An extensive clinical trial has demonstrated that taking high doses of antioxidant vitamins and minerals helps slow the progress of advanced age-related macular degeneration – one of the main causes of irreversible blindness. This effect was especially noticed among individuals who already had deposits under the retina known as drusen or who are at high risk of developing them.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin commonly found in animal foods and certain plant foods, and is essential for vision, cell differentiation and cell growth. Rhodopsin pigment found within rod and cone cells of the retina requires sufficient amounts of Vitamin A for proper functioning; without sufficient quantities available vision becomes impaired.

Research indicates that diets abundant with natural sources of vitamin A may lower the risk of wet macular degeneration. High intakes of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin appear to be related to reduced rates of wet macular degeneration caused by abnormal growth of new blood vessels that leak fluid, ultimately damaging macula cells.

Researchers do not yet fully understand what causes wet macular degeneration; however, factors may include macular tissue thinnin’ out and deposits accumulating in retinal blood vessels. Furthermore, it could be possible that there’s a genetic component to this form of eye condition.

This review assessed seven randomised trials that compared an antioxidant vitamin and/or mineral supplement with placebo for people living with age-related macular degeneration. There were 4119 participants across these seven trials; two showed no benefit and five did. Safety outcomes included hospitalisation for genitourinary issues among those taking zinc; yellowing of skin occurred more frequently among those receiving antioxidant micronutrients.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin found in various food sources and widely ingested by humans. It plays an essential role in bone, blood vessel and skin formation and maintenance as well as an antioxidant role and healthy immune function. According to studies, Vitamin C was shown to slow moderate and advanced age-related macular degeneration progression while protecting against cataracts development along with lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation. Furthermore, studies suggest it lowers risks of cardiovascular disease among smokers by lowering cholesterol.

Studies indicate that diets high in Vitamin C may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and other eye conditions such as cataracts. This effect is even stronger when combined with nutrients like Zinc, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids; conversely a diet devoid of Vitamin C increases your risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.

Consuming a diverse array of colourful fruits and vegetables is essential to overall wellness. A diet rich in spinach, kale, carrots, blueberries and tomatoes provides high concentrations of the vitamins and minerals essential for supporting eye health, while foods with a lower glycemic index can lower diabetes risks that could otherwise lead to macular degeneration and other eye issues. If you need advice about what food items may best fit into your lifestyle or health goals speak with your physician immediately.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble antioxidant that works to prevent damage to cell membrane lipids due to oxidation. It is found in small amounts in foods such as nuts and seeds, oils and green vegetables as well as supplements available on the market.

Thought to help protect against heart disease by limiting LDL-cholesterol oxidation and accumulation in arteries. Furthermore, it reduces blood clotting formation that may lead to coronary artery blockages as well as reduce inflammatory prostaglandin production that plays a part in arterial blockages; and enhances warfarin’s effectiveness (an anticoagulant medication).

Vitamin E serves many essential purposes beyond its antioxidant capabilities, including acting as an antiinflammatory and treating various neurologic disorders such as axonal degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, it plays an essential role in producing sperm while supporting red blood cell production levels particularly among premature infants or those with rare disorders of fat metabolism.

Vitamin E may help protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, two leading causes of irreversible blindness among people over 60. Further research needs to be conducted, however. Large trials have not confirmed these claims: high-dose vitamin E supplements did not show significant reductions in eye or heart diseases or mortality risk compared with lower dose supplements in any study conducted; one found they even increased overall mortality risk!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Your macula is responsible for controlling central vision. It is affected by numerous nutrients found in fruit and vegetables such as lutein and zeaxanthin; having a diet rich in these is essential for slowing macular degeneration and maintaining high levels of vision.

Omega-3 fatty acids have long been touted for their numerous health advantages, with studies linking them with reduced rates of heart disease, depression, dementia and arthritis. Unfortunately, however, our bodies don’t produce these fats naturally so they must come from our diet or supplements – the two primary omega-3s being docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), found mostly in fish; alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found mostly in vegetable oils but also found in vegetable oils walnuts flaxseed and dark leafy vegetables such as spinach; our bodies can convert ALA to DHA/EPA but less efficiently than its counterparts docosahexaenoic acids DHA/EPA respectively.

Studies have demonstrated that diets rich in Omega-3 and fish may help lower the risk of atrophic dry macular degeneration, which is characterized by blurred or dimmed vision, as well as reduce risks related to wet macular degeneration known as neovascular macular degeneration which involves bleeding underneath the retina and impairs vision. Furthermore, smoking cessation and lower intakes of saturated and trans-fatty acids could prevent macular degeneration as well.

Carrots

Carrots contain beta-carotene, which our bodies transform into vitamin A for eye and immune system health and may reduce cancer risks. Too many carrots consumed at once can cause vitamin A toxicity which manifests with symptoms including dry skin, joint pain, fatigue and headaches as well as potential yellowing of skin and liver damage.

Carrots contain moderate levels of lectins, a type of protein that may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals. A one-cup serving contains approximately 7 milligrams of lectin; therefore, carrots should not be seen as an abundant source of this compound.

Carrots are not only an excellent source of Vitamin A, but are also an excellent source of fibre, potassium and vitamins C and K – not to mention being low in calories and fat!

To maximize nutritional value, select crisp and deep-coloured carrots with their green tops still attached, while avoiding those that have become soft, wilted or turning brown. Carrots are highly susceptible to disease and rot in storage conditions such as gray mold rot (Botrytis), watery soft rot (Sclerotinia), crater rot (Rhizoctonia), Fusarium soft rot and Fusarium Wilt (Stemphylium). However, proper storage conditions such as using new or disinfected containers pre-cooling the carrots while maintaining temperatures around 32 F for optimal storage conditions – other preventive measures include crop rotation, soil management practices as well as watering schedules to avoid future issues.

Eggs

After years of controversy surrounding cholesterol consumption, the American Heart Association has officially acknowledged eggs as part of healthier nutrition. Not only are eggs high in protein content; they’re also packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as lutein and zeaxanthin which act as powerful antioxidants to prevent macular degeneration – one of the main causes of blindness among people over 65 – plus eggs contain choline for healthy brain development in both pregnant women and their offspring during life.

Studies have demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin significantly increase the amount of blue light absorbed by retina, protecting it from damage while improving visual acuity in low light environments. Increased levels of these carotenoids have also been linked with reduced cataract and AMD risks and may help slow their progression.

To increase your intake of lutein and zeaxanthin, incorporate leafy green vegetables into one or more meals daily, along with nuts as snacks. Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines are another great source. If these foods don’t suffice, supplements containing both lutein and zeaxanthin or both might be a better solution – these can often be found at health food stores. Ideally though, eating well balanced meals that include these nutrients in their natural forms would suffice; avoid sugary beverages and processed foods if possible and instead opt for whole grain foods, lean meats lean meats beans and nuts daily to ensure adequate zinc, folic acid, vitamin C levels in addition to lutein/zeaxanthin/.