Macular degeneration eye disease is a progressive deterioration (breakdown of cells) of the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for fine vision.
Major risk factors for macular degeneration eye disease include age, gender (women are more at risk), family history of macular degeneration eye disease, smoking, long-term exposure to sunlight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Image: normal vision on the left and macular degeneration eye disease on the right (click image to enlarge).
How to Prevent Macular Degeneration Eye Disease with Diet
Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are associated with a lowered risk for macular degeneration eye disease. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. More importantly, some contain "non essential" food components, such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Apricots, carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, and pink grapefruit are excellent food sources of lycopene. Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin include spinach, collard greens, kale, corn, eggs, orange juice, broccoli, squash, and pumpkin.
According to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology (August 2001), omega-3 fatty acids, particularly those found in cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, haddock, and cod), can help prevent macular degeneration eye disease.
Limit saturated fats and avoid hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids.
How to Prevent Macular Degeneration Eye Disease with Herbs and Supplements
Ginkgo biloba, bilberry, and grape seed extracts are all rich in flavonoids. Besides having excellent antioxidant activity, all three of these extracts are known to increase blood circulation to the retina.
Vitamin C and E, powerful antioxidants, can protect tissues of the retina, improve eye health, and help in the prevention of macular degeneration eye disease.
Zinc is important in retinal function and can prevent deterioration of the macula. The elderly are particularly at risk for zinc deficiency and can benefit from taking zinc supplements.
Other Ways on How to Prevent Macular Degeneration Eye Disease
Don't smoke. Cigarette smoke is an oxidant that damages cells. People who smoke a pack of cigarettes or more per day have twice the risk of getting macular degeneration eye disease than those who never smoked.
Protect your eyes. Protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays can help in preventing macular degeneration eye disease. Wear sunglasses with UV protection when in the sun.
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