An Eye on Nutrition Guards Against Macular Degeneration
Wendy Maurice, Lighthouse International
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
People with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the country's most common cause of vision loss, can live full, satisfying lives with professional guidance, the use of appropriate adaptive and low vision devices, and by practicing an ongoing wellness program, including proper diet and exercise. Dr. Bruce Rosenthal, Lighthouse International, advises persons at risk for macular degeneration to initiate a nutritionally beneficial diet.
Dr. Rosenthal offers the following practical nutritional recommendations to help decrease
your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
- Consult your eyecare physician before embarking on a vitamin supplement program. Antioxidant vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and zinc slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to an age-related eye disease study (AREDS), conducted by the National Eye Institute.
- Stop smoking. Smoke restricts the blood flow and interferes with the eye's ability to cleanse waste matter. Smokers have a 50 percent greater risk of developing advanced AMD than
people who do not smoke.
- Maintain a diet low in fat for good eye health. A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet can lead to
fatty plaque deposits in the macular vessels, which can hamper blood flow and increase
the risk of AMD.
- It's not just carrots. Other good foods to eat for the eye include: corn, kiwi, pumpkin, zucchini squash, yellow squash, red grapes, green peas, cucumber, butternut squash, green bell pepper, celery, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and dried apricots.
- Eat the freshest and brightest fruits and vegetables. Pick the most colorful vegetables and fruits you can find - red, dark green, orange, or yellow. These foods play a key role in keeping your eye healthy.
- Eat the dark green leafy vegetables. These vegetables include spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation, headquartered in New York.
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