World may be forced to go vegetarian by 2050, scientists say

By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo! News | The Lookout – Mon, Aug 27, 201

Cattle drink from a water tank in Tallula, Ill., Aug. 3, 2012. (Seth Perlman/AP)

By the year 2050, you may be forced to become a vegetarian. That is, if Sweden's water scientists are to be believed.

According to the Stockholm International Water Institute, "There will not be enough water available on current croplands to produce food for the expected 9 billion population in 2050 if we follow current trends and changes towards diets common in western nations."

Humans now derive about 20 percent of their daily protein intake from animal-based products, reports London's Guardian. But a new report published by the institute says the world's population will have to cut that figure to 5 percent by 2050 to accommodate the planet's "considerable regional water deficits."

Why not just produce more food?

"Nine hundred million people already go hungry and 2 billion people are malnourished in spite of the fact that per capita food production continues to increase," the report said. "With 70% of all available water being in agriculture, growing more food to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2050 will place greater pressure on available water and land."

[Slideshow: Haunting images of the U.S. drought crisis]

So vegetarianism, the scientists say, is one option to combat the water shortage.

"A move towards vegetarian diets could help free up large portions of arable land to human food production," Orion Jones wrote on BigThink.com. "A third of current farmland is used to grow crops that feed animals. Additionally 'animal protein-rich food consumes five to 10 times more water than a vegetarian diet.'"

The report was released for the start of "Water Week" and the annual world water conference in Stockholm. And while the forecast may sound dire, the world's water situation is already grave.

According to the World Water Council, 1.1 billion people now live without clean drinking water.

[Drought diaries: How no water, extreme heat are hurting Americans]

And the United States is experiencing its worst drought in a generation, punishing farmers and burning up the nation's corn crop. On July 31, nearly 65 percent of the nation was experiencing drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The drought's been so severe and water levels so low, Midwestern towns that were intentionally submerged decades ago are starting to surface.

10 Self-Checks Women Should Do Every Morning

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/10-self-checks-women-every-morning-154500309.html

New prostate cancer study clouds PSA debate

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/new-prostate-cancer-study-clouds-psa-debate

8 Ingredients You Never Want to See on Your Nutrition Label

By David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
Aug 23, 2012

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The year was 1950, and The Magic 8-Ball had just arrived in stores. It looked like a toy, but it wasn't. It was a future-telling device, powered by the unknown superpowers that lived inside its cheap plastic shell. Despite a bit of an attitude—"Don't count on it," "My reply is no"—it was a huge success. Americans, apparently, want to see their futures.
A few decades later, Congress passed the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act that, among other things, turned the 45,000 food products in the average supermarket into fortune-telling devices. Americans inexplicably yawned. I'm trying to change that. Why? The nutrition label can predict the future size of your pants and health care bills.
Unfortunately, these labels aren't as clear and direct as the Magic 8-Ball. Consider the list of ingredients: The Food and Drug Administration has approved more than 3,000 additives, most of which you've never heard of. But the truth is, you don't have to know them all. You just need to be able to parse out the bad stuff. Do that and you'll have a pretty good idea how your future will shape up—whether you'll end up overweight and unhealthy or turn out to be fit, happy, and energized.
While researching the new Eat This, Not That! 2013: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution, I identified 8 ingredients you never want to see on the nutrition label. Should you put down products that contain them? As the Magic 8-Ball would say: Signs point to yes.

BHA

This preservative is used to prevent rancidity in foods that contain oils. Unfortunately, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) has been shown to cause cancer in rats, mice, and hamsters. The reason the FDA hasn’t banned it is largely technical—the cancers all occurred in the rodents’ forestomachs, an organ that humans don’t have. Nevertheless, the study, published in the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research, concluded that BHA was “reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen,” and as far as I’m concerned, that’s reason enough to eliminate it from your diet.
You’ll find it in: Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles

Parabens

 These synthetic preservatives are used to inhibit mold and yeast in food. The problem is parabens may also disrupt your body’s hormonal balance. A study in Food Chemical Toxicology found that daily ingestion decreased sperm and testosterone production in rats, and parabens have been found present in breast cancer tissues.
You’ll find it in: Baskin-Robbins sundaes

Partially Hydrogenated Oil

 I’ve harped on this before, but it bears repeating: Don’t confuse “0 g trans fat” with being trans fat-free. The FDA allows products to claim zero grams of trans fat as long as they have less than half a gram per serving. That means they can have 0.49 grams per serving and still be labeled a no-trans-fat food. Considering that two grams is the absolute most you ought to consume in a day, those fractions can quickly add up. The telltale sign that your snack is soiled with the stuff? Look for partially hydrogenated oil on the ingredient statement. If it’s anywhere on there, then you’re ingesting artery-clogging trans fat.
You’ll find it in: Long John Silver’s Popcorn Shrimp, Celeste frozen pizzas
FIGHT FAT WITH FAT! Some fats, like trans fat, will pad you with extra pounds, but other types can help you shed unwanted weight. See for yourself—pick up these 5 Fatty Foods that Make You Skinny today!

Sodium Nitrite

 Nitrites and nitrates are used to inhibit botulism-causing bacteria and to maintain processed meats’ pink hues, which is why the FDA allows their use. Unfortunately, once ingested, nitrite can fuse with amino acids (of which meat is a prime source) to form nitrosamines, powerful carcinogenic compounds. Ascorbic and erythorbic acids—essentially vitamin C—have been shown to decrease the risk, and most manufacturers now add one or both to their products, which has helped. Still, the best way to reduce risk is to limit your intake.
You’ll find it in: Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Hormel bacon

Caramel Coloring

This additive wouldn't be dangerous if you made it the old-fashioned way—with water and sugar, on top of a stove. But the food industry follows a different recipe: They treat sugar with ammonia, which can produce some nasty carcinogens. How carcinogenic are these compounds? A Center for Science in the Public Interest report asserted that the high levels of caramel color found in soda account for roughly 15,000 cancers in the U.S. annually. Another good reason to scrap soft drinks? They’re among The 20 Worst Drinks in America.
You’ll find it in: Coke/Diet Coke, Pepsi/Diet Pepsi

