Ginger, a pungent root with centuries of cultural and medicinal significance, continues to be lauded for its health benefits. Yet, consuming ginger daily raises the question of its impact on well-being.

Research from the University of Maryland Medical Center highlights ginger's ability to alleviate nausea through compounds like gingerol and shogao. These elements possess anti-inflammatory properties, making them particularly helpful against nausea caused by surgery, chemotherapy, and motion sickness.

According to the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ginger's compounds enhance immune responses by reducing inflammation and providing antioxidant benefits. These properties support the immune system indirectly by aiding digestion and circulation.

For migraine sufferers, ginger might offer relief. "Phytotherapy Research" presents findings that ginger powder can lower the severity and duration of migraines, thanks to its impact on reducing prostaglandin production.

Ginger’s antioxidants are formidable allies against free radical damage, mitigating chronic diseases. Its benefits extend to cancer prevention, as reported by the British Journal of Nutrition, citing ginger’s role in reducing cancer cell growth.

While the benefits are significant, potential side effects should be considered. Overconsumption can lead to stomach upset, heartburn, or diarrhea. Hence, moderation is crucial, especially when inflammation relief transitions to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Additionally, rare instances of cardiac irregularities have been observed with high doses, emphasizing the importance of professional guidance when adding supplements to dietary routines.

Ginger offers numerous incorporation methods into daily meals, enhancing both flavor and health. Consider preparing ginger tea, a timeless remedy that involves steeping fresh ginger in boiling water.

Moreover, ginger adds zest to savory dishes, smoothies, or baked goods. Enjoy concentrated health benefits with ginger shots—a mix of fresh ginger juice, lemon, and honey.

Ginger's influence as a daily supplement reveals profound health potentials. However, to harness these advantages without undue risk, start with small amounts and adjust based on bodily responses.

Do you incorporate ginger into your meals? Your experiences and questions about consuming ginger are welcomed within our community—continually dedicating to scientifically-backed health insights daily!

Ginger, an anciently revered root, offers various health benefits through its properties. Though beneficial, caution is advised regarding side effects and excessive intake.

In this video, discover the impact of daily ginger intake.

Eating Ginger - what does it really do to your body? Ginger often sparks debate, sometimes included in diets for their nutritional ...

I ate 1 Slice of Ginger Every Day for a Month, THIS Happened to My Body !

