Macular degeneration is the top cause of blindness for adults older than 65 living in the United States, the National Institutes of Health reports. Scientists are still investigating the exact causes of macular degeneration. However, they do know that free radicals that damage the macula -- the middle of the retina portion of your eye -- can lead to destruction of macular cells and macular degeneration. A number of readily available vitamins can combat free radicals and decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration.
Vitamin C
A blend of antioxidant vitamins, including 500mg vitamin C, can help reduce the progression of macular degeneration, MayoClinic.com reports. Vitamin C is a noted antioxidant that can effectively destroy free radicals, renegade molecules that destroy healthy cells, in the retina. Vitamin C supplements are widely available, but you can easily reach 500mg of this powerful vitamin by eating vitamin C-rich foods such as tomatoes, oranges and red bell peppers every day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, may help people looking to reduce their macular degeneration risk. José I. Belda and colleagues at the University of Valencia's School of Medicine & Dentistry published research in the March 1999 issue of "Mechanisms of Ageing and Development" finding that low levels of circulating vitamin E in the body correlated with progression of macular degeneration. The aforementioned antioxidant blend contained 400 IU of vitamin E.
Lutein
Lutein is a potent carotenoid antioxidant that's found in high concentrations in macular tissue. However, lutein levels fall for those who don't get enough of it in their diet, increasing the vulnerability of macular cells, Health Castle reports. Lutein seems to be particularly effective in combating free radicals caused from light exposure. Lutein is abundant in plant foods such as spinach, kale, fruit and egg yolks. Health Castle claims that a minimum recommended amount of lutein for macular degeneration has yet to be established, but it will likely be around 6mg per day when it does become established -- the equivalent of 50g kale.
References
- "Mayo Clinic": Dry macular degeneration
- "University of Maryland Medical Center": Macular degeneration
- "Mechanisms of Ageing and Development": Serum vitamin E levels negatively correlate with severity of age-related macular degeneration
- "Health Castle": Benefits of Lutein in Eye Diseases
