Wednesday April 9th/2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:15: Robert Bateman High School is hosting its first annual 5K AIDS walk’run for the cure. It’s happening April 27th.
Guests: Shelby Goodlass, Grade 11 Student. 905.632.5151 x 235
Gina Trojanovic, Teacher. 905.334.7780

12:20: Rasilez, the first new type of high blood pressure medicine in more than a decade, is now available in Canada. Hypertension affects approximately 1 in 5 people in the country.
Guest: Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, physician in private practice and lecturer.

12:35: Time to whip it into shape.
Guest: Ernie Schramayr over at All Canadian Fitness. 905.548.6732


12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.

Age Related Macular Degeneration ( AMD)

What is AMD?
Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that affects an individual’s central vision. AMD is the most common eye loss disease among people over the age of 60. Because only the center of vision is affected, people rarely go blind from this disease; however it becomes difficult to read, drive or perform other daily activities that require fine central vision. AMD occurs when the macula, which is located in the center of the retina and provides us with sight in the center of our field degenerate. With less of the macula working, central vision, which is necessary for driving, reading, recognizing faces, begins to deteriorate.

There are two primary types of AMD;
• Dry AMD; This type is the most common. While its causes is unknown, it occurs as the light sensitive cells in the macula slowly deteriorate, generally occurring in one eye at a time.
• Wet AMD; This type is less common, but accounts for almost all severe vision loss caused by either type of AMD. Wet AMD occurs when new blood vessels behind the retina start to grow beneath the retina where they leak fluid and blood and can create a large blind spot in the center of the visual
field. If this happens there is a marked disturbance of vision in a short period of time.

What are the symptoms?
• Blurry or fuzzy vision
• Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
• Straight lines, such as on a page, telephone poles or the sides of buildings, appear wavy
• A dark or empty area, blind spot appears in the center of vision
• Rapid loss of vision, necessary for driving, reading and close-up work.

AMD is diagnosed through a complete medical history and eye examination; your risks factors could include gender, age, smoking family history, obesity, high blood cholesterol levels. Nutrients can help reduce the risk of vision loss caused by AMD by 19%. It is not a cure nor can they restore the vision already lost, however they play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD and help keep their vision. High levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the of AMD by 25%

Effective Antioxidants;
• Beta-carotene
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc, as Zinc Oxide
• Copper
• Lutein

Products recommended:
• Rexall EyeAssit AREDS
• Vitalux
• Vitalux S ( for smokers)
• Rexall Vision Formula with Lutein


Nadine Janacek
Blog Reporter Rexall #0202