Castoreum

 Castoreum is one of the many nebulous “natural ingredients” used to flavor food. Though it isn’t harmful, it is unsettling. Castoreum is a substance made from beavers’ castor sacs, or anal scent glands. These glands produce potent secretions that help the animals mark their territory in the wild. In the food industry, however, 1,000 pounds of the unsavory ingredient are used annually to imbue foods—usually vanilla or raspberry flavored—with a distinctive, musky flavor.
You’ll find it in: Potentially any food containing “natural ingredients”

Food Dyes

Plenty of fruit-flavored candies and sugary cereals don’t contain a single gram of produce, but instead rely on artificial dyes and flavorings to suggest a relationship with nature. Not only do these dyes allow manufacturers to mask the drab colors of heavily processed foods, but certain hues have been linked to more serious ailments. A Journal of Pediatrics study linked Yellow 5 to hyperactivity in children, Canadian researchers found Yellow 6 and Red 40 to be contaminated with known carcinogens, and Red 3 is known to cause tumors. The bottom line? Avoid artificial dyes as much as possible.
You’ll find it in: Lucky Charms, Skittles, Jell-O
THE DOMINO EFFECT: Sugar doesn’t just come in the form of cookies and candy. Discover the insidious ways it can creep into your diet with 9 Sneaky Sources of Sugar.

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

 Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, used as a flavor enhancer, is plant protein that has been chemically broken down into amino acids. One of these acids, glutamic acid, can release free glutamate. When this glutamate joins with free sodium in your body, they form monosodium glutamate (MSG), an additive known to cause adverse reactions—headaches, nausea, and weakness, among others—in sensitive individuals. When MSG is added to products directly, the FDA requires manufacturers to disclose its inclusion on the ingredient statement. But when it occurs as a byproduct of hydrolyzed protein, the FDA allows it to go unrecognized.

You’ll find it in: Knorr Noodle Sides, Funyuns

FIGHT FAT EVERY DAY: Knowledge is your best defense in the battle against flab. To keep up with the latest calorie-cutting research, sign up for the FREE Eat This, Not That newsletter! and be sure to follow me right here on Twitter.
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Hidratos de carbono: los cuatro peores que el pan

La fuerza de voluntad no es suficiente para controlar los ataques de ansiedad por comer hidratos de carbono. ¡Conoce cómo curar el “Cerebro de Gordo!

 

La miel, los jugos y las bebidas deportivas son los peores hidratos de carbono. Su mayor contenido de fructosa daña la comunicación en el estómago e incluso después de comer el mensaje de llenura no viaja al cerebro.

Por Dr. Salomón Jakubowicz

Acabo de atender a una paciente orgullosa por haber reemplazado el pan y los refrescos por cereales con miel, yogur y una bebida deportiva hidratante. Al ver que mis ojos se abrían con horror, rápidamente agregó que no le añadía azúcar. Mi cara no mejoró y le mostré una tabla con los hidratos de carbono que más engordan.

Cuáles hidratos de carbono comer
Ella había sustituido el azúcar del pan por el peor de todos, el que más engorda. El azúcar del pan, del arroz y de la papa puede ser utilizado por los músculos, pero la fructosa, al igual que el alcohol, tiene que pasar primero por el hígado, donde provoca la causa hormonal más frecuente de sobrepeso: resistencia a la insulina.

Los peores hidratos de carbono
La miel, los jugos y las bebidas deportivas son los peores hidratos de carbono. Su mayor contenido de fructosa daña la comunicación en el estómago e incluso después de comer el mensaje de llenura no viaja al cerebro.
La miel y las bebidas deportivas tienen más fructosa que un refresco, no tienen vitaminas, fibra ni proteínas, simplemente son comida chatarra. Peor aún, los helados de yogur son hechos con la grasa de la leche, ocho cucharadas de azúcar y el contenido de nutrientes es nulo.
Pero, su error más grave fue creer que los cereales le ayudarían a adelgazar. La cantidad de azúcar en los cereales es demasiado alta.
Al extraer el jugo de la fruta se obtiene agua con azúcar, las vitaminas y la fibra permanecen en la fruta. Un vaso de jugo natural tiene diez cucharadas.
Comer frutas es muy diferente a tomar jugo. Los nutrientes de las frutas se encuentran en la piel, especialmente en la pera, la manzana, la naranja y la uva. Además, para preparar un jugo se exprimen de cuatro a seis naranjas pero al comerlas con una o dos ya estamos satisfechos.

¿Las frutas tienen azúcar?
Los jugos de frutas son bebidas azucaras, al igual que un refresco. En cambio, la fruta entera tiene vitaminas y fibra. (Jannette: lo que sigue es una tabla, que dividí por filas para cuando la pase).

355 mililitros	Bebida carbonatada de cola	Jugo de naranja	Jugo de manzana	Jugo de cereza	Jugo de uvas
Hidratos de carbono totales	40 g	39 g	42 g	49.5 g	60 g
Hidratos de carbono de azúcar	40 g	33 g	39 g	37.5 g	58.5 g
Azúcar (cucharaditas)	10	8	10	9	15
Calorías	160	165	156	210	240

Sugerencias
La venta de bebidas azucaradas, como jugos y refrescos, debería ser limitada para los mayores de 16 años. Hace solo 50 años los médicos recomendaban fumar y los primeros estudios sobre los peligros del tabaco fueron ignorados. Nuestros hijos verán con asombro como tomábamos jugos sin control.
Al salir de mi consultorio, la paciente no dejaba de leer mi lista de hidratos de carbono. Por fin había entendido cuáles eran los buenos y por qué no había podido adelgazar. Unos días más tarde me llamó para solicitarme información sobre el arroz. Le dije que era un placer ser su médico y que publicaría esta lista.

