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Three Nutrients That Protect Against Vision Loss
By Victor Marchione, M.D. on 07/03/2011
Macular degeneration is a serious disease. It affects over 10 million Americans, most of whom are 55 and older. In fact, this eye disease affects more people than glaucoma and cataracts combined.
Sight is with us from the moment we wake up to the moment we sleep. It is something people depend on in their daily lives. Unfortunately, it's a fact that, as we age, our eyesight begins to deteriorate. Researchers have made strides in recent years to delay this loss of sight and are constantly searching for alternative cures that could beat macular degeneration.
It's good news then that a new study has found a simple, safe cure without prescription side effects. According to a team of scientists from the Netherlands, people with a genetic susceptibility to macular degeneration could cut their risk of developing the disease by as much as one-third.
Age-related macular degeneration accounts for half of all cases of blindness in developed countries, the researchers note. In the United States, the condition occurs in more than six out of every 100 adults over age 40(!). Though patients can be treated with medications and surgery, none of these remedies cures the disease.
Who is likely to get macular degeneration? There are at least two gene variations known to raise a person's risk for developing the condition compared to the general population. One of the variations (called "CFH") increases a person's odds of macular degeneration up to 11-fold and another (called "LOC387715S") raises them by up to 15-fold.
For their study, the researchers set out to see whether these especially susceptible people might reduce their risk. They surveyed the eating habits of more than 2,000 participants over the age of 55. All were tested for the macular degeneration susceptibility genes. For the next 10 years, all the participants had eye exams every three years to determine who suffered vision loss.
The research team found that, among people with the CFH variation, greater amounts of zinc, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids and/or lutein/zeaxanthin in the diet were linked to a smaller risk of macular degeneration.
How much smaller was the risk? Consider these statistics: 39 out of every 100 people who ate the lowest amounts of omega-3 fats (about 22 milligrams per day) developed vision loss. Contrast this with only 28 out of every 100 people who ate the largest amounts of omega-3s (268 mg per day) who ended up experiencing vision loss. For those who had the genetic variation, reduced risk of vision loss was seen among 25% of people who ate 11.85 mg per day of zinc, compared to 33% of people who ate just 7.5 mg per day.
Here's some health advice: boost your diet with zinc, omega-3s and lutein and zeaxanthin. Good sources for zinc include these healing foods: oysters; red meat; nuts; and beans. Oily fish are some of the best food sources for omega-3 fats. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in eggs and green leafy vegetables.
Printer-friendly versionAbout the author
Dr. Victor Marchione received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1973 and his Medical Degree from the University of Messina in 1981. He has been licensed and practicing medicine in New York and New Jersey for over 20 years.
Dr. Marchione is a respected leader in the field of smoking cessation and pulmonary medicine. He has been featured on ABC News and World Report, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and the NBC Today Show and is the editor of the popular The Food Doctor newsletter.
Dr. Marchione has also served as Principal Investigator in at least a dozen clinical research projects relating to serious ailments such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Comments
Whitecracka
What about Alpha lipoic acid I take 600 mg a day for my cataracts.
Bernice
I take all the above things,but still am having such difficulties. 4 yrs. ago right eye vitreous gel sack,literally all at once exploded(for lack of a better word,but that is what it felt like).
A year and half later had the debrie removed,then within a month a cataract developed and it grew rapidly. A yr.plus later,had that removed,and a new lense put in. Now,the opthamologist discovered macular degeneration in the right eye.
Also find that the left eye had a cataract. That was removed quickly,but within 9 days,the vitreous gel sack broke. So now the vision is good,but so many large chunks of gel floating and the optha. will not take the stuff out as he says it will cause too much damage.
Meanwhile I seem to be losing vision in the right eye,with occassionally severse,sudden pain racing through.
Prior to all this,in 1994,the right retina began to detach,so that was lasered back.
The opthamologist told me to be prepared for the left retina to start. detaching.
I was only 50 when the vitrous gel sack in the right eye broke. The opthamologist didn't say it was age related MD.
Does anyone have any ideas,or been through any of this stuff?I have been near sighted since 8 yrs. of age,with a last reading of -9 in left eye and -10. in right eye. With the new lenses,from the cataract surgery the vision is so much better,but I fear it isn't lasting and so obstructed.
Thanks so much for any info.
Anonymous
Bernice-"Does anyone have any ideas,or been through any of this stuff? Thanks so much for any info."
Hi Bernice. Please read Suzanne Somers book "Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness". She interviews 8 different physicians about different health problems and eye issues are one mentioned in this book.
Another thing that might be aggravating your eye issues are:
On the Use of Products Containing Aspartame (NutraSweet) by Persons with Eye Problems
by H. J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P.
Professional Opinion
It is my opinion that individuals who consume products containing aspartame, including drugs and supplements, should avoid them when no specific cause can be found for the eye problems:
Decreased vision -- including blindness in one or both eyes
Blurring, "bright-flashes", tunnel vision, "black spots"
Double vision
Pain in one or both eyes
Decreased tears
Difficulty wearing contact lens
Unexplained retinal detachment and bleeding
www.i-see.org/aspartame_eye.html
Best of luck.
Anonymous
Bernice
Thank you Anonymous,I appreciate your words.
I will definitely get Suzanne Somers book.
Aspartame,,,,,,I took that and MSG out of my diet almost 20 yrs ago. I was having migraines and traced them to aspartame and msg. They are both such horrible stuff for the body,physically and mentally. As far as I am concerned both should be outlawed.
In your professional opinion, Do you think what I am going through now,could be attributed to use of aspartame that many year ago? and MSG?
Hope you atill watching this page.
Many thanks again for the info
Gratefully
Bernice
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