Do you know what is gene mutation and what havoc it can create? A gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size from a single DNA building block (DNA base) to a large segment of a chromosome. The changes can result in various disorders of incurable types.
Most recently British scientists have found that mutation is responsible for age-related macular degeneration. This is a serious kind of eye disease that affects the old people and can lead to permanent blindness. It involves damage to the delicate cells of the macula, a region at the center of the retina.
Wet AMD, which occurs when tiny new blood vessels grow between the retina and the back of the eye can be treated with modern drugs. Around 90 percent of patients diagnosed with AMD have the so-called dry version, for which no treatment is currently available.
Imagine, blind! A world of total darkness. And who is the culprit? Well variants of the the gene Serping1. And they are six in number.
Well this is an important finding If the mutation can be corrected somehow, vision loss can be avoided. Such is the belief of Sarah Ennis and Andrew Lotery of the University of Southampton.
Source:canada.com
Filed under Eye Diseases, Eye Treatment, Macular Degeneration | Tags: AMD, blindness., DNA, eye, gene mutation, macula, Macular Degeneration, retina, Serping1, Vision Loss | 1 Comment
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February 27th, 2009 at 4:52 am
As people continue to live longer, the incidence of eye disease such as macular degeneration is on the rise. These types of debilitating eye diseases rob people of vision, and can result in individuals losing their independence.
It is believed that the visual system requires up to 25% of the nutrients we take into our bodies in order to stay healthy. Impaired circulation and/or poor absorption of nutrients can significantly contribute to eye disease. Regular exercise and management of emotional stress are also critical for maintaining health.
Eye conditions/diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and may others can be responsive to specific nutritional supplementation
For example. there is a great deal of peer review research now showing the vision can be preserved through a proper diet and specific nutritional supplementation, and that macular degeneration is a nutritionally responsive eye disease.
The recent B vitamin study showing that those that supplement with B6, B12 and folic acid have a significant lower risk of getting macular degeneration is one of many studies proving macular degeneration to be a nutritionally responsive eye disease.
Essential nutrients include lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, gingko biloba, lycopene, vitamin A, E, zinc, copper, selenium for example, that can help both prevent the onset of eye disease such as macular degeneration as well as help preserve vision for those with macular degeneration.
Daily eye exercises also help maintain healthy vision. For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country’s leading behavioral optometrists, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0 [www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0]
For more information on nutrition and macular degeneration and related research studies, go to Natural Eye Care for Macular Degeneration [www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=www.naturaleyecare.com]