Macular Degeneration

tebowingwithkimkar
Dec 30, 2017
12 min read

From The COMPLETE GUIDE to VITAMINS, HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS - The HOLISTIC PATH to GOOD HEALTH:

Macular degeneration is a serious eye disorder in which the macula, a tiny portion of the retina in the back of the eye, is damaged, causing blindness in the central vision while leaving peripheral vision intact. The damage to the retina can be caused by or associated with various factors, including smoking, sunlight, diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. This ocular disorder typically affects people over age 55, and the risk of getting this condition increases with age. Danger to the eye most often takes the form of deposits that build up under the macula or, less often, of an abnormal growth of blood vessels that leak fluid into the retina. Macular degeneration cannot be reversed (ME: though I read some online materials that state otherwise), but it can be stopped and risk for the disorder can be greatly reduced. It’s been shown, for example, that people who have high blood levels of antioxidants have a lower risk of developing macular degeneration.

The major risk factors for macular degeneration are smoking, aging, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and high blood pressure.The degeneration appears to be a result of free radical damage, similar to the type of damage that induces cataracts. However, decreased blood and oxygen supply to the retina is the key factor leading to macular degeneration.

Supplements, vitamins, minerals, & herbs recommended by doctors, health advocates & users to fight macular degeneration

Grape seed extract or pine bark extract As far as product selection and dosage goes, we recommend looking at a product’s stated ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value. Although there are many categories of antioxidants, researchers often measure antioxidant activity according to its ORAC value. In general, the higher the ORAC value of a food, the more capable that food is of exerting antioxidant protection against age-related conditions. The average North American diet provides less than 1,000 ORAC units per day. However, nutritional experts recommend an intake of 3,000 to 6,000 ORAC units per day, from a variety of sources. Many of the commercially available green food products are able to deliver this high ORAC value in one or two servings.

Fish Oil For general health, the recommended dosage is 1,000 mg EPA + DHA per day. Read the label carefully, as it is not 1,000 mg fish oil, but 1,000 mg EPA + DHA. For therapeutic purposes such as reducing inflammation or lowering triglyceride levels, the dosage recommendation is usually 3,000 mg EPA + DHA per day.

CoQ10

Vitamin C and E Dose for Vit E: 100 mg or 400 IU Dose for Vit C: 500 mg or more Beta-Carotene Dose: 15 mg Selenium Carotenes (especially lutein)

Lutein Dose: 15 mg

Therapeutic Considerations Treatment of the dry form and prevention of the wet form of ARMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) involve the use of antioxidants and natural substances that correct the underlying free radical damage to the macula. Reduce the risk of ARMD by focusing on preventive factors against atherosclerosis, increasing dietary intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, supplementing with nutritional and botanical antioxidants, and not smoking.

In particular, smoking tobacco greatly increases the risk of ARMD. Someone who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day for any significant length of time increases the risk of ARMD by two to three times that of someone who has never smoked. The risk does not return to the normal level until after someone has stopped smoking for 15 years.

There is also a strong genetic component to consider. While a number of genetic markers have been identified, a family history may be the easiest screening method. The lifetime risk of developing late-stage macular degeneration is 50% for people who have a relative with macular degeneration, vs. 12% for people who do not.

Interestingly, higher birth weight and a lower ratio of head circumference to birth weight are associated with significantly higher risk for ARMD.

Diet Foods to avoid in cases of ARMD are: • Fried and grilled foods, and other sources of free radicals • Animal fat • Processed baked goods • Beer

Important foods to emphasize are: • Yellow vegetables, green vegetables, tomato products • Flavonoid-rich berries (blueberries, blackberries, cherries, etc.) • Other fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and fish • Moderate amounts of red wine

Foods to include: • Numerous studies have found that those with high intakes of carotenoids have a lower risk of macular degeneration. Carotenoids are antioxidants found in yellow, orange, and dark green fruits and vegetables. They include beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. It is thought that these plant pigments protect the macula against UV light damage by dying the macula yellow (acting as natural sunglasses) and by neutralizing free radicals. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene. Kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are the best sources of the lutein and zeaxanthin. • Vitamins C and E and selenium can protect against macular degeneration. In one study, those with the highest levels of these antioxidants had a 70% lower risk of developing macular degeneration. The best food sources of vitamin C are berries (acai, blueberry, and cranberry), tomatoes, peppers, and citrus fruits. Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, and vegetable oils. Selenium is found in meat, seafood, grains, and vegetables. • Some research has found that eating fish at least 2X a week can reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Fish provide beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and also protect against heart disease.

Not surprisingly, the dietary factors important in the prevention and treatment of ARMD are the same as those that prevent other chronic degenerative diseases including atherosclerosis. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk for ARMD. Presumably this protection is the result of greater intake of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. However, various nonessential food components such as flavonoids and the carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene are proving to be even more significant in protecting against ARMD than traditional nutritional antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, zinc, and selenium. The macula, especially its central portion, the fovea, owes its yellow color to its high concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin. These yellow carotenoids function in preventing oxidative damage to the area of the retina responsible for fine vision and have a central role in protecting against the development of macular degeneration.

