Mesozeaxanthin, less well-known than lutein and zeaxanthin, is the most powerful antioxidant of the threesome, but the combined trio presents the most potent protection for the eye than any of the three carotenoids alone.¹  Out of all of the roughly 7000 carotenoids known in nature, it is these three that are found in great concentrations in the macula, the key part of the retina, responsible for central vision. Continue reading “Mesozeaxanthin: Star of Macular Carotenoids”

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle. It is typically taken at night before bedtime as a supplement. In addition to melatonin’s application as a sleep aid, this supplement can also be used for lowering eye pressure — such as in cases of open angle glaucoma or glaucoma suspects.  Research shows melatonin may also protect the eye’s macula by supporting the functioning of the mitochondria, the tiny “batteries” in each cell. Alzheimer’s disease appears to be linked to poor quality sleep and melatonin production; therefore, melatonin may prove to be a useful supplement and research is underway. Keep reading for details plus information about supplements available on this website.

What Can Melatonin Help?

Insomnia

Melatonin is best known for helping us get to sleep. It is secreted by the pineal gland, acting as the body’s biochemical signal of biological darkness. In other words, our bodies biochemistry signals that you are ready for sleep. Blue light suppresses production of melatonin ¹ to a surprisingly profound degree.²

If you are exposed to blue light right before bedtime (e.g. checking your email one more time), it throws off the internal rhythm that allows you to get adequate sleep. Nearly 75% of children now use some sort of electronic device in their bedroom. The use of these devices markedly impacts sleep quality, which in turn, contributes to social adjustment problems, behavioral problems in school and at home, and surprisingly, weight gain.

Similarly, it has been found that sleeping in a room that is not dark, also disrupts sleep, or makes it less effective in reducing fatigue and alleviating the accumulated stress of the day. Most studies found that exposure to light in the room, during sleep, reduces melatonin production by 50%.

While most research on the effects of smartphones on sleep and circadian rhythms have involved children and teens, adults are also adversely impacted. One Flemish study included more than 800 adults, 50% of whom owned smartphones, and 60% of whom used their smartphone during the night. Nighttime phone use and texting at night markedly increased how long it took to fall asleep and markedly decreased the quality, duration, and efficiency of sleep. In younger adults, nighttime electronic-device use was tied to more fatigue and later rising time. In older adults, it was associated with shorter sleep duration and earlier rise time.³

Recommended dosage is 1mg–3mg before bedtime.

Supports the Immune System

Melatonin plays a dual role in supporting the immune system, at least partially because it helps promote glutathione levels in the body, an essential master antioxidant.  It communicates with the immune system and influences white blood cells to fight infections and inflammation. Lowered levels of the super antioxidant glutathione⁴ are present in “clinical conditions like autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, diabetes, and microbial infections”⁵ which are characterized by white blood cells. In other words, melatonin protects white blood cells from free radicals by supporting normal glutathione levels.

Lowers Eye Pressure

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is usually lowest at night, which is also when natural levels of melatonin are near their high in the circadian cycle. IOP is highest in the morning when melatonin is low. There seems to be a correlation between IOP and melatonin; supplementing with melatonin may lower IOP. ^{6 7}

Protects the Macula

Melatonin also protects the macula, the center part of the retina which is responsible for your central vision needed for close-up work such as reading. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the loss of central vision and is caused by deterioration of the macula. A combination of melatonin (3mg), zinc (8.7mg), and selenium (50 mcg), taken before bedtime, helps stabilize AMD with some remarkable improvement in the fundus of the eye after taking the combination for 6 months. ^{8 9}

Supports Mitochondrial Functioning

A 2020 review proposed that melatonin protects the macula by supporting mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the “energy-producers” of cells, and are essential for cellular health. As we age DNA repair functions, antioxidant activity, and lack of mitochondrial renewal lead to significant increase in free radicals. These changes cause inflammation and premature cell death in the retinal pigmented cells that protect the retina and macula.¹⁰

Helps Night Vision

Photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells “mRGC”) release melanopsin which affects pupil dilation and adaption and suppresses melatonin¹¹ between dark and bright light (such as recovery after glare of an oncoming car headlights).