ginger a root with a strong spicy flavor has been a staple in The Culinary and medicinal world for centuries but what really happens to your body if you AE Ginger every day with such a long history comes a mixed bag of opinions what if you decided to make it a part of your daily diet would it actually boost your health or would it have adverse effects detrimental to your health and what about the long-term implications on your body in this video we will uncover the truth about Ginger exploring its scientifically studied effects and potential side effects but before we dive in do us a favor if you&amp;#39;re interested in Health and Longevity give this video a thumbs up and subscribe to our Channel we bring you scientifically researched Health content on a daily basis you have nothing to lose but a wealth of knowledge to gain let&amp;#39;s start off with the first benefit of Ginger it can ease nausea Studies by the University of Maryland Medical Center show that Ginger can help alleviate nausea caused by surgery chemotherapy and motion sickness Ginger eases nausea through its active compounds such as gingerol and shogul which have anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic properties these compounds help speed up gastric emptying and improve digestion reducing the feeling of nausea Ginger also impacts the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract inhibiting serotonin receptors and exerting a calming effect on the stomach this makes Ginger effective in relieving nausea caused by motion sickness pregnancy chemotherapy and post-operative Recovery number two Ginger benefits the immune system according to research from the Journal of ethnopharmacology compounds in ginger can enhance immune response possibly helping to prevent diseases it helps the immune system through its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties its active compounds such as gingerol shogul and zeron reduce inflammation and oxidative stress which can enhance immune response Ginger also has antimicrobial properties that can help fight off infections additionally Ginger supports overall health by aiding digestion and improving circulation both of which are crucial for a robust immune system number three it helps with migraines if you&amp;#39;re one of the millions of people who suffer from migraines ginger might be a natural solution for you a study from phytotherapy research found that ginger powder decreased migraine severity and duration the active compounds in ginger such as gingerol reduce the production of prostaglandins which are chemicals that cause inflammation and pain in the brain during migraines number four Ginger is high in antioxidants these powerful compounds help guard your body against harmful free radicals these compounds help neutralize free radicals which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage cells by Scavenging these free radicals the antioxidants in ginger protect the body from chronic diseases and inflammation this antioxidant activity contributes to Ginger&amp;#39;s health benefits including anti-aging effects and the reduction of oxidative stress related conditions number five Ginger May lower the risk of cancer a report from the British Journal of nutrition found that Ginger extract reduced the growth of certain types of cancer cells Ginger also induces apoptosis programmed cell death in cancer cells and inhibits their growth and proliferation additionally it can prevent the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow number six it may help manage high blood sugar a study from the University of Sydney found that Ginger can increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells potentially helping manage high blood sugar levels if you find this video informative and helpful so far please hit the like button it helps us get our video across to people who might really need this information number seven Ginger may help alleviate anxiety a study from the kman University of medical Sciences indicates that Ginger extract may have anti-anxiety effect the active compounds in ginger such as gingerol help modulate neurotransmitter levels including serotonin and dopamine which are involved in mood regulation number eight Ginger helps reduce indigestion a study from Thailand&amp;#39;s changai University found that Ginger sped up gastric emptying potentially reducing symptoms of indigestion bloating and gas it helps relax the gastrointestinal muscles facilitating smoother Movement of food through the digestive tract and reducing discomfort number nine Ginger may help those with asthma according to a study from Colombia University Ginger compounds could enhance the relaxing effects of certain asthma drugs number 10 Ginger may help decrease the risk of Alzheimer&amp;#39;s disease a study from the University of South Dakota found that compounds in ginger could inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds in the brain number 11 Ginger May improve muscle and bone pain according to a study from the University of Georgia daily Ginger consumption resulted in moderate to large reductions in muscle pain but what happens when you consume ginger in large doses while ginger has many benefits it is important to be aware of its possible side effects let&amp;#39;s start with the most common side effect stomach upset a heavy dose of Ginger can irritate your stomach leading to discomfort or even pain if you&amp;#39;ve ever experienced a sudden bout of nausea or discomfort after a ginger heavy meal this could be the reason next up is heartburn while Ginger is often recommended as a natural remedy for heartburn paradoxically it can also cause it this happens when the ginger relaxes the lower esophagal sphincter a ring of muscle that closes off the stomach from the esophagus when this muscle is relaxed stomach acid can escape into the esophagus causing that familiar burning sensation diarrhea is another potential side effect of consuming too much Ginger this is because Ginger speeds up the passage of food and stool through the intestines while this can can be beneficial for those with constipation it can lead to loose stools or diarrhea in others more rarely consuming large amounts of ginger might lead to cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heart beats this is likely due to Ginger&amp;#39;s effect on certain ion channels in the heart which control the heart&amp;#39;s electrical activity lastly Ginger can cause mouth irritation if you&amp;#39;ve ever bitten into a piece of raw ginger and felt a burning sensation in your mouth this is why the compounds responsible for Ginger&amp;#39;s spicy flavor can also irritate the mucus membranes in your mouth these side effects are generally associated with consuming ginger in large amounts or in concentrated forms like pills or extracts most people can safely enjoy ginger in moderation as part of their regular diet start with small amounts and see how your body reacts if you notice any discomfort reduce your intake and as always if you&amp;#39;re considering adding a new supplement to your diet it&amp;#39;s wise to consult with a healthc care professional first Ginger can be easily added to your diet in a variety of ways let&amp;#39;s explore some of the most popular methods firstly ginger tea is a classic favorite to make your own simply steep fresh ginger slices in boiling water for about 10 minutes you can sweeten it with honey or lemon for added flavor next consider adding Ginger to your meals this versatile root can be grated chopped or sliced into your favorite dishes it pairs well with Savory dishes like stir fry curries and soups but it&amp;#39;s not just for Savory dishes Ginger can also add a zest Dusty twist to your smoothie or even be baked into cookies or cakes Ginger shots are another popular option to make a ginger shot juice fresh ginger and mix it with lemon juice and a touch of honey it&amp;#39;s a potent concentrated dose of Ginger&amp;#39;s benefits remember though moderation is key if you&amp;#39;re considering Ginger supplements it&amp;#39;s best to consult with a healthc care professional first they can provide informed advice on the right dosage and potential interactions with other medications you may be taking did you find this video informative and helpful please give that like button some love help us reach out to more people who might really be needing this information subscribe to our Channel if you haven&amp;#39;t done so already we give out daily research backed Health content we&amp;#39;d love to hear from you do you use ginger in your diet have you experienced any of these benefits or side effects how do you incorporate it into your diet let&amp;#39;s continue the conversation in the comments below until next time stay healthy

Lately, do you find yourself experiencing numbness in your legs and cold feet? These are often symptoms of poor blood circulation, which can also manifest as swelling and varicose veins. Understanding the underlying causes is essential in managing and improving your circulation health.