Lista de hidratos de carbono
Hidratos de carbono	Característica	Consecuencias principales
Granola, avena y yuca	Suben MUCHO el azúcar.	Causan resistencia a la insulina.
Trigo (pan, cereales, pasta)	Disminuyen la leptina.	Aumenta la ansiedad. / Empeoran los síntomas de la diabetes.
Maíz (galletas, arepa, cereales)	Aumentan la insulina.	Causa de infertilidad, caída del cabello e hirsutismo.
Frutas (jugos) y miel	Fructosa	Aumentan de la grasa abdominal.
Arroz, papa, azúcar	Sube la ghrelina.	Causa de fibromialgia.
Granos (caraotas, lentejas, frijoles)	Rico en fibra.	Bueno para el estreñimiento.
Alcohol	Frena el metabolismo.	Aumenta el apetito / Causa insomnio y apnea del sueño.

Síntomas de exceso de hidratos de carbono en mujeres

• Aumento de la grasa del abdomen

• Cansancio y fibromialgia

• Caída del cabello de raíz grasosa

• Hirsutismo (vellos) y acné

• Ansiedad por comer en las tardes

Síntomas del exceso de hidratos de carbono en hombres

• Aumento de la grasa del abdomen

• Ronquidos al dormir (apnea del sueño)

Ácido úrico

• Hígado graso

• Verruguitas en el cuello y en las axilas

Muchos pacientes intentan adelgazar sin apoyo de un médico. Por eso he preparado este Test Hormonal para ayudarte a descubrir la causa de tu sobrepeso.

• ¿Cómo evitar que los hidratos de carbono engorden?

• ¿Cómo controlar los ataques de ansiedad por hidratos de carbono?

La mayoría de las personas con sobrepeso no engordan por comer más. Muchas despiertan sin apetito y no les provoca desayunar, llegan al almuerzo todavía sin hambre, pero en la tarde la ansiedad por comer hidratos de carbono es incontrolable. Esto es lo que se conoce como “Cerebro de Gordo”.

La fuerza de voluntad no es suficiente para controlar los ataques de ansiedad por comer hidratos de carbono. Debido a la importancia del desayuno para curar el Cerebro de Gordo, aquí tienes las opciones que les doy a mis pacientes.

• Probar un cuadrito de chocolate, sin terminar comiéndolo completo es una hazaña que casi nadie puede lograr. Solo quien ha sentido ansiedad sabe lo difícil que es controlarla.

• Hasta hace poco, las dietas para adelgazar no estaban diseñadas para controlar el apetito y por eso no funcionaban. Los especialistas recomendaban comer poco, pero, recientemente se ha descubierto que algunos alimentos son mejores para disminuir el hambre y que un postre en el desayuno disminuye el deseo de comerlo en la tarde.

• Nadie puede dejar de comer los alimentos que más le gustan porque comer es uno de los placeres más importantes de la vida.

La importancia del hidrato de carbono favorito en el desayuno

• Un chocolate oscuro en el desayuno tiene efecto antidepresivo. En cambio, al comerlo en la noche es fácil convertirse en adicto.

• Si algún día te provoca una pizza en la tarde, debes comprarla y guardarla para la mañana del día siguiente.

• En el desayuno, es obligatorio comer tu hidrato de carbono favorito (arroz, pasta, chocolate, torta o cualquier otro) para que no te provoque en la tarde. Aunque a esa hora no te provoque, debes incluir tu comida favorita en el desayuno.

• La dieta se termina cuando ya el pan integral y los cereales cansan. En cambio, si tu desayuno incluye un chocolate es más probable que sonrías. Tu estilo de vida para adelgazar debe satisfacer tus deseos. De hecho, comer es un placer.

Recomendación

Después de comer las proteínas del desayuno, es importante comer un solo hidrato de carbono. Cualquier hidrato de carbono, pero no varios.

Consecuencias del Cerebro de Gordo
Síntoma	Hormonas	Recomendación
No sentir hambre en la mañana.	Todas	Desayunar aun sin hambre.
Ansiedad por comer hidratos de carbono en la tarde.	Insulina	Desayuna alimentos ricos en proteínas.
Grasa abdominal	Metabolismo lento	Desayuna hasta estar más que satisfecho.
Insomnio	Endorfinas y serotonina	No ingerir alimentos por ansiedad en la noche.
Dolores musculares de la fibromialgia	Cortisol	Nunca hacer ejercicios en ayunas.
Triglicéridos y colesterol alto	Insulina	Evitar desayunar solo azúcar (jugos, cereales).
Hígado graso	Insulina	Evitar los hidratos de carbono en exceso.
Ácido úrico alto	Adrenalina	Evita “autodevorarte” los músculos.
Estrías, flacidez y artrosis	Colágeno	Desayunar proteínas al levantarte (máximo: 60 minutos).

Recomendaciones médicas

• Desayuna hasta estar más que satisfecho.

• Si tienes ansiedad en la tarde significa que desayunaste pocas proteínas.

• Desayuna al levantarte (antes de que pasen 60 minutos).

Según publicado en el blog del doctor Salomón Jakubowicz. Para más información, accede http://www.niunadietamas.com/.

Effects of Mirtogenol in lowering intraocular pressure

Clin Ophthalmol. 2010; 4: 471–476.

Published online 2010 May 14.

PMCID: PMC2874276

Mirtogenol^® potentiates latanoprost in lowering intraocular pressure and improves ocular blood flow in asymptomatic subjects

Robert D Steigerwalt, Jr,¹ Gianni Belcaro,¹ Paolo Morazzoni,² Ezio Bombardelli,² Carolina Burki,³ and Frank Schönlau⁴

Author information ► Article notes ► Copyright and License information ►

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Abstract

Purpose:

The dietary supplement Mirtogenol^® was previously shown to lower elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). We here present the effects of this supplement on IOP in comparison as well as in combination with latanoprost eye drops.

Methods:

Seventy-nine patients with asymptomatic ocular hypertension were randomly assigned to three groups receiving either the supplement, or latanoprost eye drops, or both in combination. Intraocular pressure and retinal blood flow were investigated in monthly intervals over 24 weeks.