The carotene lycopene, a component of tomatoes and other red fruit and vegetables, is also protective. In one study, individuals with the lowest levels of lycopene content were twice as likely to have ARMD.

Moderate wine consumption is also associated with decreased risk of ARMD. Red wine contains anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that are probably responsible for its protective effect. It is important to note that beer consumption increases drusen accumulation and the risk of exudative macular disease and therefore should be avoided.

Just as in atherosclerosis, types of dietary fat appear to play a role in ARMD. A cohort study of 261 individuals with early or intermediate stages of ARMD revealed a two-fold increased risk of progression with a diet high in animal fat and commercial baked goods (sources of sugar and transfatty acids). In contrast, higher intakes of fish and nuts are associated with a lower risk of ARMD progression. A higher intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids was shown to be inversely associated with progression to ARMD over a period of 12 years.

Food good for the eyes are Kale (uncooked) and the second best is Kale (cooked), berries, carrots, squash, green peas, watercress, romaine lettuce. High intake of dark green veggies (spinach, broccoli, kale,etc) and orange colored veggies (carrots, bell peppers) are high in vitamins that are vital to eye repair and maintenance.

Nutritional Supplements In addition to a diet high in antioxidants, supplementation with nutritional antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, beta-carotene, and vitamin E is certainly important in the treatment and prevention of macular degeneration. Studies conducted by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group (AREDS) confirm that a combination of these nutrients will be likely to produce better results than any single nutrient alone, because other studies have demonstrated that none of these antioxidants alone accounts for the impaired antioxidant status in ARMD. Instead, the lower antioxidant status reflects decreases in a combination of nutrients. The specific amounts of antioxidants and zinc used in the study were 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg betacarotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 IU vitamin A), 80 mg zinc (as zinc oxide), and 2 mg copper (as cupric oxide). Note: 80 mg of zinc is a high dose, and can impair copper absorption, which is why it is important to also supplement with copper.

Several other studies utilizing various commercially available broad-based antioxidant formulas have shown promising results.

B vitamins are also important. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 5,442 female health care professionals 40 years or older with preexisting cardiovascular disease or three or more cardiovascular disease risk factors randomly received a combination of folic acid (2.5 mg per day), vitamin B6 (50 mg per day), and vitamin B12 (1 mg per day) or a placebo. After an average of 7.3 years of treatment and follow-up, there were 55 cases of ARMD in the combination treatment group and 82 in the placebo group. There were 26 cases of more severe ARMD in the combination treatment group and 44 in the placebo group. These results indicate a 34% and 41% reduced relative risk, respectively.

Zinc Zinc plays an essential role in the metabolism of the retina, and the elderly are at high risk for zinc deficiency.

• The treatment goals in the dry form and prevention of the wet form involve the use of antioxidants and natural substances that protect against free radical damage and improve blood and oxygen supply to the macula. • A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a greatly lowered risk for macular degeneration. • In addition to a high-lutein diet, supplementation with additional lutein is of benefit. • Antioxidant formulas have been shown to halt and even reverse macular degeneration.

Spanish Plum (Sineguelas)

This prevents macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an age-related condition that affects the eyes. As the delicate tissues of the eyes degenerate due to old age, a person may have compromised sight, or may eventually even become blind. Research has shown that those who consume about 3 servings of plums regularly are able to prevent macular degeneration. The incidence of this disease in plum-eating populations has been reported as 36% lower than the general population.

Flavonoid-Rich Extracts Flavonoid-rich extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), ginkgo biloba (Dosage: 60 mg three or four times daily), grape seed, or pine bark (e.g., Pycnogenol) offer significant benefits in the prevention and treatment of ARMD. In addition to exerting excellent antioxidant activity, all of these extracts have been shown to have positive effects on retinal blood flow and function. Clinical studies of humans have demonstrated that all three are also capable of halting the progressive visual loss of dry ARMD and possibly even improving visual function. Of the three, bilberry extracts standardized to contain 25% anthocyanidins appear to be the most useful. The anthocyanosides of bilberry have a very strong affinity for the retinal pigmented epithelium, reinforcing the collagen structures of the retina and preventing free radical damage.

Because the RPE is the portion of the eye affected in ARMD, bilberry anthocyanosides appear to be ideal therapeutic agents for the disorder. However, ginkgo biloba extract (24% ginkgo flavonglycoside content) is perhaps a better choice if a person is also showing signs of decreased blood flow to the brain.

