Dr. Bob was a MD internal medicine, orthomolecular doctor, MD psychiatrist, chiropractor, and healer 65 years.  He was a diabetic who lived to 108 years with only 1 side effect 2 years before he passed away.  Dr. Bob practiced a system of medicine called orthomolecular medicine.  It is a system of medicine that uses mainly natural substances that are non-toxic and safe in wide range of doses.  It uses mainly herbs and minerals/vitamins. 

There are many problems of the eyes such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, increasing fluid build up, and other problems.  Dr. Bob advised several orthomolecular ideas to help.  You can learn about many of these ideas by reading, "Vitamin B6 Therapy," by John M. Ellis, MD.   

1.      For macular damage consider supplementing 300-500 mg daily of vitamin B6 in divided doses.  One of the problems of macular degeneration is improper buildup of body fluids in the eyes.    Vitamin B6 controls cell membrane permeability, which controls fluid in and out of cells.  Dr. Bob found that macular degeneration could be helped by vitamin B6 at appropriate doses.  John M Ellis MD lists some studies and clinical observations about the idea of using B6 for many of the problems that can happen to the eyes.

2.     Consider supplementing lutein.  Lutein helps protect the eyes by reducing oxidative stress to the eyes.  Oxidative stress needs to be neutralized to decrease or stop potential damage and lutein can neutralize oxidative stress.

3.     Consider supplementing N-acetyl-cysteine (N-A-C) to help neutralize free radicals in the eyes.  Free radicals, by the preponderance of evidence, are believed by many scientists to be the major cause of damage and aging in the body.  N-A-C can help neutralize free radicals in the eyes.  N-A-C is an amino acid that an orthomolecular doctor can help you choose the appropriate dose.  Not everyone can supplement high levels of N-A-C without resulting in potential other problems.  The highest dose Dr. Bob advised without the help of a nutritional specialist was 250-mg daily and preferably a sustained release form.

4.     Consider supplementing bilberry 250 mg daily, 1-3 times daily.  Bilberry helps restore night vision and has other beneficial effects for the eyes.

5.     Consider supplementing optimum amounts of beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene has long been shown to protect the eyes.

6.     Consider supplementing a multivitamin and mineral.  Dr. Bob advised in any nutritional protocol to use a multi.  All of the above ideas need cofactors to work properly and a multi can supply the cofactors.  Dr. Bob recommended the brand Maxilife because he said it often had the appropriate doses for the stress occurring from eye problems.

7.    Consider supplementing 10-15 mg per day of vinpocetine in divided doses.  Vinpocetine can help improve vision.  It does not really fix the eyes in any way; rather it improves the centers of the brain involved with vision, which helps improve sight.  In other words you still need to work on vision problems, but in the meantime vinpocetine can help aid vision.  There is an article called "Improve Hearing and Sight," on the web site describing the value of vinpocetine.  If you plan on using vinpocetine read the warning in the article about vinpocetine.  You should see a qualified professional before starting vinpocetine to check for pathologies.  Vinpocetine does not cure pathologies; it simply improves your ability of vision. 

In conclusion, there are orthomolecular methods that can help improve vision and help correct problems of the eyes.  In some cases there are documentation of orthomolecular ideas curing macular degeneration, night blindness, diabetic retinopathy, and other pathologies.  If you have eye problems consider visiting an orthomolecular doctor and definitely read the book by John M. Ellis.  There is a listing of orthomolecular doctors on this web site.    

Note – In order for these nutritional ideas to be successful, you must use supplements of the highest quality. Dr. Bob often said, “almost all supplement companies produce poor quality.”  You can consider the product page of this web site. Almost all the products met Dr. Bob’s approval.  Since he passed away we have attempted to keep the same high standards.  

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