Eye Problems: New Science for AMD Macular Health, Cataracts, Glaucoma and Macular DegenerationBest to eat better for eye health than to take eye vitamins, according to new studies: • Most of us know that what we eat can affect our waistline, arteries and even our brain. But new research about disease prevention and adult eye problems is showing that eating the right foods can preserve vision as you age, and even stop Macular Degeneration, AMD, sometimes even dissolve cataracts, act as cataract prevention and help correct glaucoma. • A landmark study in 2001 found that those taking high doses of antioxidants and zinc in supplements reduced the risk of macular degeneration progressing to its advanced form by 25%. • Now researchers have found that by boosting antioxidants using normal dietary foods this risk can be reduced even further to 35%! • People are now successfully improving their eye problems such as AMD Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma and dissolving their cataracts by using both diet and nutritional supplements such as nutraceuticals. (Nutraceuticals are foods supplements that have been clinically shown to be effective.) Vision Loss NOT Inevitable With AgingDutch researchers sought to determine if beta carotene, vitamin C and E and zinc as these are present in normal daily foods, could prevent age related macular degeneration, AMD in healthy older adults.The researchers followed 4,170 adults, 55 or older for an average of eight years and found that those who consumed greater amounts of vitamin E and zinc were about 10% less likely to develop eye problems like macular degeneration. • They also found that the higher the intake the better – that consuming a higher than average amount of all four nutrients offered the greatest protection, with a 35% reduced risk of developing AMD. • Other studies have also found that getting antioxidants from food is more effective than from supplements such as vitamin pills. How to Eat for Best Vision & Avoiding Eye ProblemsOther studies also show that a regular intake of fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables can help prevent macular degeneration, whereas consuming too much fat, alcohol and too many baked goods can increase one’s risk.The following foods can help keep your vision sharp: • for vitamin E, nuts, seeds, wheat germ, avocado, whole grains and kale • for vitamin C add citrus fruit, kiwi, green peppers, broccoli and tomato juice • beta carotene is plentiful in bright orange and dark green produce such as carrots, sweet potato, winter squash, peaches, cantaloupe, kale and spinach. Foods with Lutein, Zinc and Fish for Better EyesStudies have also found that people who get the most LUTEIN from their diet have a 20% lower risk of cataract compared to those who consume the least.• LUTEIN is found mostly in fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens e.g. kale, Swiss Chard, green peas, broccoli, romaine lettuce, nectarines and oranges. The human body is better able to absorb eye-healthy lutein from EGGS than from other dietary sources, according to a study by the ARS of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. • EGGS are an inexpensive source of highly bioavailable lutein. Federal surveys report the average American consumes only about two mg of lutein daily, but a salad of one egg and one cup of spinach would easily double that by providing the equivalent of about four milligrams of lutein. ZINC may also guard against macular degeneration by nourishing cells in the retina. Zinc is also used by many enzymes important to the eye. The best food sources include lean meat, poultry, fish, seafood, whole grains, wheat bran, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, egg yolks, legumes and dairy products. • Adding FISH to your diet is advisable. An Australian study found that among 3,654 people with macular degeneration, those who ate fish more than once a week were half as likely to have late-stage eye problems like macular degeneration. • The human eye contains a high proportion of OMEGA-3 fats, especially DHA, which is abundant in fish and seafood. The best sources are salmon, trout, sardines anchovies and herring. New Discovery: Stopping AMD Macular DegenerationWhy are researchers and some doctors now saying that Macular Degeneration can be "stopped in its tracks?"• Because scientific studies leave little doubt that damage due to OXIDATIVE STRESS causes degeneration of the eyes, and studies also show that this can be stopped. Using antioxidants in fruits and vegetables is key, but there is also another discovery of the body’s MASTER ANTIOXIDANT that is important for people that are developing eye problems such as Macular Degeneration. What Best Protects Against Oxidative Damage?Researchers around the world have observed that oxidative stress results in low glutathione levels, a molecule made by the body that protects the eyes.• Experiments have been conducted to test glutathione's antioxidant function in the whole body and in the eyes of patients suffering from macular degeneration. S.M. Cohen and his team at the University of California (Davis) found significantly altered glutathione GSH activity in blood samples of macular degeneration patients. • Other scientists at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta have concluded that: “therapeutic or nutritional intervention to enhance GSH antioxidant capacity may provide AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT OR TREAT Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” • Stopping damage with this protective molecule, is, according to researchers, your best bet as a Macular Degeneration treatment. • If you have been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration you will want to use a Nutraceutical that is listed in the U.S. Physician's Desk Reference, the PDR, that has been clinically proven to raise GSH, or glutathione. Recommendation for GSH Nutraceutical for Eye Problems:Popeye' Spinach Trumps Bugs Bunny's CarrotsWhen it comes to your eyes, although carrots are good for your eyes, they're not as powerful as spinach.