Saffron supplement This is sold at Healthy Options but it's not cheap. Remember that by stabilizing the effect of saffron after longer term supplementation means that the potency of saffron stays the same and does not decline over long time consumption. In fact once patients stopped taking the saffron pill, the effects slowly faded away. Saffron is a protecting retina of the eye so you need it every day for eye health. The daily dose needed is 20 mg of high quality saffron. As for high quality saffron product for macular degeneration look for one made with saffron stigma powder. Other eye care supplements are Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Eyebright, Lutein, Vitamin D3, fish oil (krill oil is better but more pricey), zinc, Resveratrol, selenium & Zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are macular pigments, naturally concentrated in macula of the eye. Our body cannot synthesize these important compounds so we need to take them via foods (green leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale) or take supplements that have lutein/zeaxanthin. A combo of CoQ10, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and fish oil has been shown in several studies to both halt and partially reverse vision problems caused by macular degeneration. FYI: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) was rare as late as 1980. And in recent decades there has been a 1000% increase! Dr. Paul Beaumont, one of the world's foremost food researchers, has found that people who eat higher amounts of vegetable oils (corn, soybean, safflower, etc) lose their vision 3-8 times faster, and have twice the risk of developing macular degeneration. A compound known as HNE forms when vegetable oils are heated. HNE attacks the arteries, nerves, and eye tissue. It has been implicated in hardening of the arteries, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, liver disease, as well as AMD. Processed vegetable oils are dangerous to your health and should not be used at all. Read this TESTIMONIAL (an EYE OPENER, so to speak, pun intended):

Macular Degeneration Reversed!! Hi everyone! My grandmother is 71 years old and has had the dry type of Macular Degeneration for over 5 years. Every year it got worse. The doctors told her there was nothing that could be done, basically sending her home to go blind. So I decided to do a ton of research on the subject. I read a bunch of books and many studies on the net of how people have stopped and in most cases reversed MD (macular degeneration) and other common eye diseases. I also purchased Dr. Lorraine Days CD on MD. All my research basically said the same thing: High intake of dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli,kale, etc) and orange colored veggies (carrots, can't remember the others) that are high in vitamins that are vital to eye repair and maintenance. Knowing that my grandmother wasn't going to change her diet dramatically, I opted to get her high doses of the same supplements found in those foods. This is what I got her to take daily: 1. Lutein and ZEAXANTHIN .........Highest dose available 2. Selenium.......................Highest dose available 3. Vitamin C.....................Highest does possible (up to 4000 mg, you'll know you're taking too much if you get diarrhea) 4. Beta-Carotene.................Highest dose available 5. Zinc...........................Highest dose available 6. Vitamine E.....................Highest dose available My grandmother took this everyday for 4-6 months, and last week she went back for her normal eye checkup to see her progress, and sure enough, not only did the macular degeneration stopped but her eye sight has improved, and they said that her lens wasn't thinning but instead was getting thicker (I'm not sure if they said the lens or the retina, or something else, I apologize). This was only after 4-6 months of use. So needless to say we are all very happy and excited, and I have proved to myself that the body can heal itself when given the right tools, that less than what I can say for the doctors that told her there was nothing she could do. PLEASE TRY THIS IT REALLY WORKS. I'm not a doctor, but I've done a lot of research on the subject. Please just double check with your doctor or nutritionist about these vitamins before taking them in HIGH DOSES. I want to pass this on so others can help themselves when no one else seems to be able to. Update to this, it has now been 2 years, and 2 more checkups, and every year her eyesight continues to improve. IT IS ACTUALLY REVERSING!!!

Here's another TESTIMONIAL:

Some years ago I was diagnosed with cataract in one eye and the retina starting to tear in the other. I went to the chemist on the corner of Toogood and Bruce Hwy. It's in that small complex with the Drs surgery. They used to have a range of herbal mixtures that they made up. I had their standard eye one with silica added. Plus I bought a fresh 100% blueberry juice (just from the supermarket). I was told to eat 1 cup of blueberries a day and as you know the price of blueberries the next best thing was juice. I took 100 mls a day, 5 days a week. Unfortunately I can't remember how long I took them for but it was some months. Shifted to Vic and new specialist says there is no damage to the retina and the cataract (which was advanced at the time for my age) is now at a state that is not abnormal for my age. The chemist used to have their own herbalist you could talk to and they would then make a mix up for you.

In their book, "People's Pharmacy: Home Remedies" by Joe and Terry Graden, one person wrote in saying that his 78 year old wife was cured of Macular Degeneration by taking bilberry fruit capsules. She was cured within a few years of taking the pills. Bilberry has been used to improve night vision; to prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma; to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids; to prevent hemorrhage after surgery; and to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy & myopia. Other uses for bilberry include decreasing diarrhea, dyspepsia in adults or children, controlling insulin levels, as a diuretic and as a urinary antiseptic. Avoid Turmeric Avoiding turmeric may be important for individuals with macular degeneration, as the supplement may cause eye sensitivity. Also avoid taking Ibuprofen! If you need a pain killer the best pain killer that works like morphine according to Ted's remedies is melatonin: 5mg at AM 5mg at noon and 10 mg at night before bedtime. Ted is the number one resource person in Earth Clinic.