Cataracts

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This article is interesting, but It should not be looked on as a cure, but part

of a program to help wih cataracts.

 

 

 

http://hfn-usa.com/articles/030306.html

 

March 6, 2003Smart PublicationsHealth & Wellness Update Dear Friends,

Cataracts-the leading cause of blindness in the world-affects nearly 20.5

million Americans . and is the most common surgical procedure for elderly

Americans.But you can get an " age-related " cataract when you're in your 40s or

50s, and cataracts worsen over time . so it's never too late-or early-to try to

prevent them and/or treat them. Learn about an important new discovery in the

treatment and prevention of cataracts in this week's Smart Publications Health &

Wellness Update.In good health,John MorgenthalerNAC eye drops: An important new

discovery in the treatment and prevention of cataractsIndividuals with cataracts

often end up having surgery. But just as any surgery is not without risk, about

2% of the 1.35 million (or approximately 27,000 individuals), just in the US

each year, develop serious complications, including retinal detachments, corneal

edema, and the need for a cornea transplant. Fear and discomfort, not to

mention future potential problems from an artificial lens, contribute to the

overall unpleasantness that accompanies this surgery.An alternative to surgeryA

new form of carnosine-n-acetylcarnosine, abbreviated as NAC-is now available in

the form of eye drops, and has been shown to slowly reverse existing cataracts

and prevent new ones from forming. NAC was developed because it is much more

stable and effective than regular carnosine when used as eye drops. (Note: This

is not the same thing as n-acetylcysteine, which is also sometimes abbreviated

to NAC.)NAC has shown a significant clinical success rate for patients within

3-12 months of treatment. The eye-drops are also being used to help treat

glaucoma, but the research for that disease is not published yet. Human trialsA

long-term study observed the changes in lens clarity over a 6 to 24 month period

for 49 volunteers. The average age of the participants was 65 and all suffered

from senile cataract ranging from minimal to advanced opacification (clouding of

the lens).The patients received either a 1% solution of NAC eye-drops or a

placebo, as 2-drops twice a day in each eye. The patients were then evaluated

at 2- and 6-month periods. The tests consisted of ophthalmoscopy (glare test),

stereo-cinematagraphic (slit-image) and retro-illumination (photography). A

computerized digital analysis then displayed the light scattering and absorbing

effects of the centers of each lens.Here is the outcome after 6 months:* 88.9%

of the patients who were treated with NAC had an improvement of glare

sensitivity (lowest individual score was a 27% improvement, all the way up to a

100% improvement)* 41.5% had a significant improvement in the light transmission

of the lens* most importantly; 90% showed an improvement in visual acuity* The

patients in the placebo group exhibited little change in eye quality at 6-months

and a gradual, significant deterioration at 12 to 24 months.Continued

improvementThis study also showed that at 24-months the NAC treated group, (who

already had significant improvement to the quality of their eyesight), sustained

these results with continued use of the NAC eye-drops. There were no

significant side effects noted in any cases throughout the 2-year

period.1Another study evaluated two groups of 49 patients (with the average age

being 65), who had advanced symptoms of cataract. After a 24-month course of

treatment, the group that was treated with the eye drops had a cumulative

positive change when compared with the group that did not receive the

eye-drops.2How does NAC work?The body is made up largely of proteins. As we

age, proteins tend to undergo destructive changes due largely to oxidation and

interactions with sugars and aldehydes. These interrelated protein

modifications include oxidation, carbonylation, cross-linking, glycation and

advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation. These processes contribute to

the aging process. More specifically, cataracts are formed by the glycation of

proteins. Glycation occurs when proteins react with sugars and form advanced

glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs physically alter proteins, DNA and lipids,

changing their chemical properties. The result of this reaction leads to the

discoloration of the eye lens to yellow and brown, which consequently results in

the impairment of vision. Studies show that carnosine is effective against all

these forms of protein modification.When the NAC eye drops are administered,

carnosine competes for the glycating agent on the molecule, and protects

cellular structures against aldehydes. Therefore, it is believed that carnosine

can slow and help to prevent proteins from cross-linking and becoming a

cataract, and break existing cross-links, too.NAC acts as an antioxidant Once in

the eye, NAC was shown to act as an antioxidant and enter the lens tissue, and

to be particularly effective against potent free radicals, especially the

superoxide and the hydroxyl. It is therefore presumed that the antioxidant role

of L-carnosine (within the aqueous humor) is a major factor in slowing and

preventing the appearance of cataract. It is also believed that NAC may help in

the treatment of eye disorders other than cataracts, that are the result of

oxidative stress, including: glaucoma, retinal degeneration, corneal disorders,

ocular inflammation, complications of diabetes mellitus, and systemic

diseases.3NAC appears to act as a universal antioxidant, both in the lipid phase

of the cellular lens membranes, and in the aqueous environment. It also

protects the crystalline lens from oxidative stress-induced, cross-linking

damage. How much should you use?NAC eye-drops appear to be a unique and safe

treatment for cataracts, and offer an exciting new solution to the way that

cataracts are controlled. The studies used two drops in each eye twice daily

continuously for a 24-month period. But since there is no data on a

" preventative " dosage there's no way of knowing if 1 drop twice daily works as

well as 2 drops twice daily. What we do know is that the maximal effect of

improvement of visual acuity is obtained within the first 3-5 months of

treatment. Then the goal is to maintain that outcome.NAC as a preventative

against cataractsPlease keep in mind that NAC is no miracle. Yet, approximately

half the people studied showed dramatic improvements . and almost all of them

experienced an improvement in their vision, and a stabilization of their

cataracts. It's quite possible that using NAC eye drops more often than twice a

day is more effective, but no studies have been done to indicate that. Studies

done to date have only examined the effects of NAC in patients who have existing

cataracts, with impressive results. However, NAC's unique protective mechanism

most likely means that using NAC before the development of eye problems, as a

preventative, will provide useful protection from age-related eye disorders.* As

a preventative: Use 1 drop of NAC eye drops once daily * For existing cataracts:

Use 2 drops twice daily.* Then, after cataracts have been reduced to an

acceptable level, use a maintenance dose of one drop twice

daily.ConclusionCataracts are a widespread age-related affliction. In the US

alone, Medicare estimates the annual cost at $3.5 billion for the 1.35 million

cataract operations performed annually. Considering the high cost of undergoing

cataract surgery, and the low cost and low risk of using NAC eye drops, it makes

sense to give this a try before doing something as dramatic and invasive as

surgery. References:1. Babizhayev MA, Deyev AI, Yermakova VN, Semiletov YA,

Davydova NG, Doroshenko VS, Zhukotskii AV, Goldman IM. Efficacy of

N-acetylcarnosine in the treatment of cataracts. Drugs R D

2002;3(2):87-103http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=Pu\

bMed & list_uids=12001824 & dopt=Abstract 2. Babizhayev MA, Deyev AI, Yermakova VN,

Semiletov YA, Davydova NG, Kurysheva NI, Zhukotskii AV, Goldman IM.

N-Acetylcarnosine, a natural histidine-containing dipeptide, as a potent

ophthalmic drug in treatment of human cataracts. Peptides 2001 Jun;22(6):979-94

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

1390029 & dopt=Abstract 3. Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Semiletov YA, Deyev AI.

The natural histidine-containing dipeptide N-alpha-acetylcarnosine as an

antioxidant for ophthalmic use.Biochemistry (Mosc) 2000 May;65(5):588-98

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

0851037 & dopt=Abstract

 

 

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