Eyes Are Precious.

Taking preventative, long-term dietary measures to reduce the risk of eye-related diseases is proven. However, many fail to grasp that implementation is as important during preconception, pregnancy, and throughout early childhood as it is during adult life. Here are the most recent, well-researched tips to protect optimal eye health for a specific eye health issue, Macular Degeneration. However, these recommendations can also benefit other eye related problems.

• Manage Total Carbohydrate Intake and Type of Carbohydrates Consumed.
  
  
  • A high-glycemic-index diet is a risk factor for early Macular Degeneration. Low-glycemic-index foods may protect against early AMD. October 2008 Am J Clin Nut
  • Persons at risk of Macular Degeneration progression, especially those at high risk of advanced AMD, may benefit from consuming smaller amounts of refined carbohydrates. October 2007 Am J Clin Nut
  • According to a study in the July 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, heavy consumption of high glycemic foods increase the risk of age-related Macular Degeneration by as much as 40% (in those consuming the highest amount).
  • People whose diet consists of foods that lead to a high dietary glycemic index have a substantially higher risk of progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to recent long-term results from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). In fact, consumption of highly refined carbohydrates can lead to up to a 17% increased risk of AMD progression, according to data presented at the May 2007 annual meeting of the Association for Vision and Research in Ophthalmology (ARVO).

• Antioixidants a Plenty.
  
  
  • Eating plenty of antioxidant-rich food such as blueberries, artichokes and pecans may help protect against macular degeneration. Antioxidants disrupt a link between two processes in the retina that, in combination, contribute to macular degeneration. Antioxidants also extend the lifetime of irreplaceable photoreceptors and other retinal cells. September 2008 Journal of Biological Chemistry
  • Supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin is associated with a lower risk for age-related macular degeneration. The research was sponsored by the National Eye Institute under the umbrella of the National Institutes of Health. "Higher dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin was independently associated with decreased likelihood of having neovascular AMD, geographic atrophy, and large or extensive intermediate drusen," concluded the authors. September 2007 Archives of Ophthalmology
    
  • Through daily intake of 6-10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin, it is estimated that $3.6 billion could be saved over 5 years by helping people with age related macular degeneration avoid dependency. Across the five year period, approximately 190,927 individuals could avoid the transition to dependence either in the community or a nursing facility that would accompany a loss of central vision resulting from advanced AMD. The 2007 published study updated research conducted by The Lewin Group in 2004 and 2005 that included a systematic literature review of the most rigorous scientific research available.

• Imbalanced Omega 3:Omega 6 Ratio.
  
  
  • A May 2007 Archives of Opthamology study of 1,115 subjects did not have any symptoms of AMD. They were compared with those who did, including 658 individuals with severe (neovascular) AMD. The authors calculated that dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a 39 per cent reduction in neovascular AMD, while docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was associated with a 46 per cent reduction. Increased consumption of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) was associated with a 54 percent increase in neovascular AMD prevalence.
    
  • A July 2006 Archives of Ophthalmology study of 681 elderly American men showed that those who ate fish twice a week had a 36 percent lower risk of macular degeneration. In the other study, which followed 2,335 Australian men and women over five years, people who ate fish just once a week reduced their risk by 40 percent.
  • NOTE: we recommend Carlson Liquid Cod Liver Oil as the best source of omega 3s due to its naturally occurring vitamin A, D, and high concentration of EPA/DHA.
    

• Essential Vitamins and Minerals.
  
  
  • Researchers from an NIH-funded study that appeared in the March 2007 Archives of Opthamology suggest that persons older than 55 years found to be at risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration should consider taking a supplement of antioxidants plus zinc. Compared to placebo, the 3640 subjects used in the study demonstrated a statistically significant odds reduction. Participants received daily oral tablets containing: Vitamin C 500mg, Vitamin E 400IU, Beta Carotene 15 mg, Zinc 80 mg (NOTE: Bonnie never recommends more than 50 mg. total in supplements and diet daily because it can throw off iron and copper balance as well as weaken the immune system), Copper 2 mg
  • The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey focused on 7,752 individuals who had photographs taken of their retinas, questionnaires assessed dietary intakes, and blood samples were taken to calculate blood vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels. When participants were split into five groups based on the level of vitamin D in the blood, those in the highest group had a 40 percent lower risk of early Age-related Macular Degeneration than those in the lowest group. May 2007 Archives of Ophthalmology
  • According to the December 25, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, an eight-year study involved more than 4,000 older residents of Rotterdam, Netherlands found those whose diets included more than the median levels of vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc had a 35 percent lower risk of developing macular degeneration. Participants with a below-median consumption of all four of the nutrients had a 20 percent higher risk of macular degeneration.
  • According to Johns Hopkins Researchers, the only proven formula for prevention of age-related macular degeneration is a supplement containing vitamin E (400IU), together vitamin C, beta carotene, and small amounts of zinc and copper. The supplements reduce the likelihood of disease progression by 25% in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration. The supplement also reduced the risk of vision loss by 19% over five years in these patients. Archives Ophthamology February 2004
    

• Read Labels on Your Medications.
  
  
  • Pharmaceuticals, such as bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, may adversely affect eye health. If you have a family history of eye related disease, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist about the potential risk before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication.

• Reduce Food Chemical Consumption.
  
  
  • According to a report in New Scientist, in rats that were fed a high monosodium glutamate (MSG) diet, retinal nerve layers thinned by as much as 75%, as well as diminished visual acuity. The Japanese study appeared in Experimental Eye Research (vol. 75, p 307 2005)