• Research shows that more protective benefits come from the lutein found in spinach than the beta carotene found in carrots. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are antioxidant carotenoids that are a critical part of the macular pigment that protects the retina from degeneration. • Zeaxanthin can be made by the body from Lutein, which acts as “natural sunglasses” in its ability to protect the eyes from radiation damage by acting as an optical filter. Lutein is found in: kale, spinach, collards, Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce, Beet and Mustard Greens, Endive, as well as in: Egg yolks, red peppers, corn, beetroots, okra, leeks, celery, Brussels sprouts, Pumpkin and peas. The typical North American diet often does not supply adequate amounts of lutein-rich vegetables for proper ocular nutrition. How Broccoli Protects Your Eyes Against UV Damage!Sulphoraphane, a compound found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts, has been found to protect the retina against eye problems caused by oxidative damage.• Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say that sulphoraphane could have significant benefits OVER the CATEGORY LEADER, LUTEIN, because: 1) Antioxidants such vitamin C and E, and compounds such as lutein react with free radicals directly, but once they have reacted, they have to be regenerated. 2) Sulphoraphane does not work directly on free radicals. Instead, it up-regulates or BOOSTS THE DEFENCE SYSTEM, letting the body itself fight free radicals.” All About Sprouts and Broccoli Sprouts Protecting Against Macular DegenerationBoth SULPHORAPHANE and GLUTATHIONE have the following advantages over other antioxidants:• These compounds not only protect against eye problems but also every part of the body. • They also tend to last longer in the body, and glutathione makes other antioxidants such as vitamin E and C more effective. Research on sulphoraphane is still in the early stages, and doses have not been established to prevent eye problems, although broccoli sprouts have been found to provide 20 times the concentration of sulphoraphane than adult broccoli. On the other hand, the PROTECTIVE ROLE of glutathione is well established. Again, there is no vitamin pill or pill that works to improve glutathione levels. But there are nutraceuticals with cysteine-rich protein that have been clinically shown to improve glutathione. Lutein and Zeaxanthin Better in Foods than in PillsLutein and Zeaxanthin are antioxidant carotenoids that are a critical part of the macular pigment that protects the retina from degeneration causing eye problemsLutein is supplied by the diet, in particular through: • LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES, such as kale, spinach, collards, Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce, Beet and Mustard Greens, Endive, as well as in: Egg yolks, red peppers, corn, beetroots, okra, leeks, celery, Brussels sprouts, Pumpkin and peas. The typical North American diet often does not supply adequate amounts of lutein-rich vegetables to protect against eye problems. • Although lutein supplements and vitamins can also protect against eye problems, eating more leafy green vegetables and eggs has many more overall health benefits along with preventing eye problems such as Macular Degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Why? Vitamins & Lutein Supplements ConfusionAdding to the confusion, when antioxidants are taken out of food and put into supplements, there is no guarantee that they will continue to act as antioxidants.High doses of beta carotene supplements, for instance, may have varying effects depending on a person’s intake of other antioxidants: HIGH DOSES of the supplement seems to DECREASE the absorption of LUTEIN, the yellow pigment or carotenoid associated with a reduced risk of developing the eye problems that are the leading cause of blindness in the elderly: cataracts and Macular Degeneration. But in food, carotenoids enhance each other, so that the LUTEIN found in produce like: • dark leafy greens • avocados and • kiwis is a more powerful defender against disease when consumed with lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes -- for best protection against eye problems. Glutathione Pills Don't Work EitherEven though GLUTATHIONE pills are sold in health food stores, they do not work either.Why? Glutahtione is a protein, and it gets digested and does not enter the blood stream and get to the eyes and elsewhere. The body has to make this "Master Antioxidant" in the eyes itself for best protection. How can this be done? You must take the nutritional pre-cursors to effectively raise your glutathione, the master antioxidant in your eyes. The best way to supply the needed pre-cursors are to take a cysteine-rich protein that has been clinically proven to improve glutathione throughout the body. Recommendations for Stopping AMD, Cataracts and Glaucoma:Links: Solving Eye Problems such as AMD with Nutrition -- Ocular Nutrition:• Ocular Nutrition Discoveries Against Age Related Degeneration • Overcoming Macular Degeneration, by Yale Solomon, MD • The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight • The Latest Scientific Discoveries and For Eye Problems and Preserving Your Sight • Healing Eyes the Natural Way: Alternate Medicine and Macular Degeneration • The Physicians Eye Care Center Resource Ocular Nutrition: Supplements or Vitamins for Eye Problems, AMD Macular Degeneration Treatment, Glaucauma, Cataracts?
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