Photos: For the First Time Researchers Show Reversal of an Aging Marker in the Human Retina Correlated with Visual Improvement Using a Nutraceutical Matrix (Long...(particularly calcium iron and copper tha...),Health

About lipofuscin

Dr. Richer explains that the retina of the eye begins to show signs of retinal aging, usually beginning in the third decade of life, with the progressive accumulation of lipofuscin, the medical term for cellular "garbage" that pollutes cells as they age. Researchers believe lipofuscin is not an innocent bystander -- that it generates free radicals, gene mutations and even cell death.

Molecular medicine

The use of natural iron-chelating polyphenolic molecules, such as resveratrol, quercetin and rice bran employed in this case, has been proposed as an intervention that addresses a wide range of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cardiovascular and immune compromised disease. These molecules work by their mineral chelating (key-lay-ting) properties.

Older patients can't wait for a cure

Dr. Richer says this case may serve as an early example of the potential for molecular medicine to make an impact in eye care. "While only one case, these patients do not have time to wait for controlled long-term studies and 'best available evidence' needs to be employed, given there are no foreseeable side effects or undue cost."

While Dr. Richer says this is not a proven cure yet, he thinks modern medicine may soon be able to prevent the onset of age-related retinal disease decades before vision is lost.

Macular degeneration: the numbers

Macular degeneration of the human eye is prevalent among senior Americans. About two-thirds of the 37 million senior adults in the U.S. exhibit signs of the retinal disease and about 9% of these subjects (~2.5 million) will eventually lose some central vision. Patients with macular degeneration do not go completely blind as they generally retain their side vision. Only their central vision for reading and driving is impaired.

The future

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