Results:

Mirtogenol alone lowered IOP from baseline 38.1 to 29.0 mmHg after 16 weeks, with little further improvement during the following eight weeks. Latanoprost rapidly lowered IOP from baseline 37.7 to 27.2 mmHg within four weeks, without further effects thereafter. The combination of the supplement and latanoprost lowered IOP from 38.0 to 27.3 mmHg after four weeks, and further decreased IOP to 24.2 mmHg after six weeks. After 24 weeks IOP with the combination treatment (23.0 mmHg) was significantly lower than with latanoprost alone (27.2 mmHg). Mirtogenol and latanoprost individually showed comparable effects for gradually increasing central artery blood flow with treatment duration. Combination treatment showed higher systolic blood flow velocity throughout the trial period. The diastolic blood flow velocity gradually increased with treatment duration in all three groups. From twelve weeks onwards, the diastolic component with combination treatment was higher than with individual treatments.

Conclusions:

Mirtogenol lowered elevated IOP in patients almost as effectively as latanoprost, however, it takes much longer (24 vs 4 weeks). The combination of both was more effective for lowering IOP and the combination yielded better retinal blood flow. No serious side effects occurred during the study, apart from standard side effects in patients related to Latanoprost. These promising results warrant further research of Mirtogenol with a larger patient group.

Keywords: intraocular pressure, latanoprost, mirtogenol, pycnogenol, nutrition

Go to:

Introduction

Dietary supplementation with Mirtogenol^®: a combination of two phenolic extracts from bilberry (Mirtoselect^®) (standardized to 36% anthocyanins; USP 31) and French maritime pine bark (Pycnogenol^®) (standardized to 70% procyanidins; USP 31), has previously been demonstrated to improve intraocular pressure (IOP) in asymptomatic patients.1 In this previous open, controlled, exploratory pilot trial a significant improvement of ocular blood flow was found after three-month intake of Mirtogenol. The lowered IOP coincided with a significant ocular blood flow improvement of patients and thus the effect on IOP was attributed to this effect. Both Mirtoselect and Pycnogenol have previously been extensively researched in ophthalmology for treatment of diabetic retinopathy.2–4 These studies pointed to a control of capillary leakage and decreased retinal bleedings.

Endothelial dysfunction and vascular structural changes are considered as major contributing factors to altered hemodynamics, elevated IOP, and, eventually, open-angle glaucoma.5 Pycnogenol was shown in human pharmacologic studies to improve endothelial function.6 Mirtoselect was shown to counteract hyperpermeability of ciliary capillaries, initiated by paracentesis, as measured by the Evans Blue concentration in the aqueous humor.7 The initial study on Mirtogenol suggested a significantly increased ocular blood flow and this effect was suggested to be predominantly responsible for the decreased IOP.1

The rationale for the study presented here was to find out how the intake of the dietary supplement affects IOP in patients taking standard eye drop treatment with latanoprost. Since prostaglandin F_2α analogs decrease IOP by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor, while Mirtogenol is assumed to act on humor secretion, the possibility exists of an additive and/or synergistic interaction between these two principles. In this study we investigated IOP and ocular hemodynamics in asymptomatic patients presenting with ocular hypertension. They were assigned to three groups for receiving either latanoprost, Mirtogenol, or both, over an investigational period covering 24 weeks.

Go to:

Methods

Participants for this study were recruited from patients with ocular hypertension diagnosed by ophthalmologists who were sent for a general cardiovascular check-up to the University Hospital of Chieti-Pescara.

Subjects presenting with any cardiovascular diseases requiring medical treatment, and those who had had surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the last three months were excluded. None of the patients was hypertensive. Subjects who were pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning conception were excluded as well.

Seventy-nine subjects presenting with diagnosed intraocular hypertension (≥35 and ≤40 mmHg) were recruited for this investigation. All subjects had complete eye exams, showing no signs of primary open-angle glaucoma. Their cup-to-disk ratio was lower than 0.5, they had a central corneal thickness greater than 555 μm, and no visual field defects. Subjects with any degenerative eye disorder were excluded. The general cardiovascular examination ensured that patients had no systemic diseases.

All subjects were informed about the aim of the investigation and treatment procedure, according to the Declaration of Helsinki, and gave their written informed consent for participation in this investigation.

Patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive latanoprost, Mirtogenol, or both simultaneously, as detailed in Table 1. Patients in this study had ocular hypertension in absence of symptoms. The dietary supplement was previously demonstrated to significantly lower elevated IOP. Nonetheless, it was considered a necessity that a patient’s IOP should improve substantially in response to treatment with the dietary supplement within a given time period of two months. In any case where their IOP did not respond, they were to be given latanoprost in addition. Under these conditions the ethical committee of the University of Chieti Pescara approved the study.

Table 1

Details of patients in the three investigational groups

Mirtogenol was taken as one tablet in the morning. The tablet contained, as active ingredient, 80 mg Mirtoselect^® standardized bilberry extract (Indena, Milan, Italy).8 This Vaccinium myrtillus L extract is composed of flavonoids, and standardized to contain 36% anthocyanins, with conformance to the USP 31 on ‘Powdered Bilberry Extract’. Mirtogenol tablets further contain 40 mg French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol (Horphag Research, London, UK),9 which consists of flavan-3-ols standardized to 70% ± 5% procyanidins with conformance to the USP 31 on “Maritime Pine Extract”.6,7 Xalatan^® (Pharmacia, Pfizer) was taken one drop per eye daily, equivalent to 1.5 μg latanoprost, in the evening.

The intraocular pressure was always measured in the morning between 9 and 10 a.m. The patient was seated before a slit lamp and Goldmann’s contact applanation tonometer was used. The IOP measurements of a given patient were always performed by the same person to rule out variations from one investigator to another. No drugs were used within two hours before measurements. The patient had been resting, sitting for at least 20 minutes, avoiding ‘rush’ measurements made as soon as the patients arrived into the clinic. The patients had been briefed with the procedures and were familiar with the measurement environment. At each visit the IOP was measured in triplicate, with 10-minute intermissions between measurements, and mean values were recorded.