Poor circulation can occur when oxygen-rich blood doesn't efficiently reach your organs or when vein blood cannot swiftly return to the heart. It's most prevalent in adults over 55 and is caused by conditions such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis, among others.

Atherosclerosis involves fatty plaque buildup, blocking arteries.

Varicose veins are dilated due to inadequate valve function within veins.

Thrombosis refers to blood clots that obstruct vein or artery circulation.

Initial symptoms often include cold extremities, skin discoloration, or even tingling sensations. Severe cases may lead to intermittent claudication—pain that occurs during walking then stops upon rest. Swelling, especially around your ankles, and cramping at nighttime might suggest circulatory issues requiring medical attention.

Enhancing blood flow in your legs can often be achieved through specific exercises. Implementing these seven exercises daily encourages better vein and artery performance.

Walking - Boosts cardiovascular health, promoting blood return from the legs.

Squats - Strengthen calves and increase venous blood return.

Elliptical - Continuous leg movement enhancing lower extremity blood circulation.

Bicycling - Foster leg contraction and circulation through repetitive pedaling.

Elastic band resistance - Increases muscle work and circulatory health.

Toe-Heel tip - Stimulates calf muscles, opening up vein pathways.

Foam roller exercises - Significantly increase thigh blood flow even after the exercise.

Prevention is pivotal for vascular health. Efforts like maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in consistent leg movements, and wearing supportive apparel contribute exceedingly well.

Keeping active - Dedicate time to regular exercise.

Wearing elastic stockings - Offers pressure to bolster blood circulation.

Lifting legs - Helps return blood to the heart, taking pressure off about the ankle region.

It’s crucial to recognize when experienced symptoms warrant professional care. Warning indications such as persistent swelling, intense pain, or signifiers unique to circulatory Complications often necessitate urgent assessment from an expert.

If you experience abnormal swelling with breathlessness, it's a red alert to consult a specialist urgently.

Pay keen attention to symptomatic urges like urination changes and severe pain, which hint at higher-risk ailments like thrombosis or infection. Early intervention might significantly curb further cardiovascular issues.

This video explores common circulation issues, symptoms of poor circulation, engaging habits to prevent further circulation issues, and seven exercises to improve your blood flow. Discover simple at-home exercises like walking and squats, understand the causes of varicose veins, and identify when it might be necessary to consult a doctor.

In this video, discover exercises for better blood circulation.

7 Exercises to IMPROVE LEG CIRCULATION with VARICOSE VEINS ⚠️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER This is a purely educational ...

