchers found that for every 10,000 people treated with statins, there were 74 extra patients with liver dysfunction, 23 extra patients with acute renal failure, 307 with cataracts, and 39 with a muscle weakness condition called myopathy.

On the other hand, there were 271 fewer cases of heart disease for every 10,000 statin users and 8 fewer cases of esophageal cancer.

The researchers noted that all drugs have possible side effects so it is important to weigh the benefits versus the potential risks when deciding on a medication.

There are also ways to decrease cholesterol without statin drugs. Numerous studies have shown that consuming more omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants and foods with less sugar and saturated fats, along with increasing exercise levels, can effectively reduce cholesterol levels in most people.

Sarah McGowan-Freije, NatureCity author & contributor

Post menopausal women may significantly reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by consuming more lignans according to a large meta-analysis published in the May 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Lignans are a type of plant polyphenol abundant in flax seeds, whole grain foods, berries, fruits and vegetables. They are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens which are estrogen-like chemicals that act as antioxidants inside the body.

For the meta-analysis researchers from the German Cancer Research Center analyzed over 20 studies on lignans.

They found that postmenopausal women with the highest intakes of lignans had a 14% reduced risk of developing breast cancer.

They also found that lignans may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and even help you avoid hair loss as you age.

Another study published in the April 2010 issue of Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety found that lignans may offer protection against breast, prostate, colon and skin cancers. It also found that the soluble fiber contained in lignans may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Flaxseed has by far the highest lignan content of any food but you can also get more lignans in your diet through sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, broccoli and kale.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

A new study on probiotics furthers the research demonstrating their ability to reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The results of the study were presented at the yearly Digestive Disease Week Conference held in New Orleans the week of May 1st 2010.

IBS is a disorder in which the bowel does not work correctly, resulting in cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. It is not known exactly how many people suffer from IBS in the United States because people with more mild symptoms often do not consult a doctor. However, estimates are in the range of 20-30 million.

Researchers from the Rouen University Hospital in France recruited 214 people with IBS for the study.

Half of the participants were given a daily supplement containing 10 billion colony forming units of probiotics for a period of 4 weeks. The rest of the participants were given a placebo.

At the end of the study, the researchers observed a significant reduction in the symptoms of IBS among the participants given the probiotic supplement. These reductions were especially prominent with regard to abdominal pain and bloating.

This study builds on the findings of previous studies that probiotics can aid digestion. Other studies have also found that probiotics may boost the immune system and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Maintaining healthy levels of these friendly bacteria is especially important for people over 60 because as you age the levels of probiotics in your gut tend to decrease.

You can get more probiotics by eating certain foods such as yogurt, milk and sauerkraut. For many people, taking a high quality supplement is an easier approach. If you choose this option, be sure it is packaged to block light, air and moisture which can easily kill probiotics.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Including more pistachios in your diet may help improve heart health according to a study to be published in the June 2010 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University recruited 10 males and 18 females between 35 and 61 years of age for the study. All of the participants were healthy and non-smoking with slightly elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The participants consumed a typical western diet for the first two weeks of the study as a baseline diet. They were then randomly split into three groups for four weeks.

All three groups were given a lower-fat control diet. The first group consumed the control diet without pistachios, the second group added one serving of pistachios daily (3 ounces daily) and the final group added two servings of pistachios daily (6 ounces daily).

At the end of the 4 weeks the researchers observed among the participants with the pistachio diets. They also saw increases in blood levels of beneficial antioxidants.

Previous studies have found a similar association and researchers say the mechanism behind these results is likely associated with lower levels of something called Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD). SCD is an enzyme that is involved in the body’s synthesis of fatty acids. Increased levels of this enzyme have been associated with increased body fat, diabetes risk and high cholesterol.

Pistachios also have high levels of protein, fiber and antioxidants and they have been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration (age related vision loss). To maximize the benefits of pistachios and nuts in general, it is important to avoid salted, oil-roasted nuts.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for more than 60% of late life cognitive function disorders. According to numerous experts, rates of this debilitating disease are expected to increase dramatically over the next decade.

For this reason, a number of researchers have been conducting studies to find more ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s through changing dietary and lifestyle patterns.

One such study was recently published in the April 2010 issue of the journal Alzheimer’s Disease.

For the study, researchers with the Sweden Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics recruited 232 individuals over 80 years of age with no signs of dementia.

The participants were followed for 6 years and during that time were given frequent tests in order to detect dementia and Alzheimer’s. The researchers also measured plasma levels of 8 different forms of vitamin E at the beginning of the trial and at the end of the trial.

By the end of the six year study the researchers observed a significant reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s among participants with the highest levels of vitamin E. Researchers attribute these results to the vitamin’s strong antioxidant properties, which help prevent oxidative damage to brain cells.

