Last week, Meredith and I visited our wonderful eye specialist, Dr. Marc Grossman. Marc is not only a great doctor, but he also follows a CR Way lifestyle. So it was no surprise that when we saw him, he looked like he hadn’t aged a day. Previously, Marc has appeared with us on 60 Minutes and the Barbara Walters Special: Living until 150: Can you do it?
Marc gave us good news: Our eyes were essentially the same or improved, since we saw him 8 years ago. Normally vision declines noticeably as people age, but we have found that the great glucose control regimen combined with healthful, moderate protein approach to CR, seems to slow and may reverse visual acuity.
There is good reason for that. When glucose levels are lowered, activation of stem cell inhibitor, Transforming Growth factor Beta (TGFBeta), is reduced, making it easier for stem cells to repair tissue, including the microcapillaries in the retina.
For example, in this study: Transient Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Human Diabetic CD34+ Cells Enhances Vascular Reparative Functions, the eyes of some poor mice were injured and their ability to repair eye tissue was examined. Lowering of TGF Beta made a big difference.
“… Retinal and subretinal ischemia contributes to visual impairment and blindness in diseases as diverse as retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
The ischemia reperfusion model mimics many aspects of the pathophysiology of retinal ischemia and leads to the development of acellular capillaries. We have previously shown that, in this model, healthy CD34+/endothelial precursors reendothelialize ischemic capillaries; however, diabetic CD34+/endothelial precursor cells do not. ( PM: This is not surprising, since diabetic retinopathy is a well known condition)
In the present study, inhibition of TGF-β1 enhanced the recruitment of diabetic as well as healthy CD34+ cells to sites of retinal injury and corrected this defect in diabetic CD34+ cells. In conclusion, our studies show that transient inhibition of TGF-β1 in CD34+ cells ex vivo enhances repair after vascular damage. This finding may have a profound impact on disease states associated with vascular dysfunction such as ischemic heart disease and diabetic vascular complications. While an attempt is being made to replace traditional approaches for alleviating tissue ischemia (e.g., stents, angioplasty, or vessel grafts) with cell therapy, autologous cellular therapy has not been feasible in diabetic patients because of dysfunctional cells. Transient inhibition of TGF-β1 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for restoring vascular reparative function in diabetic CD34+ cells and may increase the likelihood of successful cellular therapy in diabetic individuals.”
CR Way Great Glucose control members already know this and are managing glucose levels for eye and other health benefits every day. For those with diabetes, we strongly suggest that getting some sun expose and/or regular use of a health lamp, may help.
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