7 Exercises to IMPROVE LEG CIRCULATION with VARICOSE VEINS

lately have you been experiencing numbness in your feet and legs swelling cold feet and varicose veins these could be signs of symptoms of poor blood circulation in this video I&amp;#39;ll discuss seven exercises you can do at home to improve leg circulation if you have varicose veins or even clogged veins this includes an exercise that can improve blood flow in the legs by up to 75% but I won&amp;#39;t just talk about these exercises I will also discuss what causes poor circulation and which habits can help prevent poor circulation or prevent it from worsening additionally I&amp;#39;ll cover warning signs that you need to be aware of when it&amp;#39;s necessary to see a doctor this video will be very comprehensive so watch it until the end before we continue please like the video subscribe to the channel so you don&amp;#39;t miss our health tips and turn on notifications and share this video with your friends and family now tell me do you have a history of C Cy problems what do you feel where in the world are you from write it down below let&amp;#39;s go what is poor circulation poor circulation occurs when oxygen-rich blood doesn&amp;#39;t reach certain parts of the body properly or when Venus blood can&amp;#39;t quickly return to the heart knowing how to improve blood flow and circulation in the legs is especially important for people over the age of 55 poor circulation can be caused by various things such as atherosclerosis which involves the formation of fatty plaques clogging the arteries this is one of the most common causes varicose veins which are dilated tortuous veins especially in the legs and thighs due to insufficient internal valves are another cause blood can&amp;#39;t flow back to the heart causing the vein to expand almost 40% of adults live with them and women are more prone to developing varicose veins another cause of poor circulation is deep vein thrombosis where a clot clogs the vein limiting blood flow these are the three main causes but there are others such as Burger&amp;#39;s disease or thromboangiitis obliterans which cause clogging of the small and medium arteries and can lead to amputation heart disease is another cause the heart becomes weak and doesn&amp;#39;t pump enough blood what are the symptoms of poor circulation a person may have cold feet due to a lack of adequate blood in that region they may experience numbness and tingling if you feel a burning sensation in the soles of your feet be sure it&amp;#39;s not diabetes diabetes besides impairing circulation increasing the risk of atherosclerosis can damage nerves causing this uncomfortable burning sensation but you might also experience leg pain those with varicose veins usually feel heaviness leg fatigue that worsens throughout the day or or a throbbing pain when standing for too long the skin may also become more sensitive to touch due to affected veins those with clogged arteries experience pain known as intermittent claudication you walk about 100 m and then you have to stop because it hurts then the pain stops you walk a little more and it hurts again another symptom of poor circulation is cramps especially at night another complaint is swelling those with varicose veins or heart problems May retain more fluid especially around the ankles and this can also alter the Skin&amp;#39;s appearance it becomes darker or covered with small dots what we call ochre dermatitis this is also a sign of chronic Venus insufficiency and increased pressure in the leg veins leading to the leakage of blood into the tissues and the blood has hemoglobin which is broken down into hemosiderin so there&amp;#39;s a tattooing of your skin because of this Blood leakage around the ankle area also when you have poor circulation you might feel colder in your feet your skin may become altered drier and if you get a cut or a wound they take longer to heal and of course when the obstruction is from the artery your hair may fall out one leg may have a different temperature than the other and even the skin color may change one side is pinkish which is normal and the other is bluish how is poor Circ culation diagnosed first you&amp;#39;ll have the signs and symptoms with this the doctor will look at your family history whether you smoke have diabetes have high blood pressure have a family history will examine and see if there&amp;#39;s swelling varicose veins what the skin temperature is whether the pulse is weak or strong then the doctor May request some tests like a Doppler of the legs the Doppler can be Venus if thinking about varicose veins or thrombosis or arterial if he notices that the pulse is weak and he&amp;#39;s thinking that your artery is clogged what are the seven fundamental exercises to activate your leg circulation basically our body has two pumps that make our blood circulate the first and most important is the heart which pumps blood to the lungs in our entire body and the second pump is our calves they help Venus blood return to the heart when you stand or sit for a long time gravity will make the return of blood from the feet and legs back to the heart more difficult our calves and leg muscles when exercised compress the Deep veins helping to push the blood upward back to the heart therefore knowing how to activate your calf our second muscular pump and doing this every day you will reduce your risk of having varicose veins or delay their appearance and of course reduce the weight on your legs reduce the Burning Sensations and swelling effectively improving your circulation first exercise to improve leg circulation walking walking is the most democratic exercise there is just put on some sneakers and start walking it improves cardiovascular health and optimizes circulation when you walk the muscles of the legs and calves contract and relax pushing the blood back to the heart thus helping to prevent blood stasis in the leg veins walking frequently improves the elasticity of the blood vessels makes your heart pump more blood blood and reduces vascular resistance and if you have a blockage in the arteries with symptoms of intermittent claudication it hurts when you walk when it starts to hurt walk a little more and then stop walking a little more will stimulate the formation of new blood vessels there will be more collateral circulation more blood will reach will irrigate better get out and walk staying still doesn&amp;#39;t work ideally walk until