healthbriefs
Acupuncture’s Growing Acceptance O
ne in 10 American adults has received acupuncture at least once and nearly half
of them say they are “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their treatment, according to a
Natural Eye Care for Aging Dogs M
survey sponsored by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Sixty percent of survey respondents readily accepted the idea of acupuncture as a treatment option, and 20 percent have used other forms of Oriental medicine, including herbs and Chinese bodywork.
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed on Oct. 24. For more information, visit
aomday.org.
any owners of middle-aged and older dogs worry about
their pets’ declining eyesight. Cloudy eyes are of particular concern, but that is not necessarily a sign that a dog is going blind, advises Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Plano, Texas. “While cataracts strike many
older dogs, a more common condition is lenticular or nuclear sclerosis, a thickening of the lens of the eye,” says Messonnier. He explains that this normal change causes the eye to appear somewhat cloudy or gray, similar to a cataract. However, unlike a cataract, this type of sclerosis does not interfere with the pet’s vision. “Veterinarians can easily tell the difference between these conditions,” he says. “No treatment is necessary for lenticular sclerosis; cataracts are often treated with carnosine drops or with surgery.” For prevention, Messonnier
suggests minimizing toxins that can cause inflammation throughout an animal’s body, not just the eyes. This means using blood titer testing instead of annual vaccinations, reducing the use of flea and tick chemicals, using natural pet foods and minimizing the use of conventional medications. He also recommends feeding a
pet nutrients that contribute to health and reduce inflammation and cellular damage, including fish oil, probiotics and antioxidants like bilberry, which supports eye health.
10 Natural Awakenings San Antonio
Mercury RAISES Risk of Diabetes AND Heart Attacks E
xposure to mercury in young adulthood can trigger serious health issues later in life, according to two
recent studies. New Indiana University research confirmed a link between mercury exposure and diabetes in young adults ages 20 to 32 at the beginning of the study in 1987, and was periodically reassessed six times through 2005. Those with high mercury levels at the beginning of the study were 65 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as they aged. Also, Swedish researchers report that high mercury levels from eating
contaminated fish leads to a higher risk for heart attacks in men. However, eating clean coldwater fish high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, countered the increased risk from the mercury exposure, according to conclusions published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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