Do you have dry eyes?
Are your eyes always itchy and red?
Do you use eye drops regularly?
Is wearing your contacts no small feat?
Have you been told you don’t make enough tears?
Have you had LASIK vision correction and now you have chronically dry eyes?
How is your night vision?
Has your vision declined over the years?
Did you know that much of the eye’s focus comes from the cornea [the clear part of the eye]?
What about frequent infections?
Skin problems, psoriasis or acne an issue?
Fine bumps on your skin a problem?
Poor wound healing?
Do you have heavy periods?
Lung problems like COPD or asthma an issue?
What about unstable blood sugar?
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If any of these questions pique your interest, read on.
A shortage of vitamin A may be to blame.
Many think of Beta-carotene [found in carrots] as vitamin A.
This is not completely accurate. In our bodies Beta-carotene CAN be, and is converted to vitamin A, BUT this conversion can be a slow.
So, it is a good idea to seek out vitamin A itself from food sources. Cod liver oil and liver are the best sources; Butter, egg yolks, whole milk and cream are decent sources as well, but skim or 2% milk are not good sources. Beta-carotene and related carotenoids are found in a variety of foods, the more the better.
Many people with a shortage of vitamin A will need to take a supplement [especially those with dry eyes]. I’ll give some specific advice in a minute.
When the topic of vitamin A comes up – I am frequently reminded that it can be toxic.
It is important to be safe when taking vitamins.
Vitamin A is very safe if taken properly.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine has established a tolerable upper limit of 10,000 IU per day.
Dr Atkins would use 200,000-500,000 iu per day for a few months in patients with acne without any side effects.[with medical supervision and lab tests]. He also used 100,000 iu per day with patients with psoriasis, again under medical supervision.
Synthetic vitamin A may contribute to birth defects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pregnant women should not take high doses and should talk to their doctors about vitamin A.
Natural Vitamin A may also cause birth defects as well but it is less likely.
Avoid the “acetate” version of Vitamin A – it is synthetic, not natural.
Although synthetic or man-made the “palmitate” version mimics our body’s way of storing vitamin A and it is probably ok. [especially for vegetarians and vegans]
BTW Beta-carotene is 100% non-toxic.
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From the Linus Pauling Institute “Free retinol is not generally found in foods. Retinyl palmitate, a precursor and storage form of retinol, is found in foods from animals. Plants contain carotenoids, some of which are precursors for vitamin A (e.g., alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin). Yellow and orange vegetables contain significant quantities of carotenoids. Green vegetables also contain carotenoids, though the pigment is masked by the green pigment of chlorophyll……..”
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From Dr Atkins’ Vita-Nutrient Solution “For a supplement source, vitamin A paImitate is the version commonly found in multivitamin formulations, and it usually meets our needs. Vegetarians should note that it is synthetic and not derived from any animal. If your body’s vitamin A stores must be replenished in a hurry, as would be necessary at the outset of an acute respiratory infection, mycellized version, which bypasses the liver and is absorbed easily, thus reducing the likelihood of a toxic accumulation. Even in amounts of 100,000 IU a day for months at a time, mycellized vitamin A has never caused any documented side effects. This safety record does not mean, however, that therapeutic dosages need not be monitored by a doctor.”
And also…
“Mycellized A performs impressively against sinus and other acute infections, especially when combined with mycellized vitamin E, Its liquid doesn’t taste great, but it’s worth tolerating for quick, impressive results. Other forms, such as retinol palmitate and emulsified preparations, have also logged impressive results.”
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Now, let’s go back to the original question.
Do you have dry eyes?
Most people have resolution of “dry eyes” in 10-14 days of taking a combination of vitamin a and beta-carotene.
I use a product that is 25,000 iu per capsule [containing 60% beta-carotene, 40% fish oil/retinol plus vitamin D3 – This is about 10,000 iu of vitamin A per pill]
This combo taken twice a day for two weeks then one per day can relieve dry eye symptoms.
Just a reminder…..
To achieve full spectrum nutrition we all need to supplement our diets.
Supplements to consider:
1) Get a good multiple vitamin/mineral product. Versions with “Chelated” minerals are best. I also like those with some plant based vitamins.
2) Take a quality Calcium product. Look for MCHA as the calcium source and one that includes Magnesium, vitamin D and some assorted trace minerals.
3) Take Omega 3 oils. Flax oil is the best to start. Adding Krill or fish oil later [BTW – Krill oil in the container has a distinctive odor – if you place 3-4 desiccant packs in the bottle and refrigerate it, the odor is gone in 12 hours]
4) Find a good Colloidal mineral product for trace minerals. Make sure it’s from Humic shale and NOT ionic minerals. Humic shale is the fossilized remains of the dinosaur days – plant based and 98% absorbed.
As always, feel free to comment or message questions or concerns.
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