you feel discomfort and try to go a little further each day as this can help improve blood flow second exercise squats the squat activates and strengthens the largest muscles of the leg and as I said this will increase Venus return and blood flow to the area promoting better circulation do body weight squats using a chair for support if necessary maintain good posture and do light squats going only as far as you feel comfortable stand up with your feet apart keeping your back straight looking forward make a slow motion lowering your body as if you were going to sit in a chair try to keep your knees aligned with your feet lower as far as you feel comfortable if you can until your thighs are parallel to the floor return to the starting position slowly if possible do between 10 20 squats per day third exercise to activate circulation elliptical you may say you don&amp;#39;t have an elliptical at home nor do you pay for a gym that&amp;#39;s okay but many of these outdoor gyms have these machines using an elliptical machine can promote circulation by exercising the ankles knees and a bit of the hips the exercise on the elliptical involves continuous movement of the legs and feet in an elliptical pattern which promotes an increase in blood flow in the lower extremities improving circulation fourth exercise to improve leg circulation bicycle yes it can be the stationary bike or even the conventional one where you go out to Pedal the bicycle involves repetitive movements of the legs promoting the contraction of the thigh and calf muscles acting as pumps helping Venus return to the heart and it will improve your circulation fifth exercise elastic band exercises with an elastic band provide resistance causing the muscles to work more intensely as they contract against this resistance the muscles Propel the blood through the veins improving circulation and Venus return to the heart sit with your legs stretched out in front of you place the elastic band around the soles of your feet hold the ends of the band with your hands gently pull the ends of the band flexing your feet towards you relax and repeat the movement 10 times sixth exercise toe heel tip raise the heels and then the toe tip several times a day this exercise is good for circulation stand on the tips of your toes raising the heels slowly return until the heels touch the ground now slightly raise the toe tips putting weight on the heels return to the starting position and repeat 10 times a day this exercise strengthens the calves and stimulates leg circulation seventh exercise the use of foam roller use a foam roller to massage and release the muscles of the calves thighs and the front part of the leg promoting circulation this exercise with the foam roller can improve blood flow in the thigh by almost 75% how should you do it grab the foam roller and place it on the floor lie on your side with the thigh resting on the roller near the knee slowly roll your body making the Roller Slide along the side of the thigh from the knee to the hip and then back to the knee try to maintain a rhythm of one roll every 2 seconds do this for 45 seconds rest for 20 seconds and repeat two more times if if possible ask a physiotherapist to watch and guide you to maximize the exercise this exercise can help improve blood flow in the thigh area you rolled both immediately after the exercise and 30 minutes later how to prevent poor circulation and varicose veins there are several things you can do to avoid varicose veins even if you have unfavorable genetics maintain a healthy weight if you are overweight or obese losing weight helps losing weight reduces that excessive pressure on the veins of the legs and feet and the blood returns better to the heart move around avoid sitting or standing for long periods moving helps blood circulate pay attention to shoes high heels only occasionally flat shoes help the leg muscles work better legs up if they&amp;#39;re tired or swollen raise them for about 30 minutes ideally put them above the heart use pillows for this raising the legs helps the blood return to the heart use elastic stockings if you spend a lot of time standing consider using these stockings they help the blood rise and decrease swelling avoid tight clothes wearing very tight clothes especially around the waist can hinder circulation balanced diet eating foods rich in fiber and low in salt can help prevent swelling and fluid retention don&amp;#39;t cross your legs when sitting for long periods avoid crossing your legs as the this can impair circulation avoid alcohol and tobacco both have negative effects on circulation and of course have regular checkups with your doctor if you have a family history of varicose veins or other circulation problems it&amp;#39;s especially important to be monitored and what are the warning signs that you need to know that you have to go to the doctor because this poor circulation could be due to a more serious illness first it could be your heart if both legs swell especially if you don&amp;#39;t have apparent varicose veins you feel short of breath after walking a short space or a slight incline wake up coughing or searching for air during the night need to sleep almost sitting up or with several pillows because of shortness of breath all of these may be signs of heart failure and you should consult a cardiologist it could be a kidney problem if you swell not only the legs but also the face and have changes in the amount of urine either urinating too much or too little and even if the urine Foams and if your blood pressure worsens the pressure has become very high and your medications have stopped controlling it consult a nephologist it could be thrombosis if swelling occurs in just one leg especially if you have traveled by plane bus or car or even had surgery in thrombosis the calf becomes hard swollen and painful to touch and the veins become very apparent engorged it&amp;#39;s dangerous you must seek a doctor doctor urgently because the clot that may be in your veins can break loose and travel to your lungs causing a pulmonary embolism it could be an infection if your leg is swollen red warm and painful in addition to swelling if you have chills or a fever especially if you have an ulcer or a wound on the leg this could be cellulitis or irus consult a doctor did you like the video remember to share it so more people can have this knowledge remember to subscribe and until the next video thank you very much