High resolution color Doppler imaging (Esaote, Genoa, Italy) was used to measure the peak systolic flow velocity, and the end diastolic flow velocity of the central retinal artery, as previously described.10

Data are presented as mean values with standard deviation. Since the distribution of the IOP and the central retinal artery blood flow were not normally distributed, and no standard data was available for these patients, a group of at least 15 subjects in each group was considered a minimal requirement. One-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements followed by post hoc Bonferroni tests was used for the intragroup comparisons. A value of P < 0.05 was used as the criterion for statistical significance.

Go to:

Results

The three groups of subjects were comparable for age:details are presented in Table I. The baseline IOP values were comparable with 37.7 ± 2.0 mmHg in the latanoprost group, 38.1 ± 2.0 mmHg in the Mirtogenol group and 38.0 ± 3.1 mmHg in the group receiving both treatments. None of the patients had been taking latanoprost, or other eye drops for IOP, directly prior to this investigation. The vast majority of the patients had taken latanoprost in the past, but had discontinued at least one month prior to participation in this trial (wash-out period). None of the recruited patients had cataract and there were no cases of pseudophakic eyes present.

For the safety of the patients taking the supplement only, it was planned to give them latanoprost in addition, should their IOP not show satisfactory signs of improvement during the two months. After four weeks of treatment with Mirtogenol a nonsignificant decrease to 34.1 ± 4.0 mmHg was found. After six weeks’ intake of the dietary supplement the IOP decreased significantly compared to baseline, to value 33.3 ± 5.0 mmHg (P < 0.05). As there were no nonresponders, none of the patients treated with the supplement only were transferred to the group taking latanoprost in combination treatment.

Latanoprost showed a significantly faster and more pronounced lowering of IOP than in the group taking Mirtogenol (Figure 1). Latanoprost had already significantly lowered IOP after four weeks to 27.2 ± 0.9 mmHg (P < 0.05 compared to baseline values). At all time points after trial start the IOP in the latanoprost group was significantly lower than in the group taking the dietary supplement (P <0.05).

Figure 1

The development of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the three groups receiving Mirtogenol, latanoprost or both, respectively, over the investigational period of 24 weeks. Mirtogenol significantly decreased IOP compared to baseline after six weeks and all (more ...)

After six weeks of treatment, the combination of latanoprost eye drops together with the dietary supplement decreased the IOP values better than latanoprost alone, or the supplement alone. The IOP values of patients on combination treatment were significantly lower than those of the two groups having individual treatment, at time points 16, 20 and 24 weeks, respectively (P < 0.05).

At baseline the blood flow velocity of the central retinal artery in the latanoprost group was slightly, but nonsignificantly, higher than in the two other groups. In all groups the diastolic and systolic components of the blood flow velocities increased gradually with treatment duration as detailed in Tables 2 and ​and3.3. The supplement and latanoprost contribute in a comparable fashion to improve the central retinal artery blood flow. Only after six weeks was the systolic blood flow velocity in the Mirtogenol group higher than in the latanoprost group. However, the combination of Mirtogenol and latanoprost yielded a better blood flow than both medications taken individually. The diastolic blood flow with the combination treatment was higher than with individual treatments from 16 weeks onwards (P <0.05).

Table 2

The development of the diastolic blood flow velocity in response to treatment, measured using high resolution color duplex ultrasonography

Table 3

The development of the systolic blood flow velocity in response to treatment as established employing high resolution color duplex ultrasonography

Both treatments were well-tolerated with minor transient side-effects resulting from latanoprost. In the latanoprost group, three subjects reported temporary blurred vision, and one patient presented with eyelid redness. In the group treated with latanoprost eye drops in addition to Mirtogenol, two subjects reported blurred vision, and another two suffered conjunctival hyperemia. It is impossible to identify which treatment regimen accounted for these minor side effects, but they are typical for latanoprost.11 In the group taking Mirtogenol alone no side effects occurred. None of the patients in this trial discontinued participation before completion.

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Discussion

This study has confirmed the IOP-lowering activity of Mirtogenol, finding a significant activity in dosages lower than those previously reported.1 A vis-à-vis response evaluation was not possible because of differences in the baseline IOP values of patients in the two studies (39 mmHg versus 25 mmHg as mean values), but the higher Mirtogenol dose in the previous study had a faster effect.1 As expected latanoprost relieved ocular hypertension much more rapidly than the dietary supplement. The activity of latanoprost had already reached maximum effect by the time of the four week measurement, and thereafter no further decrease of IOP could be observed. Latanoprost is well described for the rapidity of its effect on IOP, with significant activity detectable within as little as eight hours after a single dose.12 The combined treatment with latanoprost and the supplement significantly decreased IOP after four weeks, an effect predominantly attributed to latanoprost. Interestingly, after six weeks, and at all later time points, the IOP was lower in subjects receiving the combination treatment than in the group taking the eye drops exclusively. After 16 weeks, the IOP values were significantly lower with the combination treatment than with latanoprost alone (P < 0.05).

Comparison of the individual IOP-lowering effects of the supplement and latanoprost with the combination treatment suggests additive affects, not synergistic activities. The additive effects of the supplement and latanoprost point to different pharmacologic activities involved for lowering IOP. Latanoprost has been extensively investigated for its pharmacologic activities.13 The prostaglandin F_2α analogues (PGF_2α) enhance drainage of aqueous humor, predominantly via the uveoscleral outflow pathway, though significant effects on the trabecular outflow facility have also been reported. The PGF_2α are suggested to stimulate remodeling of the extracellular matrix of the ciliary muscle and sclera.

We speculate that the effect of the combination of Mirtoselect and Pycnogenol predominantly affects vascular responses involved in ocular hypertension by normalising capillary filtration of the ciliary body. Pharmacologic studies have demonstrated that Mirtoselect counteracts the hyperpermeability of ciliary capillaries, initiated by paracentesis, as measured by the Evans Blue concentration in the aqueous humor.7,14 Pycnogenol was shown to improve endothelial function6 and to lower blood pressure in asymptomatic hypertension.15 The improved ocular blood flow shown in this study supports the assumption that the dietary supplement may exert an action on lowering IOP by decreasing humor inflow. Yet, it will remain difficult to identify whether the supplement affects outflow pathways, or aqueous humor inflow, or both.

