Eye Vitamins for Macular Degeneration: Know the Right Combination
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss among people 50 or above.
AMD only affects the central vision and doesn’t cause complete blindness.
About 8 out of 10 people suffer from Dry Macular Degeneration.
Once diagnosed, it cannot be cured but can only be treated and slowed down.
Dietary supplements, especially vitamins, are known to help people with AMD.
To know more about Eye Vitamins for Macular Degeneration, continue reading this article.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for regulating AMD.
It is significantly less likely to happen if you include the following in your diet or take supplements.
You can take the following vitamins for Macular Degeneration individually or in combination to fulfill the body’s nutritional requirements.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for preserving vision.
Research conducted on the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that increased dietary intake of Vitamin A decreased the risk of AMD.
Animal-based foods, fruits, and vegetables are natural sources of Vitamin A.
These include:
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Fish oils
- Milk and yogurt
- Fortified foods
- Liver and liver products
You can also include a good source of beta-carotene in your diet to get Vitamin A.
You can obtain it from the following sources:
- Red, yellow, and green leafy vegetables, such as carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and red peppers
- Yellow fruit, such as papaya, mango, and apricots
Vitamin E
Including Vitamin E in your diet is another way to reduce the risk of AMD.
It is an effective antioxidant and micronutrient.
A deficiency of Vitamin E could result in retinal damage and a loss of photoreceptors.
Studies have found a negative correlation between the consumption of Vitamin E and ARMD.
Hence, it is safe to say that including Vitamin E in your diet can help to reduce the risk of Macular Degeneration.
You can find vitamin E in oils from plants, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
Some good sources of Vitamin E include:
- Wheat germ oil
- Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Peanuts, peanut butter
- Beet greens, collard greens, spinach
- Pumpkin
- Red bell pepper
- Asparagus
- Mango
- Avocado
Vitamin K2
Among other vitamins for Macular Degeneration, Vitamin K2 claims to prevent and treat AMD effectively.
It is suggested to be used preferably in combination with Vitamin D, Zinc, or Magnesium.
However, the dosage of the vitamins needs to be prescribed by your doctor to ensure you get an optimal amount of nutrients.
Food products rich in Vitamin K2 are:
- Natto
- Eel
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Butter
- Sauerkraut
- Beef liver
- Egg yolk
Also Read: Go through the article, Which Eye Vitamin is Best for Macular Degeneration?
Nutrients and Minerals
Apart from Vitamins, some nutrients and minerals can also help to treat AMD and prevent it from worsening.
Given here are some such examples.
Selenium
Selenium is a well-known antioxidant.
It is a trace element that can be found in various enzymes of the body that help make the DNA.
A 2019 study has shown that Selenium alone or combined with Vitamin E may prevent AMD.
Zinc
The ocular tissue, specifically the retina, has Zinc in them.
This is a reason that taking Zinc might aid in retinal health.
A 2016 study by Aoki et al. reported that consuming a high dosage of zinc supplements (80 mg) could reduce the risk of neovascular AMD progression.
Another study by Vishwanathan et al. reported that Zinc treatment effectively prevents AMD progression to an advanced stage.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins (ACN) are pigments present in plants. The color of the pigments is red-purple.
Anthocyanins have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Plants produce these.
They attract insects to flowers to help pollinate and herbivore animals for seed dispersal.
They also protect plant cells from damage caused by UV light.
Bilberry Anthocyanin extract has proven to be effective in preventing or reducing the risk of AMD.
Some food items containing Anthocyanins include:
- Black plums
- Cherries
- Black and red grapes
- Pomegranates
- Red cabbage
- Red onions
- Red radishes
- Black beans
- Black rice
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a class of naturally occurring pigments that plants, algae, and some bacteria synthesize.
Xanthophylls are compounds that belong to the Carotenoid group, which includes Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
They are rich in antioxidants and accumulate in the lens of the eye and macular region of the retina.
They also have photoprotective functions.
Combined, these are thought to help prevent the onset and progression of AMD.
You can find Lutein in food products in appreciable amounts. However, Zeaxanthin is found in minute quantities only.
Some fruits and vegetables containing either or both Xanthophylls include:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Egg yolk
- Parsley
- Orange pepper
- Lettuce
- Asparagus
- Maize
- Orange juice
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Carotenoid vitamin therapies could be used as a supplement to other treatments for AMD.
Also Read: You can go through the article, What Foods Should be Avoided With Macular Degeneration?
Do not take these supplements without your doctor’s approval.
AREDS2
AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) was conducted by the National Eye Institute in 2001.
A follow-on study, called the AREDS2, was then conducted in 2006.
These studies aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional supplements on the progression and development of AMD.
A combination of supplements was prescribed for people with AMD.
Based on the results of this study, a new and improved formulation of supplements was introduced.
This formulation lowered the risk of wet AMD.
Here are two formulations of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for Macular Degeneration:
Nutrient | AREDS | AREDS2 |
---|---|---|
Vitamin C | 500 mg | 500mg |
Vitamin E | 400IU | 400IU |
Beta-carotene | 15 mg | – |
Lutein | – | 10mg |
Zeaxanthin | – | 2 mg |
Copper (as cupric oxide) | 2mg | 2mg |
Zinc | 80mg | 80mg |
Beta-carotene was removed from the new formulation because the trials of AREDS showed an increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoked.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin belong to the same group of nutrients as Beta-carotene and are not associated with cancer risk.
Takeaway
Age-related Macular Degeneration is an eye condition that affects central vision.
Since treatment plans to reverse AMD are not known, it becomes essential to diagnose it timely.
Combining minerals and vitamins for Macular Degeneration can help to treat or slow the condition’s progression.
Consult your doctor to know the best treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vitamins for Macular Degeneration work?
AREDS and AREDS2 by NEI have established the use of dietary supplements to slow the progression of AMD. It suggests a combination of specific amounts of minerals and vitamins for Macular Degeneration.
Can eye vitamins reverse macular degeneration?
No, currently, there is no proven way to reverse the damage that has been caused to the vision due to AMD. However, if diagnosed timely, you can treat and prevent it from progressing.
Is there a permanent cure for Macular Degeneration?
No, there is no cure for Macular Degeneration at present. Treatment plans, including dietary supplements, can help treat and slow the progression of AMD.
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