Melanopsin’s presence in retinal nerve cells is linked to reduced levels of melatonin and the relationship may be involved in poor night vision. At night, melatonin is secreted by rod and cone photoreceptors, functioning as a dark adaptive signal and it, in turn, modulates these photoreceptors.¹²

Aids Alzheimer’s Disease Issues

Melatonin may be a useful agent in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  Classic markers of AD include the build-up of beta amyloid plaque, as well as excessive tau protein resulting in neurofibrillary fiber build-up.¹³

The production of melatonin runs parallel to AD progression. Quality of sleep is dependent upon melatonin, and it appears to be a safe and effective treatment for AD patients with sleep dysfunction.¹⁴ Melatonin stimulates non amyloidogenic processing and inhibits beta amyloid precursor protein processing which culminates in amyloid aggregates – a neuroprotective function in AD pathology.¹⁵ It decreases AD-like tau hyperphosphorylation, protects the cholinergic system and is anti-inflammatory. It may be a useful agent in preventing and treating AD.¹⁶ Weak melatonin signaling (melatonin receptor type 1A gene) appears to contribute to the cascade of AD pathology.¹⁷

Recommended Products

NEW – Dr. Grossman’s REM Sleep Support (sublingual) Formula – great sublingual night-time formula with melatonin, and a range of other nutrients to promote a good night’s sleep.

ACG Glutathione EXTRA STRENGTH Spray 2oz. – 6-12 sprays by mouth 2 times per day.

Melatonin (50) MZS 60 x 3mg Tabs, Dr. Pierpaoli –  50 3mg tabs with zinc and selenium

Photophobia literally means “fear of light,” but it just means that you are overly sensitive to light.  Light sensitivity might be temporary, but it can be an indicator or symptom of another problem.

People with photophobia experience pain, tearing, and sometimes headaches especially when they are out in bright light too long.  A common summer example is too much light from the sun plus reflection off water when we are out in a boat.  You just want to close your eye from so much light, and later in the day or evening you may have a headache.

However, light sensitivity may be a chronic condition and therefore a symptom of another problem.

What causes photophobia?

Photosensitive retinal ganglion cells play a key role in light sensitivity.¹ There are at least two (possibly three) distinct neural pathways associated with photophobia: one is a messaging pathway involving the thyroid and calcium, and another is a pituitary gland neurotransmitting pathway.²

Recent research points to impaired light processing by the photoreceptors (cones and rods) which create the electrical impulse resulting in image perception, as well as non-image-forming neural pathways.  These light signals are sent to multiple regions of the brain that control not only the senses, but the autonomic nervous system and regulation of emotions.³

Excessive bright light we may encounter during a sunny summer day at the beach can cause eye pain, but photophobia can also be caused by dry eye syndrome, optic nerve swelling,⁴ corneal swelling (keratitis) or a scratch on the cornea, iris swelling (iritis), cataracts, conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharospasm,⁵  retinal damage, or post eye surgery.

Aside from eye conditions, photophobia can be caused by migraine headaches,⁶ tension headaches, cluster headaches, meningitis, brain trauma,⁷ and tumors in the brain or pituitary gland, as well as some medications including antibiotics, drugs that help your body get rid of excess fluid, and quinine (for malaria).

What can we do?

If light sensitivity is continuous and doesn’t go away with rest, then you should certainly see your eye doctor, and advise the doctor of your medications and any medical conditions.

In the meantime, always wear UVA/AVB 100% (polarized) protecting dark glasses outdoors which protect your retina from the damaging effects of UV / blue light. Get adequate exercise, drink plenty of water, and pay attention to your diet and nutrients.

Nutritional support

The first line of protection is carotenoids which support the macular pigment that protects the retina from UV and blue light-related damage.⁸

Dr. Grossman has assembled several packages for light sensitivity.  These will be especially helpful during the summer as you swim, sail, boat, hike, or picnic outdoors.

Light Sensitivity Package.  Contains Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula (whole food, organic, GMO free),  Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Formula (with the carotenoids mesozeaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin), as well as Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Formula (wild crafted herbs in tincture form).

Blue Light Protecting/Night Vision Package (2-month supply). This package contains our Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula, Astaxanthin (a potent antioxidant), and Black Currant Seed Oil (which supplies the fatty acid gamma linolenic acid).