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, has become increasingly prevalent, especially among Asian populations. Known as an "epidemic" in places like China, it presents a significant health concern. Understanding the environmental conditions that contribute to myopia development in children can help formulate better preventive strategies.

The Impact of Environmental Conditions on Eye Health

For years, scientists believed that spending more time engaged in near activities, such as reading or using a computer, might contribute to myopia development. Studies revealed a possible link between near-focused activities and the elongation of the eyeball, which causes nearsightedness.

Recent Findings: The Role of Light Exposure

Newer research, however, shifts the focus from solely near work to include the quality of light exposure. Studies show that spending more time outdoors in natural, full-spectrum sunlight could offer significant protective benefits against the progression of myopia in children.

Randomized controlled trials recently examined the influence of outdoor lighting, demonstrating that children who spend more time outdoors experience a slower progression of nearsightedness. The sunlight provides full-spectrum light not present in typical indoor lighting, suggesting a favorable impact on eye development.

Encouraging Outdoor Activities: Practical Recommendations

Current research supports encouraging children to spend more time outdoors to benefit from natural sunlight. Though the exact optimal duration is unknown, studies indicate that even increasing outdoor time from an hour can yield significant benefits.

Promote outdoor play to maximize sun exposure, supporting eye health.

Integrate outdoor reading activities into daily routines.

Balance near and far activities to encourage flexible eye focus.

Aside from playing, simply being outside enhances far viewing opportunities, challenging children’s eyes differently than being indoors. While reading or attending to screens can still occur outside, encouraging children to look up and focus on distant objects intermittently is beneficial.

Future Directions and Unanswered Questions

While certain aspects of optimal sunlight exposure remain undecided, comprehensive clinical trials continue to provide insight into effective methods to prevent myopia in children. Ongoing research aims to prescribe the best “doses” of outdoor time needed to achieve the most beneficial outcomes.

"I&#39;ll go into the grave suggesting that people get some morning sunlight in their eyes to set their circadian rhythm,"

Explore how lighting exposure impacts childhood myopia and discover the benefits of outdoor activities for reducing its progression.

In this video, experts discuss lighting's impact on children's visual health.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg and Dr. Andrew Huberman discuss the connection between environmental conditions and children's visual ...