There is growing evidence that decreased endothelial function is the primary cause of age-related deterioration of ocular hemodynamics leading to glaucoma.5 In this study, an improved blood flow velocity of the central retinal artery was again shown for the supplement, but also found in the latanoprost group. Interestingly, this effect could be demonstrated earlier in the supplement group than in the latanoprost group. After six weeks’ treatment, the systolic blood flow rate was significantly higher with the supplement than with the eye drops. A measurable, yet nonsignificant, increase of central retinal blood flow was described for latanoprost in normotensive glaucoma patients after one month of treatment.16 However, the authors argue that the improved ocular hemodynamics may be secondary to the reduction of intraocular pressure. This might explain the increased blood flow velocity in this study, for patients treated with latanoprost. Indeed, the same explanation might underlie the improved hemodynamics observed with the supplement, and with its combination with latanoprost. Our study has a limitation resulting from the use of color Doppler imaging (CDI). As it is impossible to determine the diameter of orbital vessels in vivo, CDI cannot reflect the blood volume. However, other groups have described a correlation between blood flow velocity and vascular blood volume.17 Further research will be required to draw conclusions about the pharmacologic activities of Mirtogenol as a single agent, as well as in combination with latanoprost.

A major advantage of the investigated dietary supplement may be the safe, nutritional approach for preventing the development of ocular hypertension. This, in turn, would decrease the risk of having primary open angle glaucoma later in life.18 Latanoprost and related prostaglandin F_2α represent a valuable tool to treat intraocular hypertension, and inhibit its progression to glaucoma, but are unsuitable as preventative agents, as latanoprost was shown to decrease IOP below physiological levels.19 Furthermore, apart from irreversible iris pigmentation and abnormal growth and darkening of eyelashes, latanoprost seems to have also less-common but more-serious side-effects, like the induction of iris cysts, cystoid macular edema and anterior uveitis.10 Conversely, serious side-effects have never been reported for Mirtoselect^® and Pycnogenol^®, despite their decades-old use in ophthalmology, predominantly for diabetic retinopathy.2–4 While the supplement does not represent a replacement for prostaglandin F_2α analogs, taking the supplement in addition, appears to be safe, and may further contribute to the attainment of healthier IOP values.

The results obtained from this, and the previous pilot trial, with the dietary supplement Mirtogenol on IOP, appear to be very promising. A much larger study with a significant number of patients should further assess the benefits of the supplement for controlling IOP.

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Acknowledgments/Disclosures

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work. All subjects were informed about the aim of the investigation and treatment procedure, according to the Declaration of Helsinki, and gave their written informed consent for participation in this investigation. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the University of Chieti-Pescara. This study was supported by a grant from Indena S.p.A. Italy and Horphag Research UK Ltd.

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References

1. Steigerwalt RD, Belcaro G, Paolo M, Bombardelli E, Burki C, Schönlau F. Effects of Mirtogenol on ocular blood flow and intraocular hypertension in asymptomatic subjects. Mol Vis. 2008;14:1288–1292. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

2. Schönlau F, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol^® for diabetic retinopathy. A review. Int Ophthal. 2002;24:161–171.

3. Perossini M, Guidi G, Chiellini S, Siravo D. Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy therapy with Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides (Tegens^®): Double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Ottal Clin Ocul. 1987;113:1173–1190.

4. Repossi P, Malagola R, De Cadilhac C. The role of anthocyanosides on vascular permeability in diabetic retinopathy. Ann Ottal Clin Ocul. 1987;113:357–361.

5. Ehrlich R, Kheradiya NS, Winston DM, Moore DB, Wirostko B, Harris A. Age-related ocular vascular changes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2009;247:583–591. [PubMed]

6. Nishioka K, Hidaka T, Takemoto H, et al. Pycnogenol^®, French maritime pine bark extract, augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans. Hypertens Res. 2007;30:775–780. [PubMed]

7. Virno M, Pecori Giraldi J, Auriemma L. Antocianosidi di mirtillo e permeabilità dei vasi del corpo ciliare. Boll Ocul. 1986;65:789–795.

8. Cassinese C, de Combarieu E, Falzoni M, Fuzzati N, Pace R, Sardone N. New liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection for analysis of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in Vaccinium myrtillus fruit dry extracts and commercial preparations. J AOAC Int. 2007;90:911–919. [PubMed]

9. Rohdewald P. A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2002;40:158–168. [PubMed]

10. Steigerwalt RD, Jr, Laurora G, Belcaro GV, et al. Ocular and retrobulbar blood flow in ocular hypertensives treated with topical timolol, betaxolol and carteolol. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2001;17:537–544. [PubMed]

11. Alm A, Grierson I, Shields MB. Side-effects associated with prostaglandin analog therapy. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008;53(Suppl 1):S93–105. [PubMed]

12. Akarsu C, Bilgili YK, Taner P, Unal B, Ergin A. Short-term effect of latanoprost on ocular circulation in ocular hypertension. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2004;32:373–377. [PubMed]

13. Toris CB, Gabelt BT, Kaufman PL. Update on the mechanism of action of topical prostaglandins for intraocular pressure reduction. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008;53(Suppl 1):S107–120. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

14. Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E. Vaccinium myrtillus L. Fitoterapia. 1996;67:3–29.

15. Hosseini S, Lee J, Sepulveda RT, Fagan T, Rohdewald P, Watson RR. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, prospective, 16 week crossover study to determine the role of Pycnogenol^® in modifying blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients. Nutr Res. 2001;21:67–76.

16. Zeitz O, Matthiessen ET, Reuss J, et al. Effects of glaucoma drugs on ocular hemodynamics in normal tension glaucoma: a randomized trial comparing bimatoprost and latanoprost with dorzolamide. BMC Ophthalmol. 2005;5:6. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

17. Taylor GA, Short BL, Walker LK, et al. Intracranial blood flow: quantification with duplex Doppler and color Doppler flow US. Radiology. 1990;176:231. [PubMed]

18. Coleman AL, Miglior S. Risk factors for glaucoma onset and progression. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008;53(Suppl 1):S3–S10. [PubMed]

19. Kjellgren D, Douglas G, Mikelberg FS, Drance SM, Alm A. The short-time effect of latanoprost on the intraocular pressure in normal pressure glaucoma. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 1995;73:233–236. [PubMed]

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Articles from Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N

Clin Ophthalmol. 2010 May 14;4:471-6.

