Glaucoma Foods To Protect Your Retinal Ganglion Cells & Flavenoids

[valfrance]

Hi Beecalmed posted an article regarding protrudin and medical advancements on repairing cells. From that article I found this one here is the link... it is quite heavy reading however basically it gives advice on certain foods to protect your retinal ganglions. I have cut and paste certain simple information regarding what are flavenoids and how you can take them in your diet.

iovs.arvojournals.org/artic...

Flavonoids (Fig. 1)comprise a large family of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in fruits and vegetables and, therefore, regularly consumed in the human diet. 1 2 3 They are particularly abundant in beverages derived from plants such as tea, cocoa, and red wine. A number of physiologic benefits have been attributed to flavonoids, including protection from cardiovascular disease and cancer, and many of these effects are thought to stem from their potent antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties. Flavonoids have been shown to reduce the growth of malignant carcinomas and to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and they are thought to be responsible for the low rates of cancer and atherosclerosis in people who consume soy-based diets.

Several flavonoids particularly effective at protecting the RGCs from oxidative stress–induced death are found in relatively high quantities in specific fruits and vegetables. 26 For example, quercetin is abundant in yellow onions, kale, apples, and blueberries and is also found in red wine and tea. Studies with human volunteers have shown that a single meal of fried onions can significantly increase the plasma levels of quercetin, which is then slowly eliminated over the next 17 hours. 27 Thus, repeated intake of onions and other foods containing quercetin would lead to a build-up in the plasma concentration. In cattle, quercetin was also found to accumulate in the retina. 28 Taken together, our results suggest that the consumption of a diet rich in these fruits and vegetables could have beneficial effects on the eye in pathologic conditions and in normal aging.

In summary, working toward the long-term goal of identifying a neuroprotective compound that could be used clinically for the treatment of multiple retinal disorders, we have found that specific flavonoids can protect RGCs from oxidative stress–induced death with high levels of potency and low toxicity. These results have significant clinical potential because oxidative stress has been implicated in many types of ocular diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. Furthermore, compared with traditional antioxidants, flavonoids have unique advantages that make them especially attractive for clinical use. In particular, as we show, some flavonoids induce the expression of antioxidant proteins that can help protect cells from oxidative stress, thus potentially providing long-term protection of the eye.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Thank you for your interest and research that you are sharing. Only when robust trusted research as been done, will the the medical profession announce and accept certain supplements. These various supplements should be taken with caution, due to other effects it may have on the body and it is always best to check with your eye consultant to get their opinion, before taking them. I am aware at present that it isn't something we would endorse or give as advice. Further research needs to be done first.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Just to add that a healthy diet containing dark green leafy vegetables, for example, spinach, curly kale and broccoli, peppers and carrots are all foods that help keep a healthy retina.