Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the macula retina, an oval shaped disc in the back of the eye which is used for fine vision such as recognizing faces and reading. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, it affects about 20% of the over 65’s. Macular degeneration symptoms are painless, typically the peripheral vision stays in focus but dark and blurry areas appear in the centre of vision which distorts straight lines making doing activities such as reading and driving difficult.

Studies have shown that those people who suffer from macular degeneration have 70% less of the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein in their eyes. To reduce the rise of developing macular degeneration increase yellow-orange and dark green leafy vegetables and fruit such as carrots, sweetcorn, kale and spinach which are high in zeaxanthin and lutein in the diet. Eating tomatoes which is rich in another carotenoid lycopene and bilberry extracts which is high in antioxidants that increase blood flow to the retina would be beneficial. Include plenty of oily fish in the diet and cut down on saturated fats and if you are a smoker then try to quit.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from macular degeneration.

Bilberry

Ginkgo biloba

Grapeseed extract

Lutein

Multivitamins and multiminerals

Pine bark extract

Selenium

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Zeaxanthin

Zinc

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

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