Vitamins for Macular Degeneration
- Which ones work?

Taking vitamins for Macular Degeneration is an emerging trend in the optical industry and of great interest in the community. An ongoing National Eye Institute study (AREDS) has produced strong evidence that certain vitamins such as beta carotene (vitamin A) and vitamins C and E may help prevent or slow progression of dry macular degeneration.

The ARED(Age Related Eye Disease) Study shows that taking the right dose of certain vitamins for macular degeneration can reduce the risk of early stage MD progressing to late stage by up to 25 percent.

The reports from Phase one of the ARED Study were released in 2001. These showed significant benefit from taking zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamins A, C and E, as vitamins for macular degeneration.

These nutrients help reduce the risk for MD or slow down the progression of dry macular degeneration. Macular Degeneration Supplements using the AREDS formula are now widely available commercially.

Phase two of the ARED Study began in late 2005 to evaluate whether similar protective effects against Macular Degeneration might be associated with other nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids or "good fats," along with lutein and zeaxanthin found in green, leafy vegetables, rather than in lutein supplements.

Where do I find these nutrients?

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein for eyes is normally present in high concentrations in the macula of the eye and needs to be frequently replenished from the diet. Lutein and zeazanthin are frequently found together in any food containing lutein.

Found in foods such as: Kale, Spinach, silverbeet, and turnip greens, collards, green peas, broccoli sweetcorn and egg yolk.

Also available in supplement form.

Vitamin C

Found in citrus fruit, blueberries, broccoli, potatoes, capsicum (pepper) and tomatoes.

Vitamin E

Found in nuts, wheat germ, whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

Zinc

Found in meat, seafood (esp oysters), seeds, nuts and whole grains.

Vitamin A from beta carotene

Found in red and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, capsicum (peppers), mangoes, papaya, pumpkin and green leafy vegetables spinach and kale.

The body converts the beta carotene gained from the diet into Vitamin A.

People who smoke, have lung cancer or asbestosis should not take any supplement containing beta-carotene. It has been deliberately left out of some supplements for this reason. Consult your doctor for advice before taking a supplement.

What about Blueberries?

Blueberries are high in vitamin C and therefore helpful for the eyes. They are also high in anthocyanins, which are good for the body as an antioxidant to help reduce damage to the body by "free radicals".

What about Bilberry? Bilberry is a variant of blueberry.

What about Goji Berries? These are great - a natural source of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, zinc, selenium and vitamin C !! They taste delicious coated in dark chocolate.

They are very popular in health food shops but have not yet been studied in relationship to Macular Degeneration nutrition. However, they contain a lot of the nutrients that have already been studied in supplement form.

What sort of fish? Any sort is good - fresh, frozen or tinned.

Oily fish like tuna, salmon and sardines are especially good sources of Omega 3.

Should I cook vegetables or eat them raw?

Shredding or finely chopping them and cooking with a small amount of olive oil improves your body's ability to absorb more nutrients from them to gain the most macular degeneration nutrition.

Which nuts?

The studies have not yet shown which is best. Unroasted brazil nuts, walnuts and almonds are high in essential fatty acids, so I would start there.

If you have trouble eating nuts whole, crush them and sprinkle on your cereal. Or make a dip out of crushed nuts and olive oil to have on crusty bread! Yum!

What about seeds?

Nutritionists often recommend seeds such as flax seeds (linseed) due to their essential fatty acid content. These have not yet been studied in relation to vitamins for Macular Degeneration, so their contribution is unknown.

Need help to get it all in your diet?

A new cookbook has recently been produced to assist those wanting to eat in such a way as to include naturally occurring vitamins for macular degeneration. It incorporates all the elements known to be protective of the retina into everyday foods. Titled "Eating for Eye Health" by Ita Butrose and Vanessa Jones. It can be purchased from the Macular Degeneration Foundation of Australia

Protect from UV damage

Eye doctors also recommend that dry MD patients wear sunglasses with UV protection against potentially harmful effects of the sun. This side of things is still under research - does UV exposure increase the risk of Macular Degeneration? I'd rather not wait to see the results; I prefer to wear sunglasses anyway!