How Nutritional Supplements Help Treat Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye disorder that affects cells in the part of the eye called the retina, thereby causing changes in vision. In those with macular degeneration, images that usually appear clear and sharp often become blurred at first, and then as the disease progresses, they can become distorted, enlarged, cloudy, dark, or spotted. The disease can result in severe loss of central vision.

Because people over 60 years old tend to have this eye disorder most often, macular degeneration is commonly referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There are two primary types of macular degeneration: wet and dry. The dry form is much more common, accounting for about 90 percent of all cases of macular degeneration. Wet macular degeneration is more severe and leads to worsened vision loss.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in adults over 60. The number of people with macular degeneration symptoms living in the U.S. is expected to double to nearly 22 million adults by the year 2050, mostly due to the growing population of people over 65.

Research suggests that no matter what your age, increasing your intake of vitamins and foods that protect the eyes might significantly decrease your chances of developing macular degeneration. In addition to adding eye-protecting foods to your diets — such as brightly colored veggies, omega-3 fats, and berries — keeping up with other healthy habits like exercising, protecting your eyes from the sun, and quitting smoking can also help preserve your eyesight.

What Supplements Could Help Treat, and Potentially Even Prevent, Macular Degeneration?

There are a variety of supplements that experts believe could be beneficial in treating macular degeneration and could even help slow or halt its development altogether. All these supplements have been shown to specifically benefit eye health. They include:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 is a type of fatty acid that our body needs to be healthy but cannot produce itself. This means that we need to get Omega-3 through our diet and supplements. Studies have suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids may not only help protect the eyes from macular degeneration, but they could also help to improve and prevent glaucoma and dry eye syndrome. Foods containing high amounts of Omega-3 include oily fish such as sardines. However, it can be difficult to get enough Omega-3 through food alone, so supplementing is often necessary to achieve optimal levels in the body. It is important to take a high-quality, absorbable omega supplement with no additives or contaminants.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known for having many health benefits, but many people are surprised to learn that it is also good for our eye health. Vitamin C promotes the health of the blood vessels throughout the entire body, including those that serve the retina. Vitamin C is also necessary to produce collagen, which is crucial for eye health too. You can get Vitamin C in many different foods including citrus fruits, tomatoes, and even potatoes. However, many people choose to boost their Vitamin C intake in supplement form.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our bodies against damaging free radicals which have been shown to break down healthy eye tissue, which is something that occurs in age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin E is found in nuts, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale. However, you can increase the amount of Vitamin E your body receives by choosing to take supplements.

Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoid antioxidants that have important anti-inflammatory properties. Carotenoids are responsible for the bright colors of fruits and vegetables, but they are also greatly beneficial for your eye health.

Research shows that some of the benefits of taking Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin include:
 

• Suppression of inflammation
   

• Defense against damaging oxidative stress
   

• Improves the sharpness of your vision
   

• Reduce cell loss
   

• Protect eyes from UV damage
   

• Defense against blue light
   

• Although they can be found in many foods, taking a nutritional supplement that contains all three carotenoids is advised to ensure adequate amounts are consumed every day.
   

• Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral for eye health because it enables Vitamin A to travel from the liver to the retina to produce melanin. Melanin is a pigment that helps to protect the eyes against UV damage from the sun and is particularly important on those days when you may forget to wear sunglasses, or do not think that they are necessary (when in fact, UV light is emitted by the sun all the time, even on cloudy days). Zinc can be found in meat, shellfish, nuts, seeds, and eggs amongst other produce, but taking supplements can ensure that your zinc levels are high enough to afford your eyes protection against many eye diseases, including macular degeneration.

Copper

Copper is another important mineral, and although it is only needed in very small amounts, getting enough copper into your body is essential for healthy eyes. It acts as an antioxidant, encourages the development of collagen-rich, connective tissues for proper eye structure formation, and has been shown to help reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration. You can boost your copper intake by eating more liver, oyster, and dark chocolate, but supplements are also readily available.

Many other lifestyle modifications can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, including limiting processed and high sugar foods and drinks including alcohol, smoking cessation, maintaining healthy body weight and optimal metabolic health, wearing quality UV light protection outdoors, and blue light protection while using computer screens and devices.

If you would like more advice about taking nutritional supplements to boost your eye health, including which supplements you should take to keep macular degeneration at bay, visit Perceptions Eye Health & Wellness in Southport, North Carolina. Call 910-400-1215 today.