Dear Healthy Friend,

People say the eyes are the windows of the soul... The eyes have one language everywhere... And the eye is the jewel of the body... But there's one thing they don't normally say about your eyes: That they could indicate heart failure.
Jenny Thompson has uncovered some new research about the eyes and what they can really show us...

In the name of good health,

Taryn Strugnell
Managing Editor of Nutrition & Healing

P.S.Warts are unsightly and tough pieces of skin that no-one wants. Dr Wright reveals a rather strange way to get rid of them.... keep reading to find out more.... 

Could eye disease indicate heart failure?
Jenny Thompson
Publisher of Health Sciences Institute

Retinopathy is a disorder that blocks blood flow to the eyes and is the major cause of blindness among diabetics. About one in every five type II diabetes patients will also have retinopathy at the time of their diagnosis.

A previous discovery shows that a vitamin E deficiency may predict deteriorating artery health in type II diabetics. And recent research confirms that diabetic retinopathy may be a reliable indicator of cardiovascular problems as well.

A study conducted by researchers at Australia’s University of Melbourne about three years ago, shows retinopathy as a link to an increased risk of congestive heart failure (CHF). The researchers examined seven years worth of health records in more than 11,000 middle-aged subjects who had received retinal exams. Results showed that risk of CHF was three times higher among subjects with retinopathy compared to subjects without the condition. The team concluded that retinopathy could be considered an independent predictor of CHF - even if a patient has no other CHF risk factors.

The lead author of the study recently revisited the retinopathy/heart connection with a group of researchers from the University of Sydney.

The Sydney team compared the results of 3,000 retinopathy exams (mostly among diabetics) with subjects' health records. They found that patients with retinopathy were almost twice as likely to die of heart disease within the 12-year study period.

Whether or not you have type II diabetes, there are several important steps you can take to minimise risk of both retinopathy and heart disease.

1. Control your blood sugar

Prevention of retinopathy begins with control of glucose and insulin levels. Of course, this means getting regular exercise and cutting simple carbohydrates and highly refined foods from your diet.

2. Take these vitamin supplements

A multiyear study of more than 1,300 subjects examining the effects of vitamins C and E on diabetic retinopathy was also conducted. Subjects who took supplements of these vitamins for three years or more were significantly less likely to develop retinopathy compared to subjects who didn't use supplements. Studies have shown that a deficiency of vitamin B-6 may also contribute to retinopathy.

3. Supplement with pycnogenol

Pycnogenol – a pine bark extract – has been shown to help maintain venous health AND blood sugar control in diabetics. People who use Pycnogenol have significant reduction in venous pressure, capillary leakage and blood vessel inflammation compared to those who don't use the extract.

4. Supplement with policosanol

Policosanol – a compound of fatty alcohols derived primarily from sugar cane – has been shown to provide key cardiovascular benefits. Dr Wright has also written on this subject and says: "Policosanol helps to prevent strokes by inhibiting platelet aggregation and abnormal blood clotting and may lower blood pressure. And unlike the popular patent medications, policosanol has virtually no side effects and does not seriously interfere with our bodies' ability to produce co-enzyme Q10 as statin medications do."

5. Take more ginkgo biloba

Dr. Wright recommends ginkgo as research shows it improves impaired circulation throughout the body. A Taiwanese study found an increase in blood flow to retinal capillaries of 10% in 25 subjects with diabetic neuropathy.

Remember: Always talk to your doctor before adding new supplements to your daily regimen.

Remove warts easily!
Nutrition & Healing

Q: Do you have any tips for getting rid of warts?

Dr Wright: One of the best treatments I have found for removing warts is one that doesn't actually involve any vitamins, herbs or other nutrients. In fact, all it involves is duct tape.

Several years ago, Dr Dean Focht, a medical resident at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, had 51 individuals, ages 3 to 22, use either standard liquid nitrogen freezing therapy or "duct tape therapy" for wart removal.

Of the 25 individuals using duct tape, 85% had their warts disappear, usually within a month. In the 26-member liquid nitrogen group, only 60% of the warts went away.

The therapy itself is fairly easy: Just cut the duct tape to the size of the wart and stick it on for six days. Then remove the tape, soak the wart in water and buff it with pumice or an emery board. Twelve hours later, apply new tape. Repeat this cycle until the wart disappears.

If you find that the duct tape keeps falling off, or if you just want to disguise it, the easiest solution is to put a plaster over the tape.