Macular Degeneration Nutrition Education

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Macular degeneration nutrition and the importance of proper supplemental nutrition has never been downplayed. Thanks to medical science, research and the multi-media; people are learning about the significance of good nutrition more than ever before.

What is Macular Degeneration Nutrition?

Good nutrition prevents and treats numerous medical conditions. To get the ample doses of the vitamins and minerals, the diet should be rich in vegetables, grains, nuts, fruits, and fish. Nutrition for macular degeneration prevention includes a variety of leafy greens and fruits rich in vitamin c and betacarotene, which greatly reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration or AMD.

Several recent nutrition studies indicated a strong link between nutrition and arresting the development of macular degeneration. It has been scientifically demonstrated that people with diets high in fruits and vegetables (especially leafy green vegetables) have a lower incidence of macular degeneration, yet more studies are needed to determine if nutritional supplements can prevent progression in patients with existing disease.

If you hate vegetables, it’s time to change your attitude. Listed below are the vegetables and fruits that combat the progress of the disease or prevent the disease from occurring but the vegetables yield more nutrients if eaten raw and boiled without salt.

* Kale

* Turnip greens and collards

* Spinach

* Peas

* Lettuce

* Broccoli

* Carrots

* Beans

* Papaya

* Melons

* Corn

* Oranges

* Tangerine

* Grapefruit

* Peaches

* Celery

Should You Avoid Carbohydrates?

Macular degeneration nutrition does not approve certain types of carbohydrates from white bread and dark rye bread, ice cream and chocolate bars, and breakfast cereals.

Food with higher glycemic index encourages the increase of blood sugar, which contributes to the development of the eye disorder.

If your parents and grandparents have AMD, then by all means, limit your intake of carbohydrates. With the help of a doctor you can prune down your carbohydrate and prevent development of the AMD.

What is the Value of Antioxidants?

Antioxidants lower the risk of some neurological and heart diseases and there is evidence that certain types of fruits and vegetables protect against certain cancers.

Antioxidants have also been observed to prevent AMD because of their action on the retina of the human eye; eating a lot of fruits and vegetable does not do any harm, but good, to prevent AMD and other disorders.

For macular degeneration, patients are advised to eat more food rich in carotenoids and zeaxanthin because these substances naturally occur in the macula.

Carotenoids give that color to fruits – oranges, papaya, peaches etc. The more serving of fruit you have daily, you get more protection against AMD.


Are Vitamins Effective Against AMD?

It is not clear how vitamins and minerals prevent AMD. But studies have shown that Vitamin B6 and B12 and Vitamin C can do much to prevent this degenerative eye disorder.

To get the proper doses of vitamins to prevent macular degeneration, it is advised to take 500 mg of Vitamin C, 15 mg. of beta carotene, 400 IU of Vitamin E, 80 mg of zinc, and 2 mg of cupric oxide.

To prevent AMD, go for macular degeneration nutrition and in-between protect your eyes from the sun’s UVB and UV rays with protective sunglasses for the purpose and exercise vigorously daily. As always, good nutrition plus daily exercise keep you in shape and healthy.

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