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Learn about the new frontier of medicine and stem cell therapies.
I just recently learned about this annual symposium held in Florida in February 14-15. There is time from our posting date in mid January for you to register if you act fast. Here is a link to the 2020 information. This event is surprisingly affordable and is the idea of my guest, Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, a board certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist.
You can join world-renowned doctors, scientists, and researchers for a symposium about the new frontier of medicine – reversing chronic diseases. Topics to be discussed include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, stem cell therapies, gut health, clinical genomics and the reversal of neurodegenerative conditions. One of the key speakers this year will be Dr. Jonathan Wright.
It is apparent there is significant high-quality research that has elucidated and provided biochemical, molecular biological, genomic and clinical evidence into the pathogenesis of these diseases. However this event was actually a very small part of a much broader discussion of retinal health.
Retinal health is Dr. Kaushal’s area of expertise and in our interview he explains why nutrients are so important in managing retinal health. Dr. Kaushal has an MD (from John Hopkins), PhD (from MIT) and has four clinics in Florida called Comprehensive Retina Consultants. Dr. Kaushal is a committed clinician and surgeon who is firmly rooted in the science and the research. One of the interesting segments of his interview is him describing how he came to understand the importance of nutrition in health and healing. It has now become his mission to share his knowledge and expertise with his patients and beyond.
Retina Health
“The retina is a thin, diaphanous structure that is no thicker than tissue paper attached to the inner wall of the back of the eye. It is the photographic film of the eye and is a laminated, integrated circuit that subserves all aspects of visual perception including high resolution central acuity, motion detection, edge identification, contrast sensitivity, color identification, and peripheral vision. It has at least nine identifiable structural layers with at least 15 different cell types that carry out important metabolic functions. The maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of this highly organized tissue demands significant biological energy.
There are two major light-absorbing photoreceptor cells in humans. The rod cells mediate peripheral and dim light vision and contain the visual pigment protein rhodopsin. These photo-receptors are found in large numbers in the peripheral retina, but their highest density is in a circumferential distribution around the macula — the central region of the retina. The cone cells are important for color vision and high acuity central vision and are found predominantly in the macula. In the human body, the retina is the most metabolically active tissue per unit weight and the eye has the largest blood supply per unit weight.
Because of this unique biochemistry and vascularity, the retina is a unique barometer of overall health and nutrition. Thus, nearly every human disease has a retinal manifestation.” source: Comprehensive Retina Consultants.
Follow the science
Google Scholar is an excellent resource for exploring the science that exists on many topics. Use it whenever you want to see if something has been well-studied. Below are the search terms I used in this case and the results. You can mix and match search terms and fine tune the results. There are no ads and I find it more useful than PubMed as a more user friendly experience.
Perhaps what is most useful to me is that when I search a nutrient and I see there are thousands and tens of thousands of studies, it gives me the basis as a consumer to have confidence in the reported benefits. Quality nutrients benefit human health. We know that because of the scientific inquiry. Especially when that research is extensive and growing.
Basic search term is retina
- Retina (all time) = 1,830,000
- Retina (since 2019) = 35,100
- Retina (since 2019) + macula = 11,800
- Retina (since 2019) + lutein and zeaxanthin = 863
Rheostasis
Rheostasis is a novel, Physician founded and Physician endorsed nutritional supplement company founded by Dr. Kaushal. By coupling scientifically validated foundational nutritional supplements that can be used as either stand-alone products or for our customers who are being treated by the methods of functional, nutritional and nutrigenomic medicine. Rheostasis products are designed to be used in conjunction with functional diagnostics and nutrigenomic testing, thereby making the improvement of a patient’s ‘health portfolio’ simple and clinically impactful.
Dr. Shalesh Kaushal
Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, MD, PhD is a Florida based board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the area of vitreoretinal disease and serving patients in the Ocala, FL area. Considered one of the foremost authorities on retinal disease, Dr. Kaushal offers advanced diagnostics and a unique approach to uncover the core of why certain retina conditions exist, as well as the most optimal way to treat them. In 2009, Dr. Kaushal was recruited to the University of Massachusetts as the chairman to build a new eye center, which at the time was the first, new academic Department of Ophthalmology in the United States in over 25 years.
After years of extensive training, research, and working with patients from across the nation, Dr. Kaushal transitioned back to Florida in 2013. He is the founder of several biotech companies and is a valued consultant for many of the leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. Due to these efforts, he has been the first in the world to use new drugs in retinal care. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including the nomination for the prestigious Castle Connolly “Top Doctor” Award.
Sponsor – Comprehensive Retina Consultants
Comprehensive Retina Consultants, directed and led by graduate of Yale University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and board-certified retina surgeon Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, a is a leading vision practice dedicated to the health of the retina. Serving the communities of The Villages, Leesburg, Tavares, Ocala Inverness, and Citrus County, our retina practice treats patients from across the United States as well as locally. Dr. Kaushal is passionate about retinal disease and returning the quality of life back to his patients he believes they sincerely deserve. Through compassionate, dedicated, skilled care, Dr. Kaushal and his team use the most advanced vitreoretinal technology blended with a unique approach to treatment for optimal success.
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