Mirtogenol potentiates latanoprost in lowering intraocular pressure and improves ocular blood flow in asymptomatic subjects.

Steigerwalt RD Jr, Belcaro G, Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E, Burki C, Schönlau F.

Source

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, San Valentino, Italy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The dietary supplement Mirtogenol((R)) was previously shown to lower elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). We here present the effects of this supplement on IOP in comparison as well as in combination with latanoprost eye drops.

METHODS:

Seventy-nine patients with asymptomatic ocular hypertension were randomly assigned to three groups receiving either the supplement, or latanoprost eye drops, or both in combination. Intraocular pressure and retinal blood flow were investigated in monthly intervals over 24 weeks.

RESULTS:

Mirtogenol alone lowered IOP from baseline 38.1 to 29.0 mmHg after 16 weeks, with little further improvement during the following eight weeks. Latanoprost rapidly lowered IOP from baseline 37.7 to 27.2 mmHg within four weeks, without further effects thereafter. The combination of the supplement and latanoprost lowered IOP from 38.0 to 27.3 mmHg after four weeks, and further decreased IOP to 24.2 mmHg after six weeks. After 24 weeks IOP with the combination treatment (23.0 mmHg) was significantly lower than with latanoprost alone (27.2 mmHg). Mirtogenol and latanoprost individually showed comparable effects for gradually increasing central artery blood flow with treatment duration. Combination treatment showed higher systolic blood flow velocity throughout the trial period. The diastolic blood flow velocity gradually increased with treatment duration in all three groups. From twelve weeks onwards, the diastolic component with combination treatment was higher than with individual treatments.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mirtogenol lowered elevated IOP in patients almost as effectively as latanoprost, however, it takes much longer (24 vs 4 weeks). The combination of both was more effective for lowering IOP and the combination yielded better retinal blood flow. No serious side effects occurred during the study, apart from standard side effects in patients related to Latanoprost. These promising results warrant further research of Mirtogenol with a larger patient group.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874276/pubmed/20505841

What is it in coconut water that may have an effect on cataracts?

Coconut water for health and healing

By NELLY FAVIS-VILLAFUERTE

July 17, 2009, 4:41pm

Remember the American nutritionist and naturopathic doctor who once said: “Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth.” His name is Dr. Bruce Fife, considered the world’s leading expert on coconut and health. His book Coconut Cures has been selling fast and brisk especially in 2005-2006 when our very own virgin coconut oil starting gaining international recognition as a health food.

Last year, 2008, Dr. Bruce Fife came out with another book on coconut entitled “Coconut Water for health and healing,” now available in major bookstores in Metro Manila and in the provinces including outlets of National Bookstore, Fully Booked, and Power Bookstore.

I have been drinking coconut water/juice every morning for the past 3 years or so but it was only after reading Dr. Bruce Fife’s book that I came to know about the awesome health benefits of coconut water. Yes, coconut water does not only possess anti-aging properties but fight cancer, helps balance blood sugar, reduces risk of heart disease, aids in kidney functions and dissolves kidney stones and wards off other diseases as well as it enhances our immunity system.

Let me share with you an interesting story narrated in the book Coconut Water for health and healing:
“More recently I ran across an interesting incident which dramatically illustrates the potential benefit coconut water may have in treating cataract.

“We discovered this by accident while on a cruise ship (years ago). A few of us were on an island day trip and wanted to get off the beaten tourist’s path so we hired a bus and driver to take us to the opposite side of the island (only 10 of us on that big bus). A man and his wife were taking the cruise as a sort last hoorah before her scheduled cataract surgery, we later found out. Anyway, there was a beautiful beach with coconuts laying everywhere and we got thirsty, but there was no drinking water. So we decided to open up some coconut to quench our dry throats. We found a local with a big machete and through sign language we convinced him to open coconuts for us. The woman with the cataracts got splashed in one eye by the coconut juice, and it burned a bit. We were all digging through everything we had for something to relieve her eye ‘injury.’ All we came up with was one moist washcloth. Her husband wiped her eye and placed the washcloth over it. About 10 minutes later she announced we should head back to the ship. We did. The next morning at breakfast she said that her eye was much better and that she could see very well. We examined her eye closely and could not see any signs of the cataract, which was quite obvious the day before. She said she wished she had gotten splashed in both eyes. Then the idea dawned on us to ‘splash’ her other eye. We did that very day as soon as we got ashore and also repeated the other eye too. This time we were prepared. We went to the local market, grabbed a coconut, opened it, and strained it through a washcloth into a plastic cup, dribbled the juice into both eyes, placed a warm washcloth over both eyes, waited 10 minutes, and the rest is history. She went to her MD upon returning stateside – no cataracts and no surgery!

“What is it in coconut water that may have an effect on cataracts?

Coconut water contains antioxidants as well as magnesium, potassium and other minerals and enzymes which may un-denature or relax the lens proteins, allowing them to realign and become transparent again. I suspect that for this procedure to work as well as reported, fresh coconut water is needed.

“Coconut water may be an ideal eyewash or eye drop solution. If it can heal the damage caused by cataract, it may have other beneficial effects on eye health as well. Using it regularly may be an excellent way to prevent cataract, glaucoma, and perhaps other eye problems.”

It is indeed a pleasant surprise to know that it is a non-Asian in the person of Dr. Bruce Fife who is passionately promoting the health benefits of coconut – supporting his statements with testimonials of people who were taking coconut products and have been cured of their ailments. Citations of medical studies and researches also support his claim regarding the benefits of coconut products in our health and well-being

Have You Tried Coconut Water Yet? This Fluid of Life Offers a Long List of Clinically Proven Health Benefits!

Posted December 30, 2010.