What is the optic nerve and what does it do?

The optic nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that serves as the communication cable between your eyes and your brain. The nerve fibers have a special coating called myelin.

What are the most common eye diseases associated with impaired optic nerve?

Glaucoma is the most common optic nerve disease. Most cases of glaucoma are called “open angle glaucoma” where the intraocular pressure – IOP – is above normal. Normal eye pressure ranges from 12-22 mm/Hg for most people. Higher pressures can lead to damage to the optic nerve over time, resulting primarily in effecting peripheral vision. Glaucoma is often referred to as the “hidden thief” as there typically are no symptoms until the person suddenly realizes that their peripheral vision is reduced. Continue reading “Keeping Your Optic Nerve Healthy”

Computer users are concerned about their vision. When we recently searched online for “vision computer screen” the top four searches were:

1. 1. 1. Do computer screens affect eyesight?
      2. Can staring at a computer screen cause double vision?
      3. Is computer vision syndrome serious?
      4. How do you get rid of computer vision syndrome?

The answer to the first 3 questions: yes.  This article answers the 4th.

1. Do computer screens affect eyesight?

The short answer is yes, and there are more problems than “only” tired eyes and eye strain. Continue reading “Do Computer Screens Affect Eyesight?”

The structures in the back of the eye are supported by a complex array of capillaries and larger blood vessels. One reason why the body may try to grow new blood vessels (referred to as angiogenesis) is if these blood vessels are at all impaired, reducing the body’s ability to deliver blood, oxygen and essential nutrients to the back of the eyes, as well as effectively eliminate normal waste. Another reason may be lack of available essential nutrients for retinal and optic nerve support possibly due to a poor diet, lack of exercise, digestive issues or inflammatory conditions for example.

When any of the above occurs, over time, the body will try to compensate by growing new blood vessels in the back of the eyes. Unfortunately, the quality of these blood vessels is poor and therefore leak fluids into the retina, which is often treated conventionally with eye injections which may be essential, but no treatments are offered long time to try to address the underlying problem.

Diabetic Retinopathy and Wet Macular Degeneration are two examples of eye conditions that can lead to the growth of unwanted blood vessels. These vessels cause serious damage to vision. Macular Edema can lead to blood vessel leakage, which also harms the eye, particularly if not treated. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or has been diagnosed with an eye disease should work closely with their eye doctor on restoring their health. Additionally, Dr. Marc Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula can be added as a complementary component to help control unwanted blood vessels growth.

These herbs also have many other health and vision support benefits as well as described below.
Continue reading “Back in Stock! Dr. Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula”

We’re delighted to announce that a long-awaited, and long-in-the-planning new store is now online.  We’ve streamlined many functions, added others, improved the look, and made it easier to find categories of nutrients.

We’ve added a better search box and search engine, wish list, and express checkout. Continue reading “Our Store Got a Facelift!”

This is the 4th article in our series on the brain, memory, and dementia.  This article discusses the blood-brain barrier which protects the brain.

What is the Blood-Brain Barrier?

The blood-brain barrier prevents toxins and microorganisms from crossing from the blood stream into the tissue of the brain. At the same time, beneficial nutrients are capable of crossing this barrier. Generally, integrity of the blood-brain barrier is important and its compromise contributes to a number of neurodegenerative conditions.

Continue reading “The Blood-Brain Barrier”

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating fatal neurological condition that we’ve all heard or read about or have first-hand experience through our family connection. It is characterized by memory loss and abnormal behavior.

Amyloid beta plaque

This article discusses the role of amyloid beta plaque and the possibility of preventing or slowing its development. Formation of this plaque is the first event in the pathology of Alzheimer’s eventually resulting in nerve cell death.¹

Continue reading “Breaking Down Amyloid-Beta Plaque”

Deficiencies and conditions that can mimic Alzheimer’s Disease

We continue our series on brain health with this short discussion of nutrient deficiencies and a number of health issues which can cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s Disease. These should be checked for anyone showing signs of dementia.  And we should all pay attention to getting a balanced diet with enough of these important nutrients, supplementing if necessary. Continue reading “Is It Alzheimer’s or Something Else?”