We know that it's important to eat right and exercise to care for our bodies. We buy special products and take care of our skin. Brushing and flossing take care of our teeth. But what about our eyes? It's just as important to guard our eye health -- Revolution Health gives us six simple tips for healthy vision:

• Good nutrition. Inflammation is the root cause of many eye disorders, so opt for anti-inflammatory foods when possible. Avoid red meat, choose fish and other products that are rich in omega-3s, and choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (avoid saturated fats as much as possible). Also eat lots of green, leafy veggies -- they're high in lutein which is important for eye health.
  
• Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that have 100% UV protection. It can also be helpful to wear a wide-brimmed hat when at the beach or other sunny spots.
  
• Exercise. Moderate exercise has been proven to reduce intraocular pressure, a causative factor for glaucoma.
  
• Don't smoke. Smoking doesn't just damage the lungs -- it also damages blood vessels which, in turn, can deprive the eyes of much-needed oxygen.
• Minimize eye strain. Position your computer monitor properly (not too close and a bit below eye level) and use a glare guard.
  
• Have regular eye exams. Even if your vision isn't impaired, it's important to visit an eye doctor regularly. (Many people go annually, but you can ask your doctor what intervals he/she recommends.)

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In an odd bit of news, a new study demonstrated this week that a lowering of income has a direct, inflammatory effect on the body. Sounds psychologically complex, yes?

The new study refutes earlier studies that tie a lower socioeconomic status to more heart disease.

Poor diet and lack of exercise are being blamed for more inflammatory molecules in the blood, with diet and weight gain associated with that diet being the top factors noted in the study.

Then again, there are plenty of folks with a large income that have horrible diets as well -- it's just less likely.

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Research shows that inflammation in the body, specifically chronic systemic inflammation, can contribute to all kinds of problems including heart disease, depression, and yes -- weight.

The scary part about inflammation is that it's sneaky, and you may be doing things that cause it and not even realize. Bad health habits like living a stressful life, smoking, not getting enough sleep, eating an imbalanced diet, and even obesity can all make inflammation worse.

As far as how and why inflammation makes losing weight so difficult could be any number of factors, one of which is that it's known to have a negative influence on the body's ability to respond to the hormone leptin. Click here for more detailed information, and for info on following an anti-inflammatory diet.

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17-year-old Arielle Newman died in April from what is now being described as an over-dose of anti-inflammatory muscle cream. As a cross country track runner for Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, NY, her body absorbed high levels of the active ingredient commonly found in anti-inflammatory sports products such as Bengay and Icy Hot: methyl salicylate. Ms. Newman was reportedly using the cream frequently along with up to two other products containing the ingredient.

Methyl salicylate poisoning is extremely rare and doctors aren't sure if it was due to overuse or simply that her body absorbed an abnormal amount of the chemical. The makers of Bengay, Johnson & Johnson, have expressed their condolences to the family and are reminding consumers about "the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use."

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