Recent evidence has highlighted that healthy dietary choices can significantly impact Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) risk and progression. AMD is one of the most common causes of vision loss in people aged 50 years and over – so it’s important to keep an eye on both your diet and lifestyle if you want to keep seeing clearly as you grow older.
Today, we’ll discuss how making some simple food swaps in a daily diet can make all the difference in the ability to continue maintaining optimal vision health into old age.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye disease affecting adults over 60. The macula, which is responsible for central vision, begins to break down and can lead to blurry, distorted, or low vision in the center of the field of vision. There are two types of AMD, dry and wet, with the latter being more severe. While there are treatments available for wet AMD, there is no cure for either type of AMD.
Risk factors for AMD include smoking, family history, and a diet lacking in nutrients like vitamins C and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Regular screenings and lifestyle changes can help to prevent, delay, or manage AMD. It’s important to take care of your eyesight as you age, and awareness of AMD is crucial.
Protecting Eyes from Damage
While there is no cure for AMD, experts agree that a healthy diet can help protect your eyes from further damage. Specifically, they recommend that people with AMD eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables daily. This is because these foods are rich in nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants and other beneficial compounds such as carotenoids. Carotenoids are chemicals that give plants their color, but they’re also antioxidants that may guard against vision damage caused by AMD.
And when it comes to fruits and vegetables, the darker the color, the better. So, be sure to load up on dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens, as well as brightly-colored fruits like berries, oranges, and mangoes. Incorporating these foods into your diet gives your eyes the vital nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.
While no specific diet is guaranteed to prevent or treat AMD, research suggests that a Mediterranean-style eating plan can be helpful. This eating pattern is characterized by abundant vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins while limiting red meat consumption. Studies have found that individuals who follow this type of diet are less likely to experience progression to advanced stages of AMD, making it an excellent guiding principle for those looking to optimize their eye health.
Protect Macular Health and Maintain Eyesight
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One of the primary causes of age-related vision loss is low levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. These natural pigments have been shown to protect the eye from oxidative damage caused by ultraviolet light and environmental factors. Some of the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin are available through food. However, sometimes a healthy diet may not provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to fight off the disease. That’s where extra supplementation comes in.
20/20 Vision contains 20 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin to help give your eyes the nutritional support they require. In addition to those two ingredients, this unique formula also contains various vitamins, minerals, and herbal ingredients to help support and maximize vision and eye health.
Numerous age-related conditions can have a negative impact on vision and eye health, so it is important to help support strong and healthy vision as you age. 20/20 Vision is an excellent solution for those who want to support eye health as they age.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
