According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce risk for age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55. The CDC estimates that 1.8 million Americans over the age of 40 are affected by macular degeneration. The Mayo Clinic website reports that macular degeneration causes vision loss in the center of the field of vision, and there is currently no treatment that can reverse macular degeneration. Supplements supply many of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are required for proper health and function, and they can be used as a form of prevention for macular degeneration.
Macular Degeneration
The experts at the Mayo Clinic state that macular degeneration is defined by deterioration of the macular tissue in the center of the retina. The National Library of Medicine states that macular degeneration is painless but may cause the macular tissue to die inside the eye, which destroys the sharp central vision of the eye. Treatment for this condition is based on slowing vision loss rather than restoring vision, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Significance
Supplements are designed to fill in the gaps when it comes to nutrition in the human body. Eating a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables will provide ample supplies of nutrients. Supplements are designed to be added to a healthy diet and not used as a replacement for a healthy diet. In addition to providing the necessary nutrients for optimal health, supplements can provide antioxidants.
Antioxidants
The Harvard School of Public Health states that the body is under attack by chemicals called free radicals. Harvard states that free radicals are a result of turning food into energy, and they are capable of damaging cells and genetic material. They also state that antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals. Harvard mentions that there are thousands of different substances that can act as antioxidants including familiar ones like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and other related carotenoids. Some supplements contain antioxidants that can be used to fight free radical damage. Harvard reports that some evidence exists that shows promise in protection against the development of macular degeneration, using a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and zinc.
Considerations
Other supplements have shown promise in preventing macular degeneration. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people who eat fish are less likely to have macular degeneration because of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil and can also be found in supplement form.
Expert Insight
Supplementation is popular in America and can provide necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed by the body for proper function. Supplements should always be used to fill in the gaps in a nutrition plan and never as a replacement for healthy natural foods. To prevent macular degeneration, it is important to eat a diet that includes a high proportion of fruits and vegetables and fish with high content of omega-3 fatty acids like salmon. If these types of foods are difficult to eat regularly, then taking supplements with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals is essential to help the body prevent deterioration of vision.
References
- American Macular Degeneration Foundation George Torrey Ph.D.: Improved Nutrition May Reduce the Risk of Macular Degeneration
- CDC: Vision Health Common Eye Disorders
- The Harvard School of Public Health: Antioxidants Beyond the Hype
- Mayo Clinic Website: Dry Macular Degeneration
- National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus Macular Degeneration
- The University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