Vitamin E can be found in a number of foods, but only in small quantities. For this reason, many people do not get enough vitamin E daily and could benefit from a supplement. The best supplements have vitamin E in the natural form (the synthetic version is about half as effective) and liquid supplements are usually best.

Other than Vitamin E, there are a number of ways to decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s including:

• Eating a brain-healthy diet such as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.

• Keeping your mind active by attending social events or solving puzzles.

• Sleeping regularly and restfully

• Learning to relax

• Doing moderate intensity exercises like walking, biking or yoga 3 times a week

Sarah McGowan-Freije, NatureCity author & contributor

University of Michigan researchers recently conducted two studies to determine if cherry juice would significantly reduce inflammation in key areas like the heart and belly that affect heart disease risk.

The results of the studies were presented at the Experimental Biology annual meeting on April 27, 2010.

For the first study, the researchers fed obese rats a typical Western diet high in fats and moderate in carbs that was enriched with a cherry powder that accounted for 1 percent of the diet. The rats consumed the diet for 90 days.

At the end of the study the researchers observed a reduction in a number of risk factors for heart disease including cholesterol, body weight, fat mass and numerous markers of inflammation.

The second study was conducted on humans. For this study, 10 overweight or obese adults drank 4 ounces of tart cherry juice every day for 4 weeks.

After the 4 weeks, markers for inflammation and triglyceride levels were reduced significantly.

These two studies are the latest in a series that have shown that the antioxidants in cherries, called anthocyanins, can be effective at reducing body wide chronic inflammation.

Cherries have among the highest amounts of antioxidants compared to other fruits. They have also been linked to lower risks of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes.

Chronic inflammation gets more and more common as you age, making it even more important to consume foods high in protective nutrients and antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables.

Chronic inflammation can lead to a large number of health issues including heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, type-2 diabetes and arthritis.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

A recent study found that cheese with added probiotics may help your immune system stay strong as you age by improving levels of good bacteria in your gut.

Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland conducted the study which was published in the May 2010 issue of the journal FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology.

21 male and 10 female volunteers between 72 and 103 years of age were recruited for the study. The participants ate one slice of either a probiotic Gouda cheese or a placebo cheese containing no probiotics with their breakfast for four weeks.

The researchers measured a number of different markers of immune system function and found that the probiotic cheese significantly enhanced immune system function.

The researchers say that these findings may help mature adults tackle the age-related deterioration of the immune system known as immunosenescene. This deterioration can cause infectious diseases, chronic inflammation and cancer.

Probiotics have also been shown to improve digestion, reduce the risk of chronic disease and even help you avoid the flu. These benefits are especially apparent among people over the age of 60 because the level of good bacteria in your gut tends to decrease as you age.

Consuming more yogurt and cultured milk products is one way to increase probiotic levels. You can also try incorporating a quality probiotic supplement into your diet. Make sure the supplement contains several probiotic strains and is packaged to block light, air, and moisture, which can easily kill probiotics.

Evan Watson, NatureCity author & contributor

Daily recommended intakes of vitamin D for older adults need to be increased according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Writing in the May 2010 issue of the journal Osteoporosis International, the foundation stated that the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency globally among mature adults is causing widespread health problems.

A large body of research supports this claim and has demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of muscle weakness, falling and suffering a fracture.

Currently the daily recommendations for vitamin D are 400 IU. According to the Foundation, mature adults actually need to consume at least 800-1000 IU daily.

For people that have osteoporosis, limited sun exposure or are obese the daily value should be closer to 2000 IU.

Even Oprah Winfrey has spoken up about this subject, telling her viewers that the average mature adult should lean towards the 2000 IU daily mark.

The researchers noted that higher levels can easily be achieved through supplementation. You can also get your daily dose of vitamin D through sunlight, however supplements are usually the best option because as you age your skin becomes less efficient at synthesizing the vitamin.

Beyond keeping bones healthy, vitamin D is also important for maintaining your mood, keeping your immune system strong and reducing blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Scott Greenberg, NatureCity author & contributor

A series of studies released last week show that antacids may have serious side effects including increasing the risk of fractures and bacterial infections.

The studies were published in the May 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The first study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle. Over the course of 8 years, the Washington researchers studied 161,806 post-menopausal women between 50-79 years of age.

At the end of the study the researchers observed a significantly greater risk of fractures among women taking antacids, especially fractures of the wrist and spine.

The second study was conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School who analyzed over 100,000 patients discharged from hospitals over a 5 year period.

They found a 74% increase in the risk of developing a common and potentially fatal type of diarrhea called Clostridium difficile among people taking antacids daily.

The researchers noted that these findings should not encourage people to completely cut antacid use but if you take antacids you should be aware of the potential side effects.

If you suffer from indigestion, there are also some alternatives to taking antacids. For instance, garlic, onions and whole grains all contain probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that help aid digestion. You can also get probiotics in supplement form.