Tool for Better Eyesight & Eye Health | Dr. Jeff Goldberg & Dr. Andrew Huberman

What can we say about the
environmental conditions in which kids are seeing from the time they&amp;#39;re born through let&amp;#39;s say adolescents
in their teen years in terms of how their
visual system wires up, and are there any recommendations that are coming from the
scientific literature, clinical studies, clinical trials, excuse me, or otherwise that indicate what a healthy
visual environment consists of? Yeah, yeah. That&amp;#39;s a great question and actually, it&amp;#39;s really relevant these days, because, you know, myopia is so common. It&amp;#39;s more common in Asian populations. You know, it&amp;#39;s called
an epidemic in China. In California, we have
a lot of Asian heritage or Asian Americans, and so we see a lot. Like, at Stanford, we see a lot of, you know, myopia in kids and adults, and really starting to get thoughtful on the science of myopia control. How do we provide the right environments? Now what&amp;#39;s interesting
is that for decades, the assumption, some of the data really led us to the
path of thinking like, &amp;quot;Gosh, the more you spend
at near activities,&amp;quot; and these are mouse model
experiments like you described, but also well-designed
human cohort studies, you know, figuring out, like, asking, you know, kids and families, like, &amp;quot;How long is your kid reading or in front of the computer? How myopic are they? How
nearsighted are they?&amp;quot; Versus, &amp;quot;How much time is your
kid in front of the computer doing near work? How myopic or nearsighted are they?&amp;quot; And these well-designed cohort studies did point towards this concept that if you do too much near work as a kid that you&amp;#39;re more likely
to develop nearsightedness as you get through
those sort of, you know, preteen and even into the teen years, which is when most of
that myopia progression or eyeball elongation
is actually happening to cause nearsightedness. It&amp;#39;s only been in the last few years that some really exciting studies have actually pointed in a
slightly different direction, and that&amp;#39;s that maybe it&amp;#39;s not all, not to say it&amp;#39;s not about near activity, but maybe it&amp;#39;s not all
about near activity. Maybe it&amp;#39;s actually a little more about the kind of light
we&amp;#39;re getting into our eyes, and I think you&amp;#39;ve
talked about this before, and it&amp;#39;s really important. When they&amp;#39;ve now studied
and asked the kids instead of just how much near and how much far are you doing, how much time are you spending
indoors in indoor lighting, which doesn&amp;#39;t have full-spectrum light in a typical indoor environment, versus how much time are
you spending outdoors playing in the yard? You could be reading outside, but what kind of time
are you spending outside? And of course, when
you&amp;#39;re outside in sunlight even it&amp;#39;s in direct sunlight, you&amp;#39;re getting a different spectrum of kind of full-spectrum
lighting from the sun, and it looks like it&amp;#39;s
pretty clear now actually that it has maybe more to do
with outdoor lighting time than just near work, and so I think that, you know, we&amp;#39;ve actually already seen the first couple randomized
controlled trials where they&amp;#39;re having kids intentionally spending time outdoors versus sort of standard life, which, you know, is going to
be often much more indoor time, and seeing some effects. You follow those kids
over a couple of years and the kids who spend time outdoors are progressing in their
nearsightedness less. Like, their nearsighted prescription is not getting as strong as the kids who are
spending more time indoors. And there&amp;#39;s some pretty good biology that&amp;#39;s getting worked out, going back to animal models more about how that might be working in the retina inside the eye. But it&amp;#39;s pretty compelling concept, and so, you know, as a parent, you may want to be telling your kid like, &amp;quot;Okay, yeah, I want
you to read that book,&amp;quot; or, you know, if your
kid&amp;#39;s playing on the phone or something like that, or the iPad or something like that, they&amp;#39;re allowed that time. &amp;quot;Okay, you can have that time, but I want you to spend some of the time that you&amp;#39;re doing that outdoors.&amp;quot; Are there any thresholds
for the amount of time that one would suggest
their child be outdoors to get that full-spectrum light? It&amp;#39;s a great question. You know, we talk about cohort studies where we just ask people
what are they doing, and there seems to be, you know, a little bit of what we would call a dose-dependent response. Maybe the more time
outdoors might be better. We don&amp;#39;t know if there&amp;#39;s an upper limit. Like, gosh, if you go
over two or three hours, there&amp;#39;s no additional benefit. Talk about that in cohort studies. The real gold standard for answering these kinds of questions are randomized controlled trials, and specifically placebo controlled, or a control group that&amp;#39;s
not getting the intervention. That&amp;#39;s our highest level of
evidence for clinical evidence, for any of this kind of science, when we&amp;#39;re talking about humans or preclinical models in the laboratory. And the study that hasn&amp;#39;t been done yet to really answer that
question is to randomize kids, to telling this group of kids, &amp;quot;You just do your normal life,&amp;quot; tell this group of kids, &amp;quot;We
want you outside an hour,&amp;quot; this group of kids, &amp;quot;We want
you outside two hours a day,&amp;quot; this group of kids, &amp;quot;Three hours a day,&amp;quot; and see between the groups
is there a big difference? Like, we have pretty good evidence now from the studies that have been done that the difference between
zero and one or two hours is clearly there. Is five minutes enough?
is five hours better? I don&amp;#39;t think we know the
answers to those questions yet, like, what&amp;#39;s the right dose, but there&amp;#39;s probably at least
some dose dependence to that. And I can imagine it&amp;#39;s a little bit hard to tease apart the near-far
viewing from the indoor-outdoor, because yes, of course a child could be
outside on an iPad up close, but it&amp;#39;s hard to imagine
that at some point they aren&amp;#39;t seeing off into the distance, far viewing as it&amp;#39;s called, and the reverse is also true. If you&amp;#39;re indoors, unless you live in a very, very large home or you&amp;#39;re staring off a balcony, far viewing is much harder to achieve. Yeah, yeah.
So, it&amp;#39;s, and perhaps it isn&amp;#39;t important
to isolate these variables, although I can see the challenge in developing a really
good clinical trial, randomized clinical trial for this. Meanwhile, you know, I&amp;#39;m, I&amp;#39;ll go into the grave shouting, you know, or saying rather and suggesting that people get some morning
sunlight in their eyes to set their circadian rhythm, but far viewing at least a few minutes and ideally hours per day, or a mixture of near and far
viewing by being outdoors just seems like a good thing
to do regardless of age. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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