Coconut water, also known as the “fluid of life,” is the nutrient-dense and mineral-rich sap found in the center of a coconut!
The coconut is the fruit or seed of the coconut palm tree and contains a liquid that people in many regions of the world have deemed nutritious and even therapeutic.
The coconut is unique in that it has essential minerals and ocean trace minerals naturally available in its sap.
Most farmland is over-used and deficient in dietary minerals. The vegetables and fruit generated on this land simply do not have the essential chemical elements that our bodies require. Because the coconut palm prefers soil that has a moderately high degree of salinity, it is generally found along the tropics. Its affinity for the shoreline means that this generous seed can provide us with both essential dietary minerals and many trace minerals. ⁽¹⁾
The rich mineral profile of coconut water has made it a popular sports drink.
Coconut water contains a high amount of potassium, chlorides, calcium, and magnesium. These are essential minerals that our body needs for certain functions, such as metabolism, and they also serve as electrolytes. Because of this, coconut water can replace the valuable electrolytes that are lost during vigorous physical activity.
Coconut water is also a popular hangover cure. Alcohol inhibits antidiuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin) and therefore prompts the body to eliminate more fluid than it otherwise would. This can result in slight dehydration, and coconut water immediately restores electrolytes lost from alcohol consumption.

Recent research has shown that coconut water is just as effective as commercial electrolyte solutions.

In tropical areas, it has been reported that 5 million children die every year due to diarrhea and subsequent dehydration. The mineral profile of coconut water is so similar to human plasma, that doctors have actually injected it intravenously to prevent dehydration. ⁽²⁾
Inside an unopened coconut, the water is sterile and free of any bacteria, fungus, or parasite. It can be safely injected directly into the bloodstream without harming the blood cells and is non-allergenic. This was a common practice in WWII and during Vietnam, when intravenous solution was in short supply. A patient can safely receive as much as one quarter to one third of the patient’s body weight in coconut water intravenously. ⁽³⁾

Throw away your Viagra - enjoy a glass of coconut water.

Anecdotes from Thailand and the Pacific Islands give coconut water the reputation of a potent tonic that enhances libido and virility in both men and women. Coconut water from young, green coconuts has the mosttonifying properties, rather than those that are mature, which are identifiable by the coarse brown husk on the exterior.
In the Philippines, buko juice has effective clinical applications.
Coconut water has clinically been found to dissolve kidney stones. This treatment is especially popular in the Philippines, where coconut water is known as buko juice. According to Dr. Makalalag, coconut water can be injected directly into the urethral catheters in order to dissolve or reduce the size of a stone. Patients may also drink the juice 2 – 3 times a week and still receive therapeutic value. Dr. Makalalag reports that of 1,670 patients who have had chronic reoccurrence of kidney stones within a ten-year period, only 13% continued producing kidney stones when on “buko therapy.” And of that 13%, all patients passed small and relatively painless stones. ⁽⁴⁾
Here in the US, some patients who suffer from chronic kidney stones take pharmaceutical grade potassium citrate to prevent the kidney stones from forming. The high amount of naturally occurring potassium in coconut water acts in a similar way to potassium citrate in inhibiting the formation of kidney stones.
Coconut water can also treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is related to elevated pressure in the eye, which eventually damages small blood vessels and the optic nerve. Presently, the most common way to treat glaucoma is with medicated eye drops that block adrenaline-like substances and reduce the production of aqueous humor. As with any drug that blocks an essential chemical pathway, there are many serious side-effects associated with this form of medication. Oral ingestion of coconut water offers a natural and harmless way to treat glaucoma that also benefits the body in other ways. The effect of coconut water on glaucoma lasts for about 2.5 hours. ⁽⁵⁾

The best coconut water is fresh.

Water from young, green coconuts is regarded as superior in both taste and quality. Coconut water has been shown to act as an antioxidant, protecting hemoglobin in the blood from nitrate-induced oxidation. Its antioxidant value is diminished when the coconut water is treated with heat or processed. (6)

Want all of these health benefits and more? Try Body Ecology Coconut Water - the ONLY fresh-frozen organic coconut water on the market - to quench your thirst and give your body the essential minerals it needs each day.

If your local grocer does not carry organic young coconuts or if you need a convenient source of high quality coconut water, Body Ecology offers organic, raw coconut water from young, green coconuts.

• This coconut water has never been pasteurized.
• The coconuts are hand-picked when they are still immature and at the height of their flavor, ensuring that you receive the best quality and best tasting coconut water possible.
• The coconut water is extracted and frozen within 2 days of harvest. It remains frozen until it reaches you or your local grocer.

WHAT TO REMEMBER MOST FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Not only is coconut water delicious, but it is rich in nutrients and minerals to provide a number of therapeutic benefits. Coconut water is unique because it contains essential minerals in its sap, and it is also full of necessary electrolytes to prevent dehydration and enhance sports performance. Coconut water is completely sterile and can be taken intravenously to treat dehydration, and it is also often used as a natural treatment for a low libido. Additionally, coconut water has been proven to dissolve kidney stones and even treat glaucoma without any of the side effects of conventional medications. To receive all of these health benefits and more, make sure that you enjoy water from young, green, coconuts that are fresh-frozen within two days of harvest, like our new Body Ecology Coconut Water!

REFERENCE

1. Fife, Bruce. Coconut Cures. Colorado Springs: Picadilly Books, 2005.
2. Ludan, A.C. “Modified Coconut Water for Oral Rehydration.” Phillip J Pediatric: 1980; 29 (5).
3. Recio, P. M. “The Intravenous Use of Coconut Water.” Phillip J Pediatric: 1974; 30 (30).
4. Makalalag, E. V. “Bukolysis: Young Coconut Water Renoclysis for Urinary Stone Dissoulution.” Internal Surgery: 1987; 72 (4).
5. Poblete, G. S., et al. “The Effect of Coconut Water on Intraocular Pressure of Normal Subjects.” Phillip J Opthal: 1999; 24 (1)
6. Mantena, S. K., et al. “In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Cocos nucifrea.” Nahrung: 2003; 47 (2).