Bates Method – Part 1

For most people their sight is their most important sense.  This is probably due to the fact that about 80% of the information we take in via our sense is through our eyes.

If you have impaired vision as I do, we all know the standard options:

  1. Glasses
  2. Contact lens
  3. Laser Eye Surgery

There is one more option, the Bates Method that most people aren’t aware of.  Developed by a New York ophthalmologist he published his method in 1919 (yes 1919!).   People with

  • Myopia or short-sightedness
  • Hypermertropia or long-sightedness
  • Presbyopia or “old-age” sight i.e. loss of reading vision as you get older
  • Astigmatism

have all responded to the Bates Method.

In 1957, C A Hackett a Bates Method Teacher (the Bates Method is a instruction manual), analysed 10 years of her work in which she treated 2180 patients with problems with their eye sight.  She found 75%  achieved lasting improvement and 45% were able to do without their glasses completely.

Right now you are probably thinking, “if this is so great, why haven’t I heard of it before?”.  That’s a good question, and the answer probably is because it’s a way of re-educating your eyesight.   Which means it takes time and definitely isn’t a quick fix.

Related Posts

  • The low down on natural sugars – part 2, thumbs down list

    There are lots of "natural" sugars, and as I said before how do you know the ones to avoid?  Here is my guide to the ones I try to avoid and why. Evaporated Cane Juice The new kid on the block of "natural" sugars.  It is a sugar syrup from partially refined sugar which is very similar to ordinary sugar.  The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has warned of mislabelling with this product. Fructose This no longer has the goodness and fibre of fruit.  Unlike sucrose and glucose it won't spike your insulin levels, but it will cause weight gain around the middle.  It also interferes with the production of hormones related to hunger and satiety (feeling full) and hence increases appetite.  On top of this it gets converted to unhealthy fats e.g. LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides.  Remember fructose is fine when naturally occuring withing fruit but I recommend avoiding it when its a white powder added to food. Agave This is essentially up to 90% refined fructose (see above).  There is no way of distinguishing between commercially and traditionally produced produced products. Molasses This has the least amount of sugar and the highest level of vitamins and minerals.  Half its sugar content is fructose and glucose in equal amounts while the other half is sucrose.  So it will spike your insulin levels which causes the body to create fat.  It may contain high levels of pesticides and other chemicals use in the processing. Xylitol Sold as a white powder considered natural as it occurs in plants but needs a lot of refining.  Low in calories, it doesn't spike insulin levels so useful for diabetics.  It is on my avoid list because it requires a lot of processing to produce and because it ferments in the gut causing diarrhoea and bloating. Sorbitol Used in foods for diabetics at it triggers little or no insulin production.  I would avoid it as it is heavily processed as it is hard on the digestive system just like Xylitol. Honey A simple sugar up to 40% glucose and fructose so it affects your blood sugar levels very quickly.  If you must use it, I mix it with lemon and ginger when I have a sore throat, cold or flu then by organic and I perfer manuka for its healing properties. References Natural Alternatives to Sugar by Dr M Glenville (Lifestyle Press 2016)    

  • Here is why I bang on so much about good posture?

    I know that it may appear that I am getting on my soapbox, when I talk about posture.  So I thought it is worth explaining why. Good posture [...]

  • How to prevent gallstones

    Although no definite preventive technique for gallstone development has been discovered yet, research shows that there are ways people can lower their risk for these stones.

    Refrain From Taking These Medications

    If you are taking any of these medications, remember that the following can increase your risk for gallstones:
    Cholesterol-lowering drugs: Medicines like gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor) can increase your gallstone risk. Although they may decrease your blood cholesterol levels, these medicines can also increase the amount of cholesterol released in bile. Hormone therapy: HRT is a general term referring to the administration of estrogen or a combination of estrogen/progestin therapy. Increased estrogen levels can cause the body to produce more cholesterol and raise the levels of it in bile. As such, if you are a woman who is undergoing HRT or is taking high-dose birth control pills, talk to your doctor about your gallstone risk and ask if there are other hormone-related medications that are better for you.

    A Healthy Lifestyle Can Lower Your Gallstone Risk

    Decreasing your risk for gallstones begins with a healthy lifestyle, specifically by following these habits:
    Maintaining a healthy weight: People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of gallstones. Boost your diet with these foods:
    • Unlimited amounts of fresh, organic and vegetables, especially fiber-rich options (just make sure to introduce these foods slowly into your diet, since they can prompt digestive discomfort, especially in those who have had gallbladder surgery).
    • Moderate quantities of high-quality protein from meat ideally organic.
    • High portions of healthy fats from sources like avocados, coconut oil, organic butter, pastured egg yolks and raw nuts like macadamias, pecans and pine nuts.
    The following common practices can also raise your gallstone risk, so it's best to avoid them:
    • Skipping meals or fasting for long periods of time. As much as possible, try to stick to your usual mealtimes.
    • Following diets that promote rapid weight loss.  By rapid I mean aiming to lose more than 1 to 2 pounds, or 0.5 to 1 kilogram, per week.
    • Exercising regularly: Research shows that moderate physical activity can help with increasing the body’s levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) or “good” cholesterol.
    References