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| Smile! |
It was a beautiful day yesterday, with abundant sunshine (of course: the weekend was over), but today the rains have returned with a vengeance. I walked to the bus in my raincoat and used my umbrella. Gene tells me that using an umbrella is a giveaway that I am not a native, and he's right. I see people here in Bellingham walking around in the rain with shorts and a t-shirt, with no apparent need for rain gear. I use everything I can to keep dry, but maybe one of these days...
After I saw that retina specialist last month, I started taking some different vitamins. Although I had been taking beta carotine and lutein for about a year, I have also added zeaxanthin to the mix. All three of these are carotinoids found in nature. Apparently lutein and zeaxanthin are essential to the retina. From that Wikipedia link:
Zeaxanthin is one of the two primary xanthophyll carotenoids contained within the retina of the eye. Within the central macula, zeaxanthin is the dominant component, whereas in the peripheral retina, lutein predominates.It wasn't all that easy to find zeaxanthin in a supplement in the proper ratio with lutein (five parts lutein to 1 part zeaxanthin), and I was taken in by a supplement that purported to have both but nowhere could I find the amounts before I ordered it. It's called "I-Caps" and is completely misleading. I finally found one formulation on Amazon that is sold at Costco (Trunature) that has the correct ratio (25/5) and was fairly inexpensive. I read all the reviews on Amazon and finally bought it.
The most interesting thing that I can relate after about a month of taking this formation is that my night vision is significantly better. I noticed a distinct difference after starting the beta carotine as well, so I'm hoping all this will help keep my intermediate age-related macular degeneration from developing further. There are no promises and no guarantees, because all the possible benefits from vitamins cannot be proven. I don't want to take any of the AREDS (age-related eye disease study) formulations because of the massive amounts of zinc (80 mg) included.
Anyway, the good news is that something I am taking seems to be helping with my vision. I feel quite pleased to be in the hands of a good specialist as well. It really helps when you trust your doctor.
:-)
Aye, that is the rub: trusting your doctor. Good luck with the new supplements. You would be wise to buy them from a reputable dealer.
ReplyDeletewow, amazed to hear you could already tell a difference after a month of supplements. so good to hear when things actually help (rather than just take your $). bless you.
ReplyDeleteand i loved the smiley face. bless your barista!
It is amazing DJan to hear of your progress after just one month.
ReplyDeleteI can just picture you and Leo playing vampire bats and gummy worms - now, there's a mixture. That's excellent about your night vision improving - besides, playing vampires, you will need good night vision.he,he Have a wonderful evening :)
nice...i am glad to hear it is helping...i may need that in the near future as my eyes seem to be struggling a bit...
ReplyDeletecool on the bats...and the smiley face...that is awesome...ha. spread the love.
It's raining in Portland as well. When I took the dog out I thought about those poor people in Moore, OK digging for their loved ones, pets, & possessions in the rain. God love 'em. Glad you're seeing some improvement in your vision. That's over the top exciting.
ReplyDeleteWith the way my hair frizzes - even with just humidity; never mind the rain - I'd use an umbrella too; even if I was a native!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that supplements are helping!
How neat that the supplements actually work, I seem to try so many things, and never see any difference.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a good day DJan, friends a'plenty, and smiley faces :)
~Jo
It's rainy over our way too!
ReplyDeleteLove that smiley face and it also made me smile to think of you and Leo playing vampires and gummy worms.
That is good news on the new supplement. I made a note of it and will look for it on Amazon. My night vision could use some help.
We are getting strong south east winds which means that your low pressure system will appear here in a couple of days and give us some substantial rainfall.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being so pro-active about your eye health.
ReplyDeleteI smiled picturing you playing with Leo.
I went for a walk this afternoon, without rain gear, because it was sunny, got hit by a rain shower from a big black cloud, got wet, and survived. fortunately it was a short shower, and then the sun came out and dried me off. :)
Here's to better sight and insight, DJan!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)
So glad that the meds are improving your vision...wonderful to read that!
ReplyDeleteAnd...you can't go wrong with vampire bats and gummy worms. You have a great pal in Leo...and he in you!
Love,
Jackie
Raining here too..I have never had a latte..but I did like the smiley face:) Good to hear you can report some improvement in your night vision! :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic that you are experiencing good results, DJan!
ReplyDeleteIt's been raining for four days straight here. Greening up at last! But saturated. :)
I am thrilled that you are getting better night vision. Long may it continue.
ReplyDeleteWe have rain promised, but I think it is another big fat fib. Sigh.
I'm glad that's helping your eyes! Hope it continues to improve. Love the smiley face. Made me smile as well. :)
ReplyDeleteTo quote Roger Miller,"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." Been too long since I have enjoyed a good walk in the rain. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteWay to go taking a proactive stance with your eyesight. I do believe we can make a difference and it seems you are. Good on.
I tend to eat tons of kale and carrots.
my mom always did tell me to eat carrots....don't they have Beat Carotene in them? Glad you noticed a difference in sight taking your supplements.
ReplyDeleteAs for rain...I too need no need for umbrella or rain gear [unless there is a camera involved] ---but you didn't ask that, now, did you. Secretly, I thought you wanted to know.
Good luck. My Dad had MD. I recently took one pill of green coffee bean extract. It was like speed. Horrible. I hope your herbs don't have any ill effects like that!
ReplyDeleteGreat that your night vision has improved. I'm glad you did the research and found a supplement that works for you.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great when you find something that works! Good luck with it for the future too. I love when you tell us about your visits to the cafe. It's great to belong to cafe culture isn't it!
ReplyDeleteLove your barista's little gift! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you have found something that helps. Vision is so important! I might have to read up on these supplements. Thanks! :)
How generous of Leo to share his bats and worms with you!!
ReplyDeleteWow... that's fantastic. I'm so impressed that you can notice a difference in such a short time. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the eye info. Have been taking Lutein for years, but have never heard of the other compound. Now I'm on a search.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is good news to hear that your night vision has improved. I love how you have done your research and am happy to learn that you found the right supplements at the correct levels.
ReplyDeletevampires and gummy worms and a latte!!
ReplyDeleteyou know how to live it up
I'm glad the supplements are helping
hugs from me and Hope
Dear DJan, a dear friend of mine who lives in Minnesota is trying to find out what to take for macular degeneration in her eyes. I've sent her the URL for this posting in the hope that it will help. Thank you for sharing this with us. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI've got dry eyes and probably age related stuff going on in my eyes. Sigh... I'm so glad you've found something that could be working. I'll just bet there's a Chinese herb that actually could help.
ReplyDelete