Take a Local Walk

YOUR EYES YOUR HEART - GET THEM CHECKED

An eye exam could save more than your sight. Research shows that a thorough eye exam can reveal the presence of high cholesterol, which is one of the early warning signs of impending heart disease.

Cholesterol may show up in the eye as a milky ring around the outer edge of the cornea. The ring, or arcus, forms as LDL or "bad" cholesterol increases and the HDL or "good" cholesterol decreases. While the ring is not harmful to your vision, it may be an indication of high cholesterol and signal a need to do follow up testing, particularly if you are under 50 years of age or have other risk factors for heart disease.

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The ABC's of ADD
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Q: I read the Health eTip on 16 February about food additives and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (subject line: "Poor nutrition is linked to ADHD") and would like to know if you have any other information on ADD or ADHD. I think my daughter is showing some signs of it.

Dr. Jonathon V. Wright: Contrary to what the pharmaceutical companies would have you believe, Ritalin and other medications are not the only way to battle attention deficit disorder (with or without hyperactivity). I've worked with many children who have been diagnosed with the disorder and every single one of them has had significant food allergies.

A visit to a physician skilled in allergy and sensitivity testing and treatment is in order because, many times, these children are also sensitive to their own neurotransmitters, hormones, and other molecules naturally present in their bodies. A doctor can help desensitize your daughter to such neurotransmitters as serotonin, GABA, adrenalin, and acetylcholine.

I also recommend that you supplement your daughter's diet with omega-3 fatty acids and phospholipids by giving her a tablespoonful of cod liver oil and a teaspoonful or two of soy lecithin each day. It is also a good idea to have her take an EPA/DHA supplement, with a higher quantity of EPA than DHA.

It is also worth noting that ADHD-like behaviour can also be triggered by fluorescent and other artificial lighting. Try switching to "full-spectrum" fluorescent or incandescent lighting wherever possible.

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What is.a cornea?
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The cornea is the transparent, curved tissue that forms the front of the eye. It covers the pupil and iris and its outer edge meets the sclera, or white part of the eye. It is the shape of the cornea's dome that determines whether a person is near-sighted, far-sighted, or astigmatic. In addition to offering protection to the eye, the cornea's job is to help focus light onto the retina.

